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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
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informative
inspiring
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X would be a great story even if it were fiction, bearing the grandeur of liturgical myth or epic poetry. At its core, it is the story of a man who, facing poor conditions and immense challenges, reinvents himself many times over. All the while, it is the life's account of one of the most influential people in American history.
The first nine chapters focus on various periods in Malcolm's life before his incarceration at 20 years old. This section seems to stretch on at times as the reader waits in anticipation for the hustling Malcolm Little to reemerge as the famed activist Malcolm X. However, beyond being interesting in their own right, these early chapters are essential to understanding how Malcolm came to understand the role of systemic racism in his life and why he was later so effective in mobilizing Black Americans. It also presents some really fascinating insights into why Malcolm became the figure Americans knew and loved, hated, or feared.
The first nine chapters focus on various periods in Malcolm's life before his incarceration at 20 years old. This section seems to stretch on at times as the reader waits in anticipation for the hustling Malcolm Little to reemerge as the famed activist Malcolm X. However, beyond being interesting in their own right, these early chapters are essential to understanding how Malcolm came to understand the role of systemic racism in his life and why he was later so effective in mobilizing Black Americans. It also presents some really fascinating insights into why Malcolm became the figure Americans knew and loved, hated, or feared.
I remember well how my mother asked me why I couldn't be a nice boy like Wilfred; but I would think to myself that Wilfred, for being so nice and quiet, often stayed hungry. So early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.
The next seven chapters chronicle Malcolm's introduction to the Nation of Islam while incarcerated, his efforts to recruit Black Americans and spread the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, and the betrayal of his dedication by his idol, motivated by envy of his ascent. Malcolm's account of his revelations about white supremacy is incredibly captivating, and even his belief in some of the misguided lessons he is taught (primarily those that lean into biological determinism) feels motivated by all that has come before in his life. Not only does this enlightenment reframe Malcolm's entire adolescence, but it propels him with great urgency to learn, to educate, and to bring about change. From here, we get to hear the perspective of the influential and polarizing figure who we know Malcolm X to have been.
In the pivotal final three chapters, Malcolm reinvents himself once more, after his impending exile from the Nation of Islam compels him to perform Hajj. In Mecca, as well as many other locations in Africa and the Middle East, Malcolm's conception of race, religion, and humanity is entirely upended as he witnesses and experiences genuine kinship among people of all races. It is with this newfound perspective that Malcolm returns to the United States with a more critical understanding of how people are indoctrinated into racist ideologies and with a pan-African perspective on solidarity and liberation.
It isn't the American white man who is a racist, but it's the American political, economic, and social atmosphere that automatically nourishes a racist psychology in the white man.
Alex Haley began interviewing Malcolm X for this autobiography in 1963 and continued to collaborate with him until days before his assassination in 1965. The great tragedy of this book echoes through every chapter and leaves it feeling incomplete, like the origin story of a hero cut off before they reveal the cape under their clothes. Malcolm X's criticism of contemporary activists, his mobilization of Black Americans, and even his death have been pivotal to Black liberation movements and organizations such as the Black Panther Party. In fact, his legacy was so influential to these movements that it caught me by surprise that Malcolm X did not live to engage in them. This is what is missing from his autobiography, what had to be missing because of his death at 39 years old; noticing and feeling this absence is important in its own right.
This book does precisely what an autobiography should: it recounts the story of its titular figure's entire life in a compelling, cohesive, and insightful manner. If you are looking for a detailed how-to guide on anti-racist activism, there are plenty of books you should check out. But if you want to hear a story of repeated metamorphosis and dedication to uplifting one's people, as told by one of the most prominent advocates for human rights to ever exist, I highly recommend The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Police brutality
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Racial slurs, Slavery, Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, Antisemitism
I really enjoyed this! I expected it to be kind of dull, but it’s one of the best memoirs I’ve read (maybe because this is a written version of an oral telling of his life story, and the author is an actual writer). Either way, I would recommend to people who are interested in learning more about important Black activists.
For a while, I really enjoyed reading this book. I soak up as much literature as I can that teaches about any oppressed or marginalized population, so much of the subject matter covered here is my cup of tea. What’s more, I relate to Malcolm’s personality—very tough, no-nonsense, and we both had less than stellar childhoods.
I am white, but being an immigrant gives me a specific perspective, and it didn’t really bother me to hear him call white people “devils” as practically a pronoun. It was a tad extreme, but the man was all-or-nothing, and given what he went through and saw others experience, I am certainly not going to admonish him for that.
Malcolm was pretty confused about his views, a fact he embraced because he was just that straightforward of a person. But the fact is, I couldn’t grasp whether he held any given opinion, and when he had stopped to believe it, if that were the case. Maybe this was a flaw in the way the book was written (as you’ll understand after reading Haley’s epilogue).
I think Malcolm took the ‘militant’ thing a little far. It especially made me uncomfortable when he lashed out at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who didn’t respond in kind and didn’t deserve it.
Malcolm’s views on women also upset me. I am a feminist. He went to great lengths talking about how certain women were evil and had done him wrong and how they were weak. First, he sounded as if wounded after a breakup (“she was so mean to me!”), and then it baffled me. How could he claim woman’s nature was to be weak, when almost every woman close to him (mother, wife, sister, to name a small few) were the most competent, toughest, clearest-headed people he knew? I can’t even theorize because I just don’t get it.
Malcolm’s theory that King James wrote all of the Shakespeare plays really struck me; I just think he might have been right! It’s worth a little research if you’re curious and not sure what I’m talking about.
I am white, but being an immigrant gives me a specific perspective, and it didn’t really bother me to hear him call white people “devils” as practically a pronoun. It was a tad extreme, but the man was all-or-nothing, and given what he went through and saw others experience, I am certainly not going to admonish him for that.
Malcolm was pretty confused about his views, a fact he embraced because he was just that straightforward of a person. But the fact is, I couldn’t grasp whether he held any given opinion, and when he had stopped to believe it, if that were the case. Maybe this was a flaw in the way the book was written (as you’ll understand after reading Haley’s epilogue).
I think Malcolm took the ‘militant’ thing a little far. It especially made me uncomfortable when he lashed out at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who didn’t respond in kind and didn’t deserve it.
Malcolm’s views on women also upset me. I am a feminist. He went to great lengths talking about how certain women were evil and had done him wrong and how they were weak. First, he sounded as if wounded after a breakup (“she was so mean to me!”), and then it baffled me. How could he claim woman’s nature was to be weak, when almost every woman close to him (mother, wife, sister, to name a small few) were the most competent, toughest, clearest-headed people he knew? I can’t even theorize because I just don’t get it.
Malcolm’s theory that King James wrote all of the Shakespeare plays really struck me; I just think he might have been right! It’s worth a little research if you’re curious and not sure what I’m talking about.
informative
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medium-paced
The book is a compelling story of Malcolm X, offering a well-documented account of his sacrifices and accomplishments. It highlights the legacy he left behind as one of the most influential Black leaders the world has ever seen.
emotional
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inspiring
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medium-paced
deeply moving and necessary for all Americans to begin understanding our society. What an incredible man and a book with the most necessary message for all Americans.
challenging
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reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Crazy that this man is not more known in our history. What a journey his life had!