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vumalilli's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
"And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help to 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."- Malcolm X
I love this book, and I love that I got to hear it and read it. Malcolm X had a surprising life story with so many moments of growth and maturity. So much conviction and passion to morph into one of the greatest speakers and fighters for freedom and justice. It was amazing to read him grow into the person he was until that fateful day in 1965. Laurence Fishburne is also the best audiobook narrator I've experienced. You would think Malcom X recorded this before he was killed.
The most enthralling part of his story, to me (other than the palpable growth and wisdom), was his early years learning about his parents an his boyhood experiences. I really don't read enough about the northern experience for Black Americans pre-1970s.
I also credit this man for being part of my journey away from Christianity. In tandem with James Baldwin and Audre Lorde - their assessments of white institutions and the unbelonging of Black people within these spaces has spoken to me. His searing insight on the passivity of the religion is 10/10!
The deduction in my review was influenced by X's lack of intersectionality in his fight for racial justice, particularly for Black women and the way he spoke towards his wife. I don't believe Betty Shabazz or his amazing daughters ever raised an issue with him on on this, however, I felt like he put his own needs before that of his wife and daughters pretty often. His pilgrimage to Mecca humbled him in the necessary ways, but how do you do that when you have a wife and children at home?
More so, he mentions racism from the POV of a Black man who needed to ask Black women about their experiences and never did (in America or in his travels throughout Nigeria, Ghana and Mecca). His wife kept his legacy going and he never gave her enough credit to her passion, convictions and experiences.
Otherwise, really did enjoy this!
The most enthralling part of his story, to me (other than the palpable growth and wisdom), was his early years learning about his parents an his boyhood experiences. I really don't read enough about the northern experience for Black Americans pre-1970s.
I also credit this man for being part of my journey away from Christianity. In tandem with James Baldwin and Audre Lorde - their assessments of white institutions and the unbelonging of Black people within these spaces has spoken to me. His searing insight on the passivity of the religion is 10/10!
The deduction in my review was influenced by X's lack of intersectionality in his fight for racial justice, particularly for Black women and the way he spoke towards his wife. I don't believe Betty Shabazz or his amazing daughters ever raised an issue with him on on this, however, I felt like he put his own needs before that of his wife and daughters pretty often. His pilgrimage to Mecca humbled him in the necessary ways, but how do you do that when you have a wife and children at home?
More so, he mentions racism from the POV of a Black man who needed to ask Black women about their experiences and never did (in America or in his travels throughout Nigeria, Ghana and Mecca). His wife kept his legacy going and he never gave her enough credit to her passion, convictions and experiences.
Otherwise, really did enjoy this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Slavery and Forced institutionalization
bambicat234's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I can not recommend this book enough. Everyone should read it. It's unique in being told from two perspectives: the perspective of the man himself and the perspectives of the men who got to know him well. You can personally observe his moral, religious, and political transformations throughout his life and especially at the end of it.
Everything he says here is relevant today in some way or another.
Everything he says here is relevant today in some way or another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Racism, and Antisemitism
musicthatis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
campsoup's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
asen123's review against another edition
I might finish it when I’m a bit older. I really wanted to like it, but it was too intense for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Classism
aia_r's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, one of the most important books of the twentieth century, is a classic autobiography that tells the story of the Muslim leader Malcolm X. We learn about his early years as a boy in Michigan, his hustling days in Harlem, getting in prison and discovering the religion of Islam. By far one of the most informative, interesting books I have ever read. Such a great book for anyone wanting to understand the Afro-American struggle and is essential for anyone wanting to understand America.
Malcolm X's captivating perspective of the lies and limitations of the so-called "American Dream" and the racism in a society that denies its non-white citizens to dream gives a unique insight into the most pressing issues today.
Malcolm X's captivating perspective of the lies and limitations of the so-called "American Dream" and the racism in a society that denies its non-white citizens to dream gives a unique insight into the most pressing issues today.
"But it is only after the deepest darkness that joy can come; it is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come."
What I liked the most about this autobiography are its honesty, its exalted purpose and its passion. This will have a permanent place in the literature of the African-American struggle. What saddens me is that Malcolm was seen as a violent, anti-white, dangerous man filled with hate when he was only speaking the truth while being the wisest, intelligent, honest, gentle, peaceful activist that wanted freedom and basic human rights for the then 22 million black citizens in the United States that had been under slavery for four hundred years.
At the end of the book, Malcolm says;
At the end of the book, Malcolm says;
"I know that societies often 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 to 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."
This alone demonstrates what a wise, sincere and humble person Malcolm was whose life ended way too soon. Shame on those who spread false accusations against this man and tried to ruin his image. May he rest in peace.
june 1st 2023
june 1st 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Slavery, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime and Violence
afroheaux's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Growing up, I had this vision of Malcolm X as a troublemaker who did nothing but run his mouth and preach black supremacy. I knew he was violent. I couldn’t recall a single violent thing that he did, but I knew he was violent. Once I started learning true history as an African American Studies minor, I began to learn everything I knew was wrong. This book showed me how wrong I was.
Although Malcolm isn’t as perfect as I thought he would be, his takes are more nuanced, informed, and at many times, prophetic than I ever knew. After being in an Islamic cult, his politics about women (amongst other topics) weren’t going to be perfect and I understand that. The lessons from his life and relentless activism is what I take from this. I’m so grateful he shared himself with us and I’m so sad that he wasn’t able to continue his work. I hope his family gets justice eventually.
Although Malcolm isn’t as perfect as I thought he would be, his takes are more nuanced, informed, and at many times, prophetic than I ever knew. After being in an Islamic cult, his politics about women (amongst other topics) weren’t going to be perfect and I understand that. The lessons from his life and relentless activism is what I take from this. I’m so grateful he shared himself with us and I’m so sad that he wasn’t able to continue his work. I hope his family gets justice eventually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
andibez's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
The audiobook, narrated by Lawrence Fishburne, was really good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racial slurs
Moderate: Drug use and Violence
morgcailie's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
The most beautiful autobiography I've read. Malcolm's journey and words mean so much to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy