Reviews (2)

Byline correction
I can't seem to find an address to which this information should be directed, so here it is:This title should be listed as 'Text by William Strickland, Oral Histories selected and edited by Cheryll Y. Greene' (that's me).That's the way the credits are listed on the front cover, title page, with the Library of Congress, etc.Please correct your search function to include this information.Sometimes people still look for the book using my name.Thank you.(I had to fill in the star rating above in order to send this to you.Please disregard.)

Many Perspectives on A Changing Man
Based on the acclaimed PBS documentary, this photographic biography of the controversial African American leader combines evocative photographs with poignant memories from friends, family members, admirers and a few critics.This multifaceted examination of the militant leader's turbulent lifehelped me understand his rage and power. If you read his autobiography,then you will find this book especially valuable. An excellent supplementto the documentary because it includes material that they had to exclude,due to time limitations, from the documentary. ... Read more

Book Description

During his lifetime, the name Malcolm X was a lightning rod that electrified the black community. Now, thirty years after his death, we are still coming to grips with the complexity, and power of his message. In this fascinating volume, Malcolm X, the man and the leader, stands revealed in a shimmering mosaic of memories, interviews, insights, and appreciations by:

-- Maya Angelou - James Baldwin - James Booker Elombe Braath - James Brown - Kenneth B. Clark John Henrik Clarke - Eldridge Cleaver - Joe Durso James Farmer - Kathy Gibson - Peter Goldman - Rosa Guy - Robert Haggins - Alex Haley - Hinton Johnson Benjamin Karim - Charles Kenyatta - Yuri Kuchiama William Kunstler - Maria Laurino - Claude Lewis Abby Lincoln - C. Eric Lincoln - Julian Mayfield Bayard Rustin - Sonia Sanchez - Dick Schaap - George Sims - James Small - Michael Thelwell - Mike Wallace Robert Penn Warren - Ralph Wiley - Alice Windom

More than thirty luminaries describe how Malcolm X touched and, in some cases, radically transformed their lives. Then Malcolm speaks to us in his own voice through seven seminal interviews that he granted in the last years of his life, including the controversial 1963 Playboy interview with Alex Haley. The book closes with a collection of essays by outstanding American writers examining the meaning of Malcolm X's contribution and assessing his place in American history. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Insightful!
This book does a fantastic job of painting Malcolm X in the eyes of those who knew him and were touched by him. It really gives an insight into the life of one of the most influential men in history. I loved what Maya Angelou, Eldridge Cleaver, and Robert Penn Warren had to say. Other highlights are the interview with Claude Lewis, Malcolm's last TV interview with Pierre Barton, and On The Air with Joe Rainey, in which Malcolm discusses his split with Muhammad. It was secretely recorded by the FBI.

Of course Alex Haley's "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a must read as well! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

malcom X
The book molcom X was a very good book. Im telling you if you havent read this book you need to check it out.The book tells you about when he was younger malcom X was in and out of jail he studed Islam. Malcom X met all kinds of people including dr.martin luther king jr. they both stood for the same thang.He met cassius clay a.k.a. muhammad ali on february 21,1965 he was shot while speaking at a rally. I recommend this book because it was realy good and its lets you and me know more abuot him and how he lived and the thing he did to make this world a better place for you and me.

AN O.K. BOOK
This book wasn't very good, but it wasn't horrible. It could have been MUCH better and it is much better than some of the other Black American Series. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A great book!
This wonderful biography on Malcom X is an intriguing book talking about Malcom's life and greatest triumphs. It describes his life as a child, on the streets, in prison, and as a leader. It told me almost everything I wanted to know about his life, with a some interesting tidbits to keep it from getting boring, but not too many so it isn't a foot thick. The book starts out nicely, with a story about when Malcom made sure that a young African American man captured by the police is kept in good health. Although, after reading this grabbing article, the book slows down a little bit, don't stop, because ahead of you is a fun and informative novel containing everything you wanted to know about this wonderful leader.

A first hand look at the man himself
I recommend this book to anyone who is curious as to who Malcom X is. It is not a biography, but a collection of interviews and speeches that reveal the essence of a natural born leader. Malcom X lived in a time where his people where treated as second class citizens, where every genuine attempt to counter the mistreatment of blacks was met with opposition, either by supremacist groups or the Government's inability to protect the rights of his people.
Naturally he develops a militant stand against the injustice, as every other measure seemed futile. The militancy undeniably made him notorious in the media circles and he was often misunderstood of misquoted by the establishment. By objectively reading his words as they are transcribed, one cannot help but agree that he is indeed a revolutionary philosopher and activist, unafraid and eager to change his views as he learns more about the struggle for universal human rights.
This is a must read for people who are curious to learn more about the real civil rights struggle, a stark contrast from the rosy pictures that are painted every year in Febuary.

Profile of a Racist Icon
This book does not deserve any stars, not due to its technical profficiency as the book is well written.
However this work does nothing to condemn the racist, anti-white attitude taken by the subject, or the subjects links with international black supremacist regimes and terrorist organisations.
Those who fail to condemn racism, including black racism, are condoning it - the author has therefore taken the moral low ground.

