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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Unrelenting and Unshakeable
A true account of what it truly means to be a man, if there ever could be a definition.
Inspiration that even though its been 50+ years since his passing and this book's publishing stands true in all its essence even to do this day.
It takes a lot of effort for a common man to achieve greatness, it takes double the effort when you decide to take a nose dive to the lowest of rock bottoms before beginning your climb. And it would take even double that when society has decided to barely see you as human beings, but to have achieved this climb, and done so with such grace, knowingly facing his killers unflinchingly, and without compromise is without a doubt something every person wanting to make a change in the system needs to encompass.
Its honestly a blessing that this book exists, and while it doesn't do justice, and is cut short from being able to witness the true greatness that El Hajj Shabazz Malik could have accomplished, not to mention the most often skipped Epilogue reveals so much more than what the Autobiography alone could have, and its so true, that its almost impossible to write an autobiography because a person changes all the time, so the best it can do is track the changes.
Its honestly a shame that his name is disparaged so often as an inciter of violence or anything even remotely not working towards the greater good.
An exemplary beacon of what it means to give people their rights, and a raw view of what oppression leads to and apart from all that, what one can achieve if they truly put their heart and mind to it.
Theres so much more I could say about the greatness of this book, but Id probably fall short, my only reason Im giving this a 4 star instead of a 5 is because as someone who isn't aware of all the events and personalities involved in the history, a lot of it didn't quite get captured for me the same as it may have for others, but that's a personal issue on my end and not entirely the flaw of the book. Maybe a slight gripe on despite how much Islam framed his life, it didn't get quite the same coverage and understanding and a lot of it was seen as Black Muslims when actually it was referring to Nation of Islam, but again its not something that can be nuanced from an outsiders perspective, and while that may misguide some from understanding properly, it is what it is.
A true account of what it truly means to be a man, if there ever could be a definition.
Inspiration that even though its been 50+ years since his passing and this book's publishing stands true in all its essence even to do this day.
It takes a lot of effort for a common man to achieve greatness, it takes double the effort when you decide to take a nose dive to the lowest of rock bottoms before beginning your climb. And it would take even double that when society has decided to barely see you as human beings, but to have achieved this climb, and done so with such grace, knowingly facing his killers unflinchingly, and without compromise is without a doubt something every person wanting to make a change in the system needs to encompass.
Its honestly a blessing that this book exists, and while it doesn't do justice, and is cut short from being able to witness the true greatness that El Hajj Shabazz Malik could have accomplished, not to mention the most often skipped Epilogue reveals so much more than what the Autobiography alone could have, and its so true, that its almost impossible to write an autobiography because a person changes all the time, so the best it can do is track the changes.
Its honestly a shame that his name is disparaged so often as an inciter of violence or anything even remotely not working towards the greater good.
An exemplary beacon of what it means to give people their rights, and a raw view of what oppression leads to and apart from all that, what one can achieve if they truly put their heart and mind to it.
Theres so much more I could say about the greatness of this book, but Id probably fall short, my only reason Im giving this a 4 star instead of a 5 is because as someone who isn't aware of all the events and personalities involved in the history, a lot of it didn't quite get captured for me the same as it may have for others, but that's a personal issue on my end and not entirely the flaw of the book. Maybe a slight gripe on despite how much Islam framed his life, it didn't get quite the same coverage and understanding and a lot of it was seen as Black Muslims when actually it was referring to Nation of Islam, but again its not something that can be nuanced from an outsiders perspective, and while that may misguide some from understanding properly, it is what it is.
An important book to read in helping to understand the climate in the U.S., both in the 1960s as well as now with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Whether or not you agree with his politics, Malcolm X lived a life worth reading about. In this book, Alex Haley weaves together a narrative with clear themes and dramatic pacing that’s still true to the infectiously charming, witty, and candid Malcolm X you can find in the videos of him still circulating today. He had an unparalleled strength of will that drove his metamorphosis from a man struggling to survive in a world of poverty and crime to an internationally recognized human rights leader.
Through years of intimate interviews, Haley also lifts the curtain of Malcolm X’s celebrity status to reveal the impact of his grueling schedule on himself and his loved ones. And in the way he holds up a mirror to America, Malcolm X bestows upon the reader stories that need to be reconciled for a complete and credible understanding of American society.
This is a great book about a great man. Read it.
Through years of intimate interviews, Haley also lifts the curtain of Malcolm X’s celebrity status to reveal the impact of his grueling schedule on himself and his loved ones. And in the way he holds up a mirror to America, Malcolm X bestows upon the reader stories that need to be reconciled for a complete and credible understanding of American society.
