Malcolm X

Alex Haley

Ossie Davis

Malcolm Little

The Black leader discusses his political philosophy and reveals details of his life, shedding light on the ideas that enabled him to gain the allegiance of a still growing percentage of the Black population

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

ONE OF TIME’S TEN MOST IMPORTANT NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY In the searing pages of this classic autobiography, originally published in 1964, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and anti-integrationist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Black Muslim movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American Dream, and the inherent racism in a society that denies its nonwhite citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time. The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive statement of a movement and a man whose work was never completed but whose message is timeless. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand America. Praise for The Autobiography of Malcolm X “Extraordinary . . . a brilliant, painful, important book.”—The New York Times “This book will have a permanent place in the literature of the Afro-American struggle.”—I. F. Stone

Jena

I know that societies have killed the people who have helped to change those societies. And if i can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America— then, all of the credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.

I don’t go for non-violence if it also means a delayed solution. To me a delayed solution is a non-solution…If it must take violence to get the black man his human rights in this country, I’m for violence…

As the sleeping Muslims woke up, when dawn had broken, they almost instantly became aware of me, and we watched each other while they went about their business. I began to see what an important role the rug played in the overall cultural life ot the Muslims. Each individual had a small prayer rug, and each man and wife, or large group, had a larger communal rug. These Muslims prayed on their rugs there in the compartment. Then they spread a tablecloth over the rug and ate, so the rug became the dining room. Removing the dishes and cloth, they sat on the rug-a living room. Then they curl up and sleep on the rug-a bedroom. In that compartment, before I was to leave it, it dawned on me for the first time why the fence had paid such a high price for Oriental rugs when I had been a burglar in Boston. It was because so much intricate care was taken to weave fine rugs in countries where rugs were so culturally versatile. Later, in Mecca, I would see yet another use of the rug. When any kind of dispute arose, someone who was respected highly and who was not involved would sit on a rug with the disputers around him, which made the rug a courtroom.

Unless we call one white man, by name, a ‘devil’, we are not speaking of any individual white man. We are speaking of the collective white man’s historical record. We are speaking of the collective white man’s cruelties, and evils, and greeds, that have seen him act like a devil toward the non-white man. Any intelligent, honest, objective person cannot fail to realize that this white man’s slave trade, and his subsequent devilish actions are directly responsible for not only the presence of this black man in america, but also for the condition in which we find this black man here. You cannot find one black man, i do not care who he is, who has not been personally damaged in some way by the devilish acts of the collective white man!

Here was one if the white man’s most characteristic behavior patterns… He loves himself so much that he is startled if he discovers that his victims don’t share his vainglorious self-opinion. 

The western “love” concept, you take it apart and it really is lust. But love transcends just the physical. Love is disposition, behavior, attitude, thoughts, likes, dislikes— these things make a beautiful woman, a beautiful wife. This is the beauty that never fades… Islam teaches us to look into the woman, and teaches her to look into us.

We’re all black to the white man but we’re a thousand and one different colors.

Not even denouncing the white man, just telling him about himself is enough for him to bring to light the historic crimes of the white man

I made up my mind to devote the rest of my life to telling the white man about himself — or die.

Kay so Queso

Under the signature of Malcolm X, there was a P.S.: "How is it possible to write one's autobiography in a world so fast-changing as this?”

Let’s goooooooooo! A Persia shout! LFG I love it!

Also it’s not Rumi apparently; I really wonder where he got this quote from

Also: “Learn wisdom from the pupil of the eye that looks upon all things and yet to self is blind. Persian poet.”

Lmao he actually cracks me up sm; bro can’t even drink coffee without commenting on his distaste for the White man 😂

…and he drank innumerable cups of coffee which he lightened with cream, commenting wryly, “Coffee is the only thing I like integrated.”

This stuff is so much harder to read when you’ve gone through the journey with him by the end of the book. It’s such a shame, but really shows his remarkable insight and desire for realizing “truth”.

I never have felt that I would live to become an old man. Even before I was a Muslim — when I was a hustler in the ghetto jungle, and then a criminal in prison, it always stayed on my mind that I would die a violent death. In fact, it runs in my family. My father and most of his brothers died by violence — my father because of what he believed in. To come right down to it, if I take the kind of things in which I believe, then add to that the kind of temperament that I have, plus the one hundred percent dedication I have to whatever I believe in—these are ingredients which make it iust about impossible for me to die of old age.

My man is awakening to the beauty of Islam through its wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity! Love this!

