Product Description
“Ilyasah Shabazz has written a compelling and lyrical coming-of-age story as well as a candid and heart-warming tribute to her parents. Growing Up X is destined to become a classic.”
–SPIKE LEE

February 21, 1965: Malcolm X is assassinated in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom. June 23, 1997: After surviving for a remarkable twenty-two days, his widow, Betty Shabazz, dies of burns suffered in a fire. In the years between, their six daughters reach adulthood, forged by the memory of their parents’ love, the meaning of their cause, and the power of their faith. Now, at long last, one of them has recorded that tumultuous journey in an unforgettable memoir: Growing Up X.

Born in 1962, Ilyasah was the middle child, a rambunctious livewire who fought for–and won–attention in an all-female household. She carried on the legacy of a renowned father and indomitable mother while navigating childhood and, along the way, learning to do the hustle. She was a different color from other kids at camp and yet, years later as a young woman, was not radical enough for her college classmates. Her story is, sbove all else, a tribute to a mother of almost unimaginable forbearance, a woman who, “from that day at the Audubon when she heard the shots and threw her body on [ours, never] stopped shielding her children.” ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

This book is a waste of time and money!
I was really impressed by Alex Haley's autobiography of Malcolm X. There is absolutely no doubt that he was a great man and a great leader. Too bad his life was cut short by his enemies. After reading that book, I wanted to know more about MalcolmX and his family life so I thought it was a good idea to buy a book written by one of his daughters. If I ever regretted wasting my money on a book, this was it. Believe me, it turns out that the author,Ilyasah Shabazz was too young at the time of her father's assassination and has no recollections of her him; does not talk about relations between the sisters or the family life in general. It is HER life story. It looks like when their mother was busy building her career and was trying to make ends meet,, the kids were left on their own and had no sense of direction while growing up. The father was a devout muslim whereas the girls had boy friends like regular Americans andare nothing like muslims in their way of life. Although Betty Shabaz must have been a brave woman but it seems as if the girls were totally neglected and almost everybody in the family turned out to be a mess. I was extremely disappointed by this book; I think it is just a cheap way to use MalcolmX's name to make money.

A must read-A family Legacy...
I'd first like to ask permission from my elders to even speak on such a legendary family...Thank you...

Ilyasah gives us who only know the X's through what we've been told the true behind the scene details of what the family was like. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I feel honored to even know this wonderful woman and glad to have crossed paths with her. Ilyasah, keep up the hard work for many of us count on you and your family for strength in our times of need. Thanks for this wonderful and insightful book of knowledge and history. Your friend and comrade in the struggle,

Dashaun Jiwe Morris- Author War of the Bloods in My Veins

Growing is by no means easy!
I felt the book was very insightful.The whole world probably wanted to know how Malcolm X's children faired after is death.They deserved the good education and the care that their mother gave them or that the world could give them. I applaud Betty for it.I disagree with one review which said she was all over the place in the book or went from one thing to another.I believe she is remembering as a two year old and we've got to think of it from that prospective. We should expect them to have lived a sheltered life, but it seemed as though Ilyasah tried to break the mold but couldn't.(smile) I am proud that she had the courage to write about her private life. My mom was a great follower of Malcom X and even took my brother to his funeral. We will all forever miss her mother and father.I too think that they are together now in peace.

Disappointing
I don't think this book lived up to the hype. It's very disorganized and the topics she discusses are all over the place. She skips around throughout the entire book. Her tone is also a bit irritating. I expected a mature narration of her life, but it seemed like the book was written by a teenager.

The author was often overly dramatic when it came to simple topics, stuck to unimportant topics for too long, gave important issues very little attention, and kept referring to her mother as "Mommy". I sensed a repetition of the same issues. There also wasn't a shortage of clichés in the book: She mentions during 4 or 5 different instances that she started "Finding out who I really was".

