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acsaper's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredible portrait of remarkable human!
The most creative of all novelists couldn't have written a story as enticing, suspenseful, moving and powerful as the true tale of Malcolm X's life. While his early years paint an incredibly vivid picture of the plight faced by many African-Americans in 20th century America, the eventual religious transcendence Malcolm experiences, in the name of Islam, demonstrates the power of devotion in overcoming even the most impossible obstacles.
The passion and conviction with which Malcolm preaches is so overwhelming that reading this book and not becoming emotionally attached would be inconceivable! While many may or may not agree with Malcolm's views of American race-relations, his confidence in his belief is undeniable.
Personally, I would find it hard not to accept Malcolm’s major 'findings,' so long as you read objectively, as he pleads readers to do. Though at times in his life he spoke out angrily in a manner that could easily be perceived as racist, it is well demonstrated that these beliefs not only subsided but were reversed during his later years. Racism, by any party, is hardly a part of Malcolm's philosophy and would certainly not be supported to any degree by the devote Muslim man known as, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
What did seem to remain unchanged throughout his life however is the notion of action. Malcolm takes the idea of 'a squeaky wheel gets the grease,' to a whole new level. While far from advocating violence, Malcolm believed, and showed, that only through action can one accomplish great deeds.
While it is clear that Allah is Malcolm's one true G-d, I think it would be fair to say that he believed in the power of knowledge above all else. An avid student of all subjects, Malcolm's knowledge of the world is impressive not only in its breadth and depth but also in that it was all obtained on his own accord, without any serious formal education.
If I learned anything from this book, and believe me I did, it is that our greatest weapons in this world are truth, knowledge, and action. Now of course, weapons would be meaningless unless there were an enemy, the most threatening of which, from the eyes of a mature Malcolm would likely be seen as violations of human, not civil, rights.
It is a shame that this brilliant of a man was struck down so early in his life. Who knows what he may have accomplished if left to live until twice his age.
Again, as a voice of reason, knowledge and humanity, I know that the Autobiography of Malcolm X holds untold potential. If I had my way, it would likely be a required reading in middle or high school as the message of reformation, justice and benevolence that unfold would do well to fall upon the impressionable minds of American, if not global, youth.
The most creative of all novelists couldn't have written a story as enticing, suspenseful, moving and powerful as the true tale of Malcolm X's life. While his early years paint an incredibly vivid picture of the plight faced by many African-Americans in 20th century America, the eventual religious transcendence Malcolm experiences, in the name of Islam, demonstrates the power of devotion in overcoming even the most impossible obstacles.
The passion and conviction with which Malcolm preaches is so overwhelming that reading this book and not becoming emotionally attached would be inconceivable! While many may or may not agree with Malcolm's views of American race-relations, his confidence in his belief is undeniable.
Personally, I would find it hard not to accept Malcolm’s major 'findings,' so long as you read objectively, as he pleads readers to do. Though at times in his life he spoke out angrily in a manner that could easily be perceived as racist, it is well demonstrated that these beliefs not only subsided but were reversed during his later years. Racism, by any party, is hardly a part of Malcolm's philosophy and would certainly not be supported to any degree by the devote Muslim man known as, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
What did seem to remain unchanged throughout his life however is the notion of action. Malcolm takes the idea of 'a squeaky wheel gets the grease,' to a whole new level. While far from advocating violence, Malcolm believed, and showed, that only through action can one accomplish great deeds.
While it is clear that Allah is Malcolm's one true G-d, I think it would be fair to say that he believed in the power of knowledge above all else. An avid student of all subjects, Malcolm's knowledge of the world is impressive not only in its breadth and depth but also in that it was all obtained on his own accord, without any serious formal education.
If I learned anything from this book, and believe me I did, it is that our greatest weapons in this world are truth, knowledge, and action. Now of course, weapons would be meaningless unless there were an enemy, the most threatening of which, from the eyes of a mature Malcolm would likely be seen as violations of human, not civil, rights.
It is a shame that this brilliant of a man was struck down so early in his life. Who knows what he may have accomplished if left to live until twice his age.
Again, as a voice of reason, knowledge and humanity, I know that the Autobiography of Malcolm X holds untold potential. If I had my way, it would likely be a required reading in middle or high school as the message of reformation, justice and benevolence that unfold would do well to fall upon the impressionable minds of American, if not global, youth.
atticus13's review against another edition
5.0
Biographies aim to reveal the activities and/or the internal world of their subject. It’s the internal world that’s difficult to tackle.
If it’s written by a biographer, they have no omniscient insight into the thoughts of their subject. If it’s an autobiography, there’s often too much self consciousness for the inner world to be laid truly bare.
Somehow Malcom X does it. His inner world does seem to be laid bare in chronological parallel to the activities of his life. What’s even more remarkable is that even though this book was mostly constructed near the end of his life, the language seems to evolve over the chapters as if it had been written in real time (even though it is written in past tense).
As far as autobiographies go, I think this is a gold standard.
If it’s written by a biographer, they have no omniscient insight into the thoughts of their subject. If it’s an autobiography, there’s often too much self consciousness for the inner world to be laid truly bare.
Somehow Malcom X does it. His inner world does seem to be laid bare in chronological parallel to the activities of his life. What’s even more remarkable is that even though this book was mostly constructed near the end of his life, the language seems to evolve over the chapters as if it had been written in real time (even though it is written in past tense).
As far as autobiographies go, I think this is a gold standard.
amusedcoconut's review against another edition
5.0
It feels wrong that I can't give this book 6 stars.
alexander's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
5.0
jachinheckman's review against another edition
3.0
There is some tremendously powerful and insightful parts of this book. Unfortunately they are shelved between him being misogynistic and defending his abusive relationships. He was a complex ad compelling person, but I feel that there is probably a better way to learn about him.