Malcolm X, By any means necessary
The novel Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary is a well written description of Malcolm's entire life including his troubles and his triumphs. The book is basically broken down into four stages of Malcolm's life. The first part of the book tells about Malcolm as a child, and all of his problems that his family encountered. The second part of the books talks about Malcolm as a teenager when he learned the streets and was often getting himself into trouble. The third part of the book describes Malcolm's interest in the Nation of Islam and his ability to influence other people. The final part of the book tells about Malcolm becoming a true Muslim and his split from the Nation of Islam. In the book Malcolm X proves to be a convincing hero because he has the will to lead others, his courage to spread his word and he searches for the best life could offer.
Malcolm had an amazing power to lead people and have influence over people. Malcolm's leadership is evident throughout a large chunk of the novel. When Malcolm became a member of the Nation of Islam he was made a minister. As a minister Malcolm was able to preach in all of the temples involved in the Nation of Islam. Malcolm spread the message of the Nation of Islam to everyone he preached to. All of Malcolm's preaching was influencing many people and more and more African-Americans started to join the Nation of Islam. Malcolm had a "genius for reaching places in the African-American soul." (pg.88) His keen sense of leadership and influence made him a very powerful person in the United States. Later in the biography Malcolm has a split from the Nation of Islam and decides to become a true Muslim. Malcolm now had a new message to preach and a new reason to lead people. Malcolm then formed the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Because of Malcolm's split from the Nation of Islam and his uncanny ability to lead people, Malcolm was a powerful man.
Throughout the book Malcolm shows signs of his courage which leads him to become a hero for everyone and a powerful leader. During Malcolm's time in jail after his ruff teenage years, Malcolm realized that he wanted to be a part of the Nation of Islam. He not only wanted to be a part of it he wanted to devote his whole heart to the Nation of Islam. Most African-Americans during this time were poor and led lives that weren't going anywhere. Malcolm saw this and he wanted to change it. Malcolm went above and beyond most blacks and started to teach blacks the message of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm was able to get many African-Americans to join the Nation of Islam and helped them realize that there was something in life to live for. Because of Malcolm's willingness to help the African-American race and his courageousness to be a minister in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm would be a hero to all African-Americans. Malcolm also shows courage when he splits from the Nation of Islam. Malcolm was living a fine life and was doing what he wanted to do when he split from the Nation of Islam. Malcolm decided that he wanted something more, and that he wanted to be a true Muslim. After he became a true Muslim he continued to preach to the African-American community and led his people with the same dignity as he did within the Nation of Islam. Malcolm had enough courage to leave the Nation of Islam because he wanted to find something more in his life. His courageousness in this example leads him to finding the truth and explaining what is right.
Malcolm's search for what was best in his life was another example in the novel, which makes Malcolm a clear hero. There are two main examples of this. First, Malcolm wants to change his criminal ways as a teenager and become involved religiously in the Nation of Islam. Malcolm becomes the main minister and he builds many temples throughout the eastern part of the U.S. to spread the message of the Nation of Islam. Because of Malcolm's strong leadership he is able to recruit many African-Americans to join the Nation of Islam. Malcolm's search for a better life makes Malcolm a powerful and strong individual. Another example of why Malcolm's search for a better life makes him a hero is when he splits from the Nation of Islam. As Malcolm preached within the Nation of Islam, his ideas were becoming different than that of its founder, Elijah Muhammad. Because Malcolm's ideas are much different than the original ideas of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm decides to become a true Muslim. Malcolm makes the trip to Africa and takes the pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm becomes a real Muslim and is able to find a better life. Malcolm begins to preach his new message and gains respect from many African-Americans. Malcolm's becoming of a true Muslim shows that Malcolm wants to find the truth in life and that he wants the best for all African-American people.
Malcolm X was indeed a great person and a hero to everyone he influenced. Malcolm was a powerful leader. He preached with the Nation of Islam and later with his own organization the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Malcolm was a courageous person because he was able to help blacks when they thought that nothing was left for them. Lastly Malcolm was someone who was always looking for a better life. He received a new life after his years in prison and also received a new life when he split from the Nation of Islam. All of Malcolm's characteristics are well depicted in this biography and show how great and heroic of a person Malcolm X really was.

Revolutionary Strategy Applicable Today
By Any Means Necessary consists of lectures (including responses to audience questions) as well as interviews by reporters both hostile and friendly.

Malcom's revolutionary strategy for confronting and overcoming the oppression of African-Americans in the 1960s is applicable today for the working class and oppressed people everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One man's dream of decency and dignity
Dr. Magnus O. Bassey brings Malcolm X back to life for those who were not fortunate enough to have heard him when he was alive. Malcolm started his life in poverty, saw his father lynched, spent a great deal of time in foster care and finally went to prison, but was able to rise from the rubble and become one of America's foremost leaders. He frequently said pushing for civil rights was not what Afro-Americans should be about, but rather they should be pushing for human rights because then their plight could be brought to the United Nations as well as getting buy-in from African leaders. He wanted to show the world what the mighty, democratic America was doing to her very own citizens.

Malcolm started out with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, but after traveling to Mecca and other places outside the United States, he became more interested in worldwide human rights. Even today Malcolm's Organization of Afro-American Unity is real and relative to our times. He outlines how Afro-Americans should organize, what their goals should be and how those goals can be accomplished. It would be so helpful in the ongoing struggle for human rights if more people were familiar with his work.

Dr. Bassey has written a concise, informational book that everyone in the country needs to be aware of, in order to set aside some of the myths about the condition of this country and its stand or lack thereof, for human rights. He covered Malcolm's life in an unbiased manner, covering both his good points and those that weren't so good, such as referring to whites as devils early in his career. I found the book to be a wonderful resource for those details you'd like to remember forever but can't. It is a book that I will keep as a reference for information on Malcolm X.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™Reviewers
... Read more