Despite the struggles her parents endured, it seems she has lived a very sheltered life and had pretty much everything handed to her: She got into college without applying, had all her expenses taken care of throughout college, and didn't seem to have many responsibilities, even throughout adulthood. I found it strange that she didn't read her father's autobiography until she got to college. You'd expect the daughter of a civil rights leader to be much more involved, but she either didn't care enough to continue his work or simply didn't mention it. Overall this book didn't give me the insight I had expected. It was very shallow and I didn't find much substance in it. She doesn't seem to have many significant life experiences, but rather chose to write about that of her parents.

Growing Up X
I felt that this was a great book. This book has shown how a mother and her children who had seen there father and husband killed . But still the the mother went on tocontinute her education while seeing that her girls recevied the best education
they could receive. I feel that Malcolm X was a man way before his time and this didn't start with Malcolm X it began with Malcolm X's father. Who also was a man before his time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A Life Changing Impact
Before trying to give a review of this book, I would say, it can't be described only experienced. Meaning, the impact this story imprints on a mind is beyond explanation. We have heard of, or seen great men throughout history who stood for our struggle, but to actually be able to get a glimpse into the mind of that man was intense. I read this book in 3 days because it just would not let me put it down. All black men should add this to his collection and understand the essence of God that he possesses which can put any one of us in a position like Brother Malcolm. From promising student, to utter moral confusion, the transformation brought about that only Islam can bring.... If this isn't a 5 star book just because of the story, not even the psychological impact it should have on black men, then no other book gets 5 stars. Brother Malcolm is a true role model because he stood up, PERIOD! When no one else was standing up for the masses of people, this one did. We have to be eternally gratefully for these brothers who tried to wake up the black man under so much pressure from white man society. Without them, where would we be today? Scary thought ain't it?

Poor
It arrived on the estimated time but the book's cover was torn and falling apart. And while it was not missing any pages, not having a proper cover made me have to be extra cautious while reading the book. The only reason why I did not return it was because I really needed it for schoolwork.

The Greatest
One of the best books ever written, it is a must read for a young man and any one who loves them

heavy for any
with pleasure, i give this book what it deserves, a whopping 5 stars!
earl little's (malcolm) experience, struggles, battles, falls/ups and victories will make a boot-camp look like a child's playground.
his nationalistic views opened the minds of many. when he gave an informative speech, the audience were touched (both friend /foe).
his political tongue brought fear into the hearts of the many apologists who hugged imperialism.

every time that i read any book about malcolm,it reminds me ofpedro albizu campos (1893-1965 (president of the puerto rican nationalistic party)).

like malcolm, campos was a threat towards exploitation. he exposed the ideology, trickery and manipulation the u.s. played on latin america (particularly puerto rico).
to break the rhythm of his continuing growth, he was put into prison. WORST, he was subjected to radiation experiments.

brother malcolm's rebellious strength towards this nation opened many sealed doors.
one of the prime reasons why obama is in office is because of malcolm's eternal political impact.

a great read!

as far as his theological/racist views are concerned, he did an immediate reversal.
when he did pilgrimage, his brain was hit hard by flabbergast.
he did ablution next to white muslims, he prayed, eat, drank and conversed with white muslim brothers. he realized that the true religion of islam does not look at the skin color of anyone.

when he returned, he made it clear to the audience that his hypothalamus was molded by an impostor. malcolm had the intelligence to recognize his fault/weakness and trash it.

i think that many in the rap industry/hood etc, would stop using that self-degrading six letter world if they read this book.

a lucid read for anyone.

Excellent Bio!
This Biography of Malcolm X is one of the best biographies I've ever read. It really helped me get inside the perspective of one of our country's most powerful and controversial civil rights activists. Amazing to watch his transition from troubled youth, to criminal, to prison inmate, to self-educated racist, to his final transformation in which he embraced all races.

An important read!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Malcolm X's political evolution after he left the Nation of Islam. Analyzes the conflicts that resulted in Malcolm's being driven out of the Nation, his views on how to combat anti-Black discrimination, and how, as he put it, to "internationalize" the struggle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Essential
I agree that this is the best book on Malcolm X and the evolution of his thought and action in the last year of his life.Breitman does well to faithfully draw out, including the contradictions Malcolm was working through, the pathways Malcolm was pursuing... his aims, his objectives, his goals... Breitman gives good context, clearly debunks myths and obfuscations and tackles common attacks that were levied against Malcolm in the year before and after his murder.Should be read hand in hand with Malcolm X Speaks... pretty much essential if you care at all about anything really.