It was when I first began to perceive that "white man”, as commonly used, means complexion only secondarily; primarily it described attitudes and actions. In America, "white man" meant specific attitudes and actions toward the black man, and toward all other non-white men. But in the Muslim world, I had seen that men with white complexions were more genuinely brotherly than anyone else had ever been.

That morning was the start of a radical alteration in my whole outlook about white" men.

It’s so dang interesting watching his growth in perspective from the multiculturalism of the Middle East. Earlier he referred “white-complexioned” Arabs, but here he’s noting how they don’t “act” white. I really love seeing his perspective grow and change.

[Dr. Omar Azzam] had an extremely polished manner. In America, he would have been called a white man, but — it struck me, hard and instantly — from the way he acted, I had no feeling of him being a white man.

Interesting take on the March on Washington. I’d say this take extends very well into “today”, where people are constantly trying to identify with the correct status in supporting social movements.

For the status-seeker, it was a status symbol. "Were you there?" You can hear that right today.

A “bold” claim, but I believe it. Different audiences really feel different

I think I could be speaking blindfolded and after five minutes, I could tell you if sitting out there before me was an all-black or an all-white audience.

God, I love his argumentative style. It’s so intense, he really treats it like a fight, but he’s got the wit and knowledge to back it up.

I was racking my head, to spear that fool; finally I held up my hand, and he stopped. "Do you know what white racists call black Ph.D's?" He said something like, “I believe that I happen not to be aware of that" — you know, one of these ultra-proper-talking Negroes. And I laid the word down on him, loud: “Nigger!"

I love his enjoying the Middle Eastern warmth and hospitality

The judge in our group sensed my strain. He patted my shoulder. Love, humility, and true brotherhood was almost a physical feeling wherever I turned.

Snakes couldn't have turned on me faster than the liberal. 

Yes, I will pull off that liberal's halo that he spends such efforts cultivating! The Norths liberals have been for so long pointing accusing fingers at the South and getting away with it that they have fits when they are exposed as the world's worst hypocrites.

God, I don’t wanna keep harping on this but lines like this hit so damn hard knowing how he died

He always seemed deathly afraid that someone would harm him, and he insisted that everyone be searched to forestall this. Today I understand better, why.

It’s a shame more people don’t know Malcolm X’s story; he’s actually great muslim representation, I wish we had it more commonly

I went to bed every night ever more awed. If not Allah, who eIse could have put such wisdom into that little humble lamb of a man from the Georgia fourth grade and sawmills and cotton patches.

Love the perspective on the personal value of this religious appeal

"The white man is the devil" is a perfect echo of that black convict's lifelong experience.

This is very much along the lines of Nietszche’s critiques of Christianity, from its origins in the Roman Empire as the religion of slaves. This is really interesting, I love this.

This white man's Christian religion further deceived and brainwashed this “Negro” to always turn the other cheek, and grin, and scrape, and bow, and be humble, and to sing, and to pray, and to take whatever was dished out by the devilish white man; and to look for his pie in the sky, and for his heaven in the hereafter, while right here on earth the slavemaster white man enjoyed his heaven.

Oh he actually agrees with my exact sentiments in the next two statements lmao

I am not saying there shouldn't be prisons, but there shouldn't be bars. Behind bars, a man never reforms.

Amna A.

Wow... Malcolm X... You have astounded me...

Malcolm X, an African-American who has gone from being one of the most notorious drug dealers in the ghettos of Harlem, from a person who looked upon the white race with awe, to a keen follower of the teachings of the Elijah Mohammed, a fake, self-declared prophet from Allah, and a hater of "the devil white man", a complete 180 degree turn. Until finally, after he had visited Mecca on the Hajj pilgrimage, had he truly discovered the authentic meaning of Islam. He had witnessed how worshiping one single God could contribute to the oneness of the society worshiping that God. He was awestruck by how strong strong the brotherhood was between the pilgrims of a hundred different colors, languages, traditions, and behaviors.

Truly a remarkable book.

so good! so informative! what a man! haley told the story so well, and i must reread now that i’ve read the epilogue. 

lucy p

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Insanely enthralling and educating while intimately connecting you with one of our most inspiring social leaders.

I can't say enough good things about this book. From start to finish, it was captivating and really taught me a lot. Obviously Malcolm X the leader is quite well-known and interesting, but every part of this book was interesting and helped give insight into his perspective. His childhood, adolescence, time in prison and growth into a man all carried different messages and lessons for us to learn from. I honestly kept thinking that "the next" part of the book wouldn't be as interesting, but it never stopped. It was amazing. I loved reading about his zoot suits and conks, and was so pleased to learn how his perspective mellowed out during his time in making the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to just about everyone. Even if you don't think you'd like it, it's worth reading the first chapter or two to check it out. Alex Haley does a phenomenal job turning Malcolm X's life into a navigable story and I cannot say enough great things about this book.