This is a great book about a great man. Read it.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is such a powerful book. It ought to be a must read for everyone today.
It tells about the powerful transformation that Malcolm X went through, from a criminal to a racist "Black Muslim" to true enlightenment and hope for a true brotherhood.
It dispelled so many of my ignorant beliefs concerning Malcolm X. I had been taught that he was basically the "opposite of Martin Luther King", which, for a while, was true. But we are not taught about how he turned around, and were brave enough, to change his beliefs. Not many people are that brave, most will stick to what they know, go the safe way. Quite probably, Malcolm X's courage, were the cause of his assassination. He broke with the Nation of Islam, and by the end of his life he was not violent enough for some, and not pacifist enough for others. But, altogether, he was an amazing man, who we could all learn so much from, and his story deservers to be told and heard by everyone - his story NEEDS to be told and heard by everyone.
It tells about the powerful transformation that Malcolm X went through, from a criminal to a racist "Black Muslim" to true enlightenment and hope for a true brotherhood.
It dispelled so many of my ignorant beliefs concerning Malcolm X. I had been taught that he was basically the "opposite of Martin Luther King", which, for a while, was true. But we are not taught about how he turned around, and were brave enough, to change his beliefs. Not many people are that brave, most will stick to what they know, go the safe way. Quite probably, Malcolm X's courage, were the cause of his assassination. He broke with the Nation of Islam, and by the end of his life he was not violent enough for some, and not pacifist enough for others. But, altogether, he was an amazing man, who we could all learn so much from, and his story deservers to be told and heard by everyone - his story NEEDS to be told and heard by everyone.
I read this book in 6th grade for an English book report and will never forget it. Malcolm X was such an amazing man, pushing the barriers (along with many others) and paying the price of his life so that freedom could be for everyone. Definitely an amazing read.
This was a gratifying read - the final chapter - with his foresight on how his words would be twisted and what it meant to build solidarity - made the book even more worthwhile.
This book was amazing. Will forever for back to rereading.
I would like to give it 4.5 stars. The book really felt like the conversations Mr. Haley describes
This is a must read for everyone!!!! This is well rounded from his birth to untimely death. Well written and an easy read.
EXCELLENT.
Fascinating - among other things - to read about Malcolm X's continual evolution & development of thought & philosophy, etc. all throughout his life. Also highly valuable to get some clarification on some of the controversy I had sensed (via osmosis) surrounding him, and to hear Malcolm's own version of things straight from the man himself (via Alex Haley). I think maybe a lot of white people who don't know that much about his life, or haven't read his story, sort of have a vague assumption that Malcolm X can be largely dismissed as an advocate of violence. Reading this book reveals otherwise. As a white person myself, it's taken me too long (not until age 25) to get around to reading this - but I am very glad that I finally did.
Also, as a Christian, I found the final chapter ("1965") of the autobiography especially significant (and painful!) in its searingly still-accurate indictment of American Christianity. This last chapter could be read by itself as a stand-alone for those readers who are interested in Malcolm X's lifework & legacy but don't currently feel up to the task of committing themselves to (another! After "Roots") 500 pages of a good-but-long book penned by Alex Haley.
At this moment (having just finished the book a few minutes ago), I now/currently regard Malcolm X as the greatest American that has ever lived, that I know of - with Dr. King being a very close second. I may revise that thought later, but it's my immediate visceral reaction to completing this riveting biography just now.
Fascinating - among other things - to read about Malcolm X's continual evolution & development of thought & philosophy, etc. all throughout his life. Also highly valuable to get some clarification on some of the controversy I had sensed (via osmosis) surrounding him, and to hear Malcolm's own version of things straight from the man himself (via Alex Haley). I think maybe a lot of white people who don't know that much about his life, or haven't read his story, sort of have a vague assumption that Malcolm X can be largely dismissed as an advocate of violence. Reading this book reveals otherwise. As a white person myself, it's taken me too long (not until age 25) to get around to reading this - but I am very glad that I finally did.
Also, as a Christian, I found the final chapter ("1965") of the autobiography especially significant (and painful!) in its searingly still-accurate indictment of American Christianity. This last chapter could be read by itself as a stand-alone for those readers who are interested in Malcolm X's lifework & legacy but don't currently feel up to the task of committing themselves to (another! After "Roots") 500 pages of a good-but-long book penned by Alex Haley.
At this moment (having just finished the book a few minutes ago), I now/currently regard Malcolm X as the greatest American that has ever lived, that I know of - with Dr. King being a very close second. I may revise that thought later, but it's my immediate visceral reaction to completing this riveting biography just now.