Great Book, Helps to Really Understand Malcolm
I, like the author, believe that the Autobiography of Malcolm X left out crucial elements to understanding Malcolm's life and sentiments because it did not cover his life to the last day.This book actually looks at Malcolm's life in three separate stages:his life up until and including being a Nation of Islam spokesperson, his transition period while he was breaking with the Nation of Islam and shortly thereafter, and the path he was setting for himself as he was killed.

This book aims to prove that Malcolm was setting an anti-imperialist path, and internationalist path, an anti-capitalist path, a truly revolutionary and truly dangerous (for the ruling classes) path.

I think the book proves it, and I respect Malcolm all the more for it.

This book also contains criticisms of Malcolm by various people, notably some liberals, and so it's good to get an idea of where people stood, who was really afraid of Malcolm and what he was really starting to represent.

Great malcolm
This is a great book for the period of time in Malcolm's life that might be the least covered.Not to long of a read, but full of information not readily available when looking for Malcolm.

It dispels the idea of Malcolm just being a racist anti Semite, how he was portrayed by the media during and after his life, but installs the belief that he was a revolutionary fighting for the human rights of all, and nothing could more truthful.

The Real Malcolm In His Last Year
This excellent little book traces the evolution of the thought and action of Malcolm X in the last eleven months of his life.Malcolm rejected the anti-Semitism and anti-woman policies of the Nation of Islam, and its refusal to involve itself in the civil rights movement. He continued to more and more place the Black struggle in this country in the world context : in the context of the struggle of the workers and farmers in Asia , Africa, and Latin America against imperialism, Yanki imperialism in the first place. He continued to expose the role of the Democratic Party to fool the masses of working people into thinking that we have a friend among our oppressors and exploiters. More and more, he spoke out against capitialism as the cause of racism and described himself unabashedly as pro-socialist.He spoke of the Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cuban revolutions as examples of what we working people must do HERE for the future of all humanity. The author is no academic ' observer'; he covered Malcolm's evolution for The Militant newspaper, the only place Malcolm's speeches were published in full and undistorted after he left the Nation of Islam. This book is an excellent companion volume to read alongside Malcolm's actual speeches, also published by Pathfinder Press.

Malcolm in action
I was surprised when I read this book. It gives Malcolm X's speech announcing his political program for fighting for Black control of the black community and Justice.I didnt know what that was before I read it. I read the talk Malcolm gave introducing the program and he talks about how he was supposed to bring Che Guevara up to the meeting, but Che couldn't make it. Heavy Stuff.Breitman is pretty good at defending Malcolm X against critics and showing what the man stood for without imposing his own views on him.We need to see how Malcolm X was in action to get a better idea how we can advance the struggle. ... Read more

Product Description
The full impact of Malcolm X, his personality and hismission come urgently to life in this definitive anthology of hiswritings, speeches and manifestos along with writings about him by aninternational group of African and African American scholars andactivists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Revealing
Much of the info in this book people may already be privi to. But Malcolm's exchanges with the F.B.I makes the book worth while by itself. He referring to "Past Master" many times I found odd (some say Malcolm was killed because he was about to be made a Mason). His interview with Kenneth Clark was very revealing and frank. He took C. Erick Lincoln to task for Dubbing the N.O.I as"Black Muslims" he called black an adjectival noun attached to Muslim incorrect.

