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andrewnguyen 's review for:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
by Malcolm X, Alex Haley
What a wonderful read this was.
I only have a vague recollection of Malcolm X from history classes. I thought of Malcolm X as militant, but didn't really know any of the details. This book is a fascinating look into the psyche and evolution of black nationalism.
The most fascinating part of this book is the timeline.
This autobiography is based on a series of interviews held with Malcolm X from 1963 to 1965. During that period, Malcolm X became the face of black nationalist movement, was expelled from The Nation of Islam and then went on a pilgrimage to Mecca where he ended his unconditional hatred of white people. Malcolm X refused to change any of the early language in the biography, this section mostly contains praise for the Nation of Islam and the Nation of Islam's leader, Elijah Muhammed. As Malcolm's relationship with Elijah Muhammed unfurls, we get to watch Malcolm's views on Islam and race evolve alongside it.
There is something really powerful about this structure. In the first half of the book, you see a man who is absolutely convinced of his mission and vision. But with just one event, a small crack appears in Malcolm's foundational belief. It's a fascinating pleasure to see it unfurl. This revelation was also totally unexpected.
The very first part of the autobiography is a little more what I expect from an autobiography: a tale of Malcolm's relationship with race in Michigan, Boston and Harlem. It then chronicles his time in prison and how he came to follow Elijah Muhammed. The first chapters are absolutely bonkers - Malcolm X was wild. But better than just the story, you get a real feeling for Malcolm's relationship with race.
All of his upbringing and time in jail is told objectively and without pulling any punches on his old self. This beginning section on childhood upbringing, hustling and jail on its own make this a fantastic read. The last third of the book propel it into must-read territory.
I only have a vague recollection of Malcolm X from history classes. I thought of Malcolm X as militant, but didn't really know any of the details. This book is a fascinating look into the psyche and evolution of black nationalism.
The most fascinating part of this book is the timeline.
This autobiography is based on a series of interviews held with Malcolm X from 1963 to 1965. During that period, Malcolm X became the face of black nationalist movement, was expelled from The Nation of Islam and then went on a pilgrimage to Mecca where he ended his unconditional hatred of white people. Malcolm X refused to change any of the early language in the biography, this section mostly contains praise for the Nation of Islam and the Nation of Islam's leader, Elijah Muhammed. As Malcolm's relationship with Elijah Muhammed unfurls, we get to watch Malcolm's views on Islam and race evolve alongside it.
There is something really powerful about this structure. In the first half of the book, you see a man who is absolutely convinced of his mission and vision. But with just one event, a small crack appears in Malcolm's foundational belief. It's a fascinating pleasure to see it unfurl. This revelation was also totally unexpected.
The very first part of the autobiography is a little more what I expect from an autobiography: a tale of Malcolm's relationship with race in Michigan, Boston and Harlem. It then chronicles his time in prison and how he came to follow Elijah Muhammed. The first chapters are absolutely bonkers - Malcolm X was wild. But better than just the story, you get a real feeling for Malcolm's relationship with race.
All of his upbringing and time in jail is told objectively and without pulling any punches on his old self. This beginning section on childhood upbringing, hustling and jail on its own make this a fantastic read. The last third of the book propel it into must-read territory.