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bekahkablack 's review for:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
by Malcolm X, Alex Haley
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.