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Insanely enthralling and educating while intimately connecting you with one of our most inspiring social leaders.

I can't say enough good things about this book. From start to finish, it was captivating and really taught me a lot. Obviously Malcolm X the leader is quite well-known and interesting, but every part of this book was interesting and helped give insight into his perspective. His childhood, adolescence, time in prison and growth into a man all carried different messages and lessons for us to learn from. I honestly kept thinking that "the next" part of the book wouldn't be as interesting, but it never stopped. It was amazing. I loved reading about his zoot suits and conks, and was so pleased to learn how his perspective mellowed out during his time in making the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to just about everyone. Even if you don't think you'd like it, it's worth reading the first chapter or two to check it out. Alex Haley does a phenomenal job turning Malcolm X's life into a navigable story and I cannot say enough great things about this book.

Even though it requieres the reader to pass through a number of obviously dated and misogynistic passages, it is a must read for anyone interested in understanding key figures in the fight for racial justice and human rights.

Nast Marrero

A must read. Well written and deeply revealing

Harris Shahzad

rumbledethumps

A classic redemption memoir, skillfully told and unafraid to tell the parts of his life he’s not proud of. Just a really great book.

My favorite book. Please do yourself a favor and read this. 

They called him the 'angriest black man in America' . . . Celebrated and vilified the world over for his courageous but bitter fight to gain for millions of black men and women the equality and respect denied them by their white neighbours, Malcolm X inspired as many people in the United States as he caused to fear him. His remarkable autobiography, completed just before his murder in 1965, ranges from Omaha and Michigan to Harlem and Mecca, and tells of a young, disenfranchised man whose descent into drug addition, robbery and prison was only reversed by his belief in the rights struggle for black America, and his conversion to the Nation of Islam. Not only is this an enormously important record of the Civil Rights Movement in America, but also the scintillating story of a man who refused to allow anyone to tell him who or what he was.

Nour sabrine

A ground breaking Discovery. 
We always hear about Malcolm X yet we're taught so little, this book traces back the journey of a man who has been to the darkest parts of his soul and back. A worthwhile book for a full nation to be educated

Written by Alex Haley from conversations with the Negro leader over a period of two years before his death.

Mennatallah Moustafa 

As Malclom said "People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book"
He was fascinating, a remarkably fascinating man !

Ashlyn

Malcolm X has been unjustly represented in school history books. This autobiography should be required reading for all Americans.

Sarah Escorsa

Definitely one of the best autobiographies of all time.

Marcos Silva

A book that give us a good image of the racial issues in the US, but that can be extended to other countries. It also shows how a man gets enlightened and changes.

Rose Stanley

Fascinating, thought-provoking, unputdownable. 
And so's the book, arfarfarf.

For real though - imagine hearing this man speak!

Yes, for all he's intelligent and eloquent, there's plenty Mr X says that I *don't* agree with (the theory re Shakespeare's real identity is probably the least serious point of contention), but how can you *not* envy Alex Haley getting to engage with him in this way? Putting this together must have been electric.

Also, that last line...perfection.

Natalie Hanna

“I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda. I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” -X

The Autobiography of Malcolm X with the Assistance, (forew.) of Alex Haley

Maxime van der Wal

This autobiography perfectly outlines the fascinating life of Malcolm X and the reasons behind the decisions he has made. It is passionate, insightful and well-written. I felt like I was on a journey along with Malcolm throughout his upbringing in Michigan to living in Harlem, surviving prison and becoming a minister of the Nation of Islam. His determination and eagerness to consume as much information as possible inspired me on several occassions. I don't think I'm equipped to convey how much I appreciate having had such an intimate insight to Malcolm's life, so I'm just going to leave some of the quotes which were the most hard-hitting for me personally, and hopefully they inspire you to pick up this book as well: 

 "It's like the N-gro in America seeing the white man win all the time. He's a professional gambler; he has all the cards and the odds stacked on his side, and he has always dealt to our people from the bottom of the deck." 

"Any person who claims to have deep feeling for other human beings should think a long, long time before he votes to have other men kept behind bars - caged. I am not saying there shouldn't be prisons, but there shouldn't be bars. Behind bars, a man never reforms. He will never forget. He never will get completely over the memory of the bars."

"The black prisoner, he said, symbolized white society's crime of keeping black men oppressed and deprived and ignorant, and unable to get decent jobs, turning them into criminals."

"Here was one of the white man's most characteristic behavior patterns - where black men are concerned. He loves himself so much that he is startled if he discovers that his victims don't share his vainglorious self-opinion."

"'The greatest miracle Christianity has achieved in America is that the black man in white Christian hands has not grown violent. It is a miracle that 22 million black people have not risen up against their oppressors - in which they would have been justified by all moral criteria, and even by the democratic tradition! It is a miracle that a nation of black people has so fervently continued to believe in a turn-the-other-cheek and heaven-for-you-after-you-die philosophy! It is a miracle that the American black people have remained a peaceful people, while catching all the centuries of hell that they have caught, here in white man's heaven! The miracle is that the white man's puppet N-gro 'leaders', his preachers and the educated N-groes laden with degrees, and others who have been allowed to wax fat off their black poor brothers, have been able to hold the black masses quiet until now.'"

"'Unless we call one white man, by name, a "devil", we are not speaking of any individual white man. We are speaking of the collective white man's historical record. We are speaking of the collective white man's cruelties, and evils, and greeds, that have seen him act like a devil toward the non-white man. Any intelligent, honest, objective person cannot fail to realize that this white man's slave trade, and his subsequent devilish actions are directly responsible for not only the presence of this black man in America, but also for the condition in which we find this black man here. You cannot find one black man, I do not care who he is, who has not been personally damaged in some way by the devilish acts of the collective white man!'"  

And there are MANY more.

Makena Whitaker

I had to read this for the summer. I loved the book, Malcolm's life story is tough.

Malcolm X's blazing, legendary autobiography, completed shortly before his assassination in 1965, depicts a remarkable life: a child born into rage and despair, who turned to street-hustling and cocaine in the Harlem ghetto, followed by prison, where he converted to the Black Muslims and honed the energy and brilliance that made him one of the most important political figures of his time - and an icon in ours. It also charts the spiritual journey that took him beyond militancy, and led to his murder, a powerful story of transformation, redemption and betrayal. Vilified by his critics as an anti-white demagogue, Malcolm X gave a voice to unheard African-Americans, bringing them pride, hope and fearlessness, and remains an inspirational and controversial figure today.

Pia Sophia

I didn't like Paul Gilroy's introduction to this book. His choice of words, and I quote: "Malcolm's demonic personality" made me feel like Gilroy looked at things in black and white while he was not able to fully comprehend what exactly Malcolm X was fighting for. 

However, Alex Haley's foreword showed an elaborate insight in his early encounters with Malcolm X and with how their complicated relationship started. The transcripts of Malcolm's scribbles during their talk and the quotations of Malcolm's words, however small a portion of the whole, light up the whole by being detailed fragments of a revolutionary's mind I didn't know I needed until I read them. In his introduction, Alex Haley shows us the friendship that grew between him and Malcolm X, along with the change that took place in him and what he stood for in the two years they worked on his autobiography together. 

Malcolm X' autobiography gives an elaborate insight in the (early) life of a man widely known, loved and feared until this very day. I devoured this book. Of course, I've watched and read about Malcolm X before, but never before I felt like I really got to know him like I did when reading this book. 
I honestly feel like this book should be mandatory reading material in schools. People need to know how institutionalized racism affects the world and what lengths humanity could go when we would treat each other like we should. Everyone, and by that I truly mean EVERYONE, should read this autobiography. It doesn't romanticize anything, it's the raw truth. It may be painful to read to some, but that's no reason not to do it. 
Malcolm X knew, from a young age, that he wouldn't live to grow old, and yet he dedicated his life to fight for justice. He knew people were after his life and yet he didn't fear death as much as he felt it was important to educate the people and change their conscience and thinking. There is no excuse for us, the next and the new generations, to turn the other cheek anymore. Not when ignorance is a choice in this era.

Oskar

Alex Deee

What an amazing book. At its simplest it's a record of the civil rights movement, of Harlem hustlers, and early American Islam. But Malcolm is such a powerful, magnetic person, and his evolution is so compelling. 

The last chapter by Alex Haley is just as valuable as the rest of the book. And the story of how the book came to be is in itself incredible. 

Throughout I kept thinking about parallels between Harlem ghettoes and the present day bombed out recruiting grounds where ISIS finds its members. And I wonder what Malcolm would think of groups like Public Enemy claiming his image. 

I'll be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Reviews

Highlights