Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “The life of Malcolm X can never be better portrayed than through the words of the man himself. In this five-hundred page epic, Malcolm X describes the huge periods of change and transition which would appear almost constant through-out his life. |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Alex Haley is a beautiful writer. This is the second time I read this book and it is all new. It is the life of Malcolm X and so many street people it explains the heart of a guy who really did have heart. Kindness and love are often seen as emotional, soft qualities and not very useful in street life or the world. Malcolm was the most loving guy I know of he lived what was in his heart whether is was negative or positive. ”
Sarobi wrote this review Wednesday, April 17, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Took forever to get through it (wished I had started it on the first night of vacation, instead of the last), but I'm glad I did. I'd say this book is...interesting. I like it, and then I don't--but not for anything specific. It's got me thinking, that's for sure. :)”
Hannah E. J wrote this review Sunday, March 17, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A must read!”
Zalma wrote this review Thursday, March 14, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis: Malcolm X, from hustler to holy man.
Jeannine Barber wrote this review Saturday, March 9, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Summary: 9-12. NF. Malcolm X’s fascinating life story is recounted here. From poverty and the murder of his father, to teachers who told him he was nothing, to street hustling, successful and not. One stint in prison introduces him to the Nation of Islam, which he studies and of which he becomes a proponent. He becomes active in the Civil Rights movement, a contemporary of Dr. King. After a life-and philosophy-changing trip to Mecca, he is assassinated by his own group.
Setting/Location: USA in the 1960’s
Themes and Symbolism: transformation, challenges
Authors and Contributors: Alex Haley
Curriculum Connection: Civil Rights movement, American Icon”“So far his attitudes and opinions reflect mine almost identically”
Darren Ambersley wrote this review Friday, March 8, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Very empowering book.”
Black Smith wrote this review Thursday, March 7, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“For much of this book I did not like Malcolm Little... Primarily for his lack of remorse for being a criminal and his insistence that white people were the devil. however as his life progressed he was unfortunately misled by what can only really be described as a cult. We learn he would have given his life for them. Malcom's beliefs at the tail end of his life after his pilgrimage to Mecca were more akin to unity and brotherhood as I finally conceded that the white man is not the devil.
CRISPY wrote this review Wednesday, March 6, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It is such a shame that the Nation of Islam took the best years of his life as he was sincerely a great man who met an untimely end as a result of his ultimate rejection of the Nation. The best tribute I can give him is to say he's "MY MAN" (the slang him and his crazy pimp friends in Harlem used) ”
“First Comment:
Sugor A. wrote this review Wednesday, March 27, 2013. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I am on page 145, I think this book is just great. I really enjoy reading this book so far because Malcolm X has been a figure that I have heard much about but never really got to understand fully. He seems a very interesting person with phenomenal character, as he makes his switch from the typical life in the US ghettos, to being a true inspirational person. I chose this book because a couple of years ago, I recall writing a biography on Spike Lee, and one of his famous movies was “Malcolm X”, this movie was really the major turning point of Spike Lee’s success. After reading this book I will definitely go on to watch the movie, as although I am not finished with this book yet, I feel pretty passionate about it already, as really almost everything interests me about Malcolm X, from his mysterious name to his intriguing personal life stories.
Comment 2:
I am currently on page 322, I think so far this biography is very interesting and uses the tool of foreshadowing successfully. Malcolms embrace to Islam was foreshadowed very well, as he described slight interest towards this religion before even converting by some time. He performed many actions that he says he regrets, many of these actions included drug use and hustling on the streets of New York City. However these actions he described where used to support himself, he became a numbers runner, a drug dealer, even a pimp. There were little details that I though were very interesting, like the fact that he wore zoot suits and dyed his hair red, which
earned him the nickname "Detroit Red". I will finish this book as soon as possible as it really is a interesting read.
My final review:
Malcolm X has been a figure that I have heard much about but never really got to understand fully. He seems a very interesting person with phenomenal character. He makes his switch from the typical life in the US ghettos, to being a true inspirational hero. I chose this book because a couple of years ago, I recall writing a biography on Spike Lee, and one of his famous movies was “Malcolm X. The literary device of foreshadowing is used exceptionally in this biography, as it introduces upcoming events by commenting on previous experiences. Malcolm’s embrace to Islam was foreshadowed very well, as he described slight interest towards this religion before even converting by some time, “Malcolm’s first epiphany occurred 12 years earlier before he converted to Islam as he was serving an 10 year prison sentence for robbery.” (Pg. 189) He performed many actions that he says he regrets, many of these actions included drug use and hustling on the streets of New York City. What I enjoyed from this biography was it showed Malcolm X as a better person, by being more biased to his side. I think this is appropriate as there were many positives to him that should be highlighted, rather than highlighting the negatives. Undoubtedly he was an influential character that really was not afraid to voice his opinion. I enjoyed reading his quotes, as some of his similes were very clever. After Malcolm witnessed Muslims (of all skin colors and countries) bound to the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, hugging and embracing in the airport. In relation to this, one of his similes is presented on page (233-234) “ The whole atmosphere was of warmth and friendliness. The feeling hit me that there really wasn’t any color problem here. The effect was as though I had just stepped out of a prison.” His comparison to stepping out of a prison is a very strong one, as people in prison do not have any freedom, and the blacks at his time had very limited freedom in America. This book was a much anticipated read for me, as I always wanted to educate myself about this historical figure, and I have finally got the chance, I truly do recommend this book for anyone as it is truly an inspiring biography.
”
“One of the most fascinating autobiographies I've read. ”
Rick Hogaboam wrote this review Monday, February 25, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The story of Malcolm X is well worth reading. He went from "the devil white man" to an understanding and acceptance that not all people (white, black or otherwise) are different, better or worse. Quite a life - and assassinated similar to so many civil rights people. The cover above is not the cover of my book - I couldn't find mine.”
SlowReader SlowReader wrote this review Tuesday, February 19, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
