The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley - Book Report/Review Example

Other 07 May Malcolm X The of the book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, Alex Haley is an African American. Alex Haley had served in the Coast Guard initially, and later took up writing. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” is Alex Haley’s first book. The book describes the journey of Mr. Malcolm from a common man to a national figure. The book highlights the contributions of Malcolm in promoting the welfare of Afro- American people. The book also summarizes the end of his life including his dreadful assassination in Audubon Ballroom, New York. Haley wrote the book, keeping view on the interviews he conducted with Malcolm in the year 1963 and his assassination in 1965. While reading the book, one could get the impression of Malcolm X himself talking to the readers. Alex Haley’s “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” has been a bestseller since 1965. It was listed in the top 10 nonfiction books that influenced 20th century readers. The book also bagged Anisfield -Wolf Book Award in 1966. In the book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, the author reveals the life history of Malcolm X. Malcolm X himself narrates his life to the author. As described by Malcolm the author Alex Haley says, that Malcolm was born on 19 May, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were Earl and Louise Little. He was the seventh child of his father, and the fourth child of his mother. His father (Louise Little) was a Baptist who followed the Marcus Garvey philosophy. Marcus was an activist who urged Africans in America to return to their home land. His father always supported the Afro- Americans (Negros), and believed in Marcus Garvey’s philosophy that Negros would be independent and happy only if they leave America and return to Africa. As mentioned earlier, he was the seventh child of his parents. His father had 3 children from his earlier marriage and then he married Earl, Malcolm’s mother. The author says that Malcolm describes how helpless he felt when their house was set on fire by two white people at midnight. Their father took the help of his friends temporarily for clothes and shelter. They had to change their house several times due to the harassment of the white people. Malcolm revealed to the author that he never considered Jesus as divine, and that he never believed in religion. He also said that the condition of the Negros then was very bad, as they didn’t have food to eat. The condition of Malcolm’s family was no different sometimes they shared a single doughnut among themselves. The author says that Malcolm’s father at times used to take him for his preaching serve as, where he overheard his father saying “it would not be much longer before Africa would be completely run by Negroes- by black men” (X, Haley 6). His father was later killed. Later his mother became mentally unstable, and she was sent to a mental hospital. The court took care of Malcolm and his siblings. He was a bright student in school. He worked during his school days. In later years he served as a waiter. He got involved in criminal activities which included robbery, drug trafficking, and gambling. His lifestyle changed when he became famous as Detroit Red as he had read hair. The author says that Malcolm went to prison for robbery in 1946, for robbery for ten years. While in prison, he read many books on religion, philosophy and history. His brother Reginald introduced him to Nation of Islam, an organization also known as Black Muslims the founder of which was Elijah Muhammad. This transformed his life. By this time he started believing that while people behaved badly with the blacks. Hence he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Malcolm X. He was appointed “the minister of Temple Seven” (X, Haley 5) which is a Black Muslim Temple, and there he formed Malcolm found “Muslim Mosque, Inc” (X, Haley 415). He told the author that Muslim Mosque, Inc will “be the working base for an action program designed to eliminate political oppression, economic exploitation and social degradation suffered daily by twenty –two million Afro Americans.” He had become a close ally of Elijah Muhammad by then. He also started a “Black Nationalist organization known as Organization of Afro-American Unity” (X, Haley 383). When President Kennedy was assassinated a journalist asked him his opinion, and he replied that “the chicken’s coming home to roost”. This statement of Malcolm spread like wild fire all over America through the newspapers and other media. When the matter, reached Elijah Muhammad; he wasn’t happy with this statement. To discipline him Elijah Muhammad ordered 90 days silence to him and ultimately suspension. Malcolm went to Europe, Africa, and even Mecca which is considered the holiest place of Islam. He realized that all of the white were not wicked. He also admitted that he was under wrong impression, and that after visiting these places, he understood the real meaning of Islam. He then changed the name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Thus the transformation was that of a person who hated every white person to someone who thinks that all white people are not bad. Malcolm planned to take the problems of the black to the outside world. He decided to put the issue in United Nations. For this purpose, he sought the help of various countries through his organization. On 21st February 1965, Malcolm was speaking at the organizational meeting of Afro American Unity in Harlem. When he started his speech, a fight started among the audience, and in the melee, three men approached Malcolm with gun and shot him dead. The three men were later convicted. Two among them were black Muslims. But many feel that there was a conspiracy behind his assassination, and that even the U.S government might be involved in it. Malcolm’s assassination did not destroy the influence he had on the general. The Reviews of the Influential Book. Logan’s Review- Logan admits that initially he was not at all unenthusiastic about reading the book “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”. He hardly knew anything about Malcolm, and like any other young ignorant man, he too wasn’t that inspired. After reading the book, he realized that the book is indeed a classic. The book gives a deep insignificants into the experience of blacks in America. It kindles certain undeniable perspectives in a person. Logan says that the heart of the book lies the various transformations that he Malcolm goes through, his struggling childhood days as an Afro- American, the early and mysterious death of his father, his mothers struggle to look after the ten children, his later years as a criminal, as a gangster, his arrest for theft and his total change, vouching for Nation of Islam and its leader Elijah Muhammad. At one point he was so much against the white people that he even celebrated their death. He wanted a racial free America, where the white and the black people co-existed equally. Alex Haley describes Malcolm’s assassination extensively, but Logan feels that the book ended abruptly. He felt cut as though he was off somewhere, and was not sure of how he felt about all the events in the book. But, on the whole, the book was presented in an effective manner according to the Logan. Another reader, Becca Bryony, feels that everyone should read the book at least once in this life time. She feels that there are many ideas that one can learn from this book. Being a white Becca wishes if Malcolm was alive to bring more changes in America today. She further analyses that the book helps one to grow, makes changes in one’s life, and also persuades one to become tolerant. Works Cited X, Malcolm, Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. 1999. Web. 08 May 2012. Read More