The Autobiography of Malcolm X Kindle Edition

During the George Floyd protests, online activists listed book titles that would help increase black history awareness. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley was among those recommended to me.With this writing, Malcolm X hoped to shed light on how growing up in the black ghettoes shaped his life and character. And he knew it would require a great deal of objectivity on the reader’s part.Indeed, there are harsh truths—painful and soul-crushing truths that justify every bit of anger black people feel. There are also misogynistic generalizations along with expressed anger and vindictiveness toward white women, but, as he stated later in the book, “Anger can blind human vision.”It works both ways.With the “Black Lives Matter” movement, I saw an inability to comprehend that people of color merely demanded the same due process, dignity, and justice given to white people. Those enraged by the protests could not put themselves in those people’s places or even imagine being in that position themselves. They were above it all, and facts didn’t matter. My impression was that they don’t understand because they generally don’t deal with black people personally, Generally speaking, their knowledge of black people is what they see on the news. Or they base their conclusions on the actions of a few, something they wouldn’t do with people of the same race and ethnicity.There’s been an obsession with “sameness” that has baffled me since I was a child.Interesting analogy—when my child was born, I had to get an Rh immune globulin shot because I am Rh-negative and didn’t have the Rh factor marker to mix with Rh-positive blood. If I hadn’t done that, and my son was born Rh positive, my immune system would have made antibodies to reject what it detected as a foreign invasion by attacking his red blood cells. That foreign invasion response. The impulsive instinct to reject what isn’t the same, not close enough, and thereby threatening. It’s part of humanity’s defective design. I don’t recognize you, plain and simple. You don’t belong here. Get out. It’s like a bad science fiction movie where you can’t get through to the people affected and can’t save them.Malcolm X said that, in writing this book, he hoped to help “save America from a grave, possibly even a fatal catastrophe.”I don’t think that’s an exaggeration.I remember, years ago, while dating a biracial man, a black woman said to me, “He’s a black man, honey. You can’t possibly understand a black man the way he needs to be understood.” I didn’t know if she was right or wrong. Sure, I realized, from an early age, that discrimination and oppression were completely unacceptable. I was always willing to understand. I’m certainly a lot more aware now than I was then. Yet there is still more to learn.Responding to speculation as to why he was the way he was, Malcolm X said, “To understand that of any person, his whole life, from birth, must be reviewed. All of our experiences fuse into our personality. Everything that ever happened to us is an ingredient.”He talked a lot about how reading “forever changed the course of his life.”“People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book,” he said. And although women were hardly a second thought in the time that he lived, this applies to them, too.The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley has that ability to change lives. Mr. Haley did an excellent job with it. The pacing was slow—at times, a little too slow, but I’m glad I was patient. It is an important book to read. It proves, as far as I’m concerned, that reading is a must. It has been one of my saving graces in life, and it is what pulled Malcolm X up from the dark, deep, underground tunnels that kept him in the oppressor’s grip, a cycle of self-sabotage and self-loathing that his oppressors created for him and so many others like him.Exploring works like Native Son by Richard Wright and The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley is a great start for people interested in learning why this great divide continues to exist.However, according to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, “As of 2017, Americans spent an average of almost 17 minutes per day reading for personal interest (as compared to almost three hours watching television and 28 minutes playing games and using computers for leisure). Younger Americans (ages 15 to 44) spent, on average, less than 10 minutes per day reading for personal interest.”I firmly believe a lack of reading and exploring is one of the many problems we have in this country.The truth is, you don’t have to like a person to learn from them, but I ended up liking the person who told this story. The tragic end to his extraordinary life saddens me. Malcolm X was open-minded and remained teachable. He came to understand we are not all alike, all of us white people, and it’s the same thing everyone needs to realize about every other race and ethnicity.His conclusion was, it isn’t necessarily “the American white man who is a racist, but the American political, economic, and social atmosphere that automatically nourishes a racist psychology in the white man.” And that “it takes all of the religious, political, economic, psychological, and racial ingredients, or characteristics, to make the human family and the human society complete.” He felt certain if this weren’t the case, we’d have a humane, empathetic society where all of us, rich and poor, could be treated with dignity and respect. He liked the idea of not seeing an inherently evil “enemy” but rather a society that “influences him to act evilly.”Even Christianity—a religion black people clung to for comfort and hope—became part of that racist psychology. He noted that “The Christian church returned to Africa under the banner of the Cross—conquering, killing, exploiting, pillaging, raping, bullying, beating—and teaching white supremacy. This is how the white man thrust himself into the position of leadership of the world—through the use of naked physical power.”I so admire the spiritual courage this man had in his search for the truth.And the truth is, essentially, what makes sense to you after all your exploration and your quest for authenticity. I say it all the time, no group, no matter who, what, or where is perfect. We always have a mix of good and evil. Or, to be kinder, some have seen the light, and others have yet to see it. Let’s hope they keep looking.

This book taught me a lot about the history of the Black Americans and the history of race in the USA. It gave me a clearer picture of the complex person who was Malcolm X. He seems to epitomize the plight of far too many African Americans. I wish that all Americans read this as part of their education. Well written.

How many public intellectuals who get famous for espousing one view are willing to reassess that position and modify it? I cannot think of too many. Only having a mind that zealously searched for the truth regardless of where it may lead would have allowed Malcolm X to "re-arrange" and "toss aside" his previous views on race.The entire book is engrossing. The first 150 pages chronicles his life before his religious conversion. His parents were harassed, degraded and ultimately ruined by whites. Despite this, Malcolm was a good student who eventually failed because of his low ceiling as a young, black man was plainly told to him by a teacher. A fascinating portrait of a wayward youth trying to make it on the streets of Boston and Harlem ensues. The level of detail and numerous near misses make for a fascinating story. During this time, you see a very talented mind in the wrong line of work.Prison presents an opportunity for him to change course. He meets an older inmate named Bimbi who commands respect with the words he projects. He converts to Islam and consumes every book he can get his hands on. Once out, his devoutness to Elijah Muhammed is firm. He works relentlessly to build up the Nation of Islam. Malcolm alludes to a faith in Elijah that was so great, greater even than Elijah had in himself. That becomes clear when he confronts Elijah about his infidelity, the leader explains:I'm David. When you read about how David took another man's wife, I'm that David. You read about Noah, who got drunk - that's me. You read about Lot, who went and laid up with his own daughters. I have to fulfill all of these things.Ultimately, jealously and some controversial remarks send him into isolation. Malcolm journeys through the Middle East and Africa. After seeing the interracial brotherhood of the Hajj in Mecca, Malcolm states, "A blanket indictment of all white people is as wrong as when whites make blanket indictments against blacks." Of his change, he says, "I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth."A lot of Malcolm's points hold up surprisingly well in America today. A real seeker of knowledge and of truth, this is a fascinating story.

I was born in 1989! I was introduced to the Nation of Islam first and then I started to learn more about Malcolm! I’ve watched many YouTube videos on Malcolm and I concluded that Malcolm was a TRUE SOLDIER for his people! I always admire the amount of information that I knew of Malcolm! But this book was the equivalent of a sit down and an extensive conversation with Malcolm myself! Disregarding the stipulations, depictions, narratives and other personal & media driven opinions, I now believe that I truly understand who Malcolm was! I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to digest his thoughts and the selected details of his journey within this well structured book! Alex did a phenomenal job with helping Malcolm put together this book! And personally, I think that a person should only be allowed to exert an opinion on Malcolm only after reading this book! Thank you Malcolm for your contribution to mankind as we know It. (((salute)))

This book is inspirational and motivational! I highly recommend reading it.

Haven't read it yet but the book is in great condition.

Livro denso. Mais de 500 páginas. Em Inglês. Mas vale cada palavra.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X is an incredible and transformative read. This book offers a raw and powerful insight into Malcolm X’s life, struggles, and evolution. It's thought-provoking and deeply inspirational, showing the complexities of his journey and how he became a pivotal figure in history. A must-read for anyone interested in civil rights, history, or personal growth. Penguin Modern Classics' edition is well-made and includes thoughtful commentary. Highly recommend

Die Autobiographie von Malcolm X, mit einem neuen Vorwort von Attallah Shabazz, ist ein kraftvolles Zeugnis einer außergewöhnlichen Lebensreise. Das Buch, das in Zusammenarbeit mit Alex Haley entstand, erzählt die bewegende Geschichte eines Mannes, der vom Verbrecher zum Bürgerrechtsaktivisten wurde.Die ehrlichen und schonungslosen Erzählungen von Malcolm X bieten nicht nur Einblicke in seine persönlichen Herausforderungen und Triumphe, sondern werfen auch ein Licht auf die politische und soziale Landschaft seiner Zeit. Die scharfsinnige Analyse von Rassismus, Ungerechtigkeit und persönlichem Wachstum macht dieses Buch zu einem zeitlosen Klassiker.Die Einführung von Attallah Shabazz verleiht dem Werk zusätzliche Tiefe, indem sie einen modernen Blick auf die Bedeutung von Malcolm X und sein Vermächtnis wirft. Shabazz, als Tochter von Malcolm X, bringt eine persönliche Perspektive ein, die das Erbe ihres Vaters weiterführt.Die Autobiographie fesselt den Leser von Anfang bis Ende. Malcolm Xs lebendige Sprache, sein Humor und seine Weisheit ziehen den Leser in seine Welt und lassen ihn an den Höhen und Tiefen seines Lebens teilhaben. Der Leser erlebt nicht nur die Transformation des Mannes Malcolm Little zu Malcolm X, sondern auch die Transformation einer Ära der Bürgerrechtsbewegung.Dieses Buch ist nicht nur eine faszinierende Lebensgeschichte, sondern auch ein kraftvolles Manifest für persönliche Freiheit, soziale Gerechtigkeit und den unerschütterlichen Glauben an Veränderung. Die Autobiographie von Malcolm X bleibt ein bedeutendes Werk, das die Leser dazu inspiriert, über Vorurteile und Ungerechtigkeiten nachzudenken und sich für eine bessere Welt einzusetzen.

Es la mejor opción para quien puede leerlo en Inglés. Es barato, es un libro increíble, no es una versión hecha para coleccionarse pero la calidad es buena, la verdad es dinero bien gastado.En cuanto al contenido del libro. La historia de malcolm es impactante, y leerlo de sus propias palabras es aún más revelador y contundente. Me alegro haberlo leído en su idioma original.

One of the finest books on one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, MalcomX. This book is a must read for every person of colour and every minority who are discriminated at the hands of the powerful, for the people who are lost and do not know their cause, for people who continue to accept brutality without doing something to defend themself. It was a an important literary work of the last century and it rings much more significance in this century where black people are still fighting for their right towards equality and peace. Malcom X, was good Human being and a thoughtful leader who accepted his shortcomings and corrected them along the way. He was assasinated five decades ago but his message and work lives on in the hearts of millions of black people and other people of colour all over the world.