I found the essay by Betty Shabazz most touching and revealing. Especially mentioning the children's reaction to seeing their father present watching himself on T.V. the children had to look at the T.V. up close then look at their daddy equally as close and wonder how could he be in two places at the same time (they were quite young at this time). Betty Shabazz had this to say about what she learned from Malcom "Malcolm was the greatest thing in my life and he taught me what every female ought to learn: to live and to love as a woman, to be true to myself and my responsibilities as a mother. And to use my spiritual, material, and intellectual capacities to help build a better human society"

Everything is a conspiracy...
It doesn't take very long to understand this person's view of the world: everything is a conspiracy against the black man. Just read a few of his speeches in this book, just his view on the most simplistic things, such as anthropolgical terms of race classifications, that they are designed to promote whitey, and you'll realize this book is not very objective.This book dares to call Malcolm X the most pivotal figure in Afro-American history. Carver who? Booker T. Washington who?MLK who?! No, no, no. Didn't you know that Malcolm X--the pro-violence, Islamic extremist--is your hero? Pathetic. Dangerous propaganda in the wrong hands. I am throwing my copy away; I won't resell it.

Interesting
I had to read this book when I was doing a paper for school and at first I thought that this was boring but as I got into the book the life of Malcolm X was very intregueing. I enjoyed learning about this facinating man.Readths book-it is very good. ... Read more

Product Description
This expanded edition includes four talks and an interview given to young people in Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States in the last months of his life. Among the new material in this edition is the entire December 1964 debate presentation by Malcolm X at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, in print for the first time anywhere. The collection concludes with two memorial tributes by a young socialist leader to this great revolutionary, whose example and words continue to speak the truth for generation after generation of youth. With a new preface and an expanded photo display of 17 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Greatly Surprised
I brought this book because of the title and the cost, plus it's Malcolm, but when I began to read it, it was more than what I expected to be. Best 80 cents I ever spent

Some excerpts
I think the best way to describe this wonderful book is a few excerpts (from the 2002 expanded edition).

"The young generation of whites, Blacks, browns, whatever else there is -- you're living at ... a time of revolution, a time when there's got to be a change.... And I for one will join in with anyone, I don't care what color you are, as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this earth."

"It is the teenagers ... all over the world, who are actually involving themselves in the struggle to eliminate oppression and exploitation.... The young people are the ones who most quickly identify with the struggle and the necessity to eliminate the evil conditions that exist."

"In America the Black community in which we live is not owned by us. The landlord is white. The merchant is white. . . . And these are the people who suck the economic blood of our community."

"We are not for violence in any shape or form, but believe that the people who have violence committed against them should be able to defend themselves.... I have never said that the Negroes should initiate acts of aggression against whites, but where the government fails to protect the Negro he is entitled to do it himself."

[In Africa] "I'm from America but I'm not an American. I didn't go there of my own free choice.... [I am] one of the victims of Americanism, ... one of the victims of a very hypocritical system that is going all over this earth today representing itself as being qualified to tell other people how to run their country when they can't get the dirty things that are going on in their own country straightened out."

[In Africa] "When we find a Black man who's always receiving the praise of the Americans, we become suspicious of him.... Because it has been our experience that the Americans don't praise any Black man who is really working for the benefit of the Black man."

"It is impossible for capitalism to survive, primarily because the system of capitalism needs some blood to suck. Capitalism used to be like an eagle, but now it's more like a vulture. It used to be strong enough to go and suck anybody's blood whether they were strong or not. But now it has become more cowardly, like the vulture, and it can only suck the blood of the helpless."

I recommend the ads in the back of the book. Pathfinder Press is defined by a political goal, not commercial success. It aims to provide a platform for revolutionary leaders speaking in their own words. If you like one book, you will probably like others.

New Expanded edition is now out from Pathfinder
A new expanded edition of this book has been available since November 2002!
This new edition includes 43 more pages than the previous edition, with the complete text of Malcolm's Speech at Oxford and a more complete text of his speech at the London School of Economics.The expanded introduction together with Jack Barnes' "He spoke the truth to our generation of revolutionists," a memorial speech for Malcolm given in March 5, 1965, provides an excellent short introduction to Malcolm's life and ideas.

There is a six-page index, eight pages of notes, as well as an expanded photo display of 17 pages including Malcolm X with students and young people from Tanzania to Alabama, including a picture of Fidel Castro and Malcolm X smiling together in Harlem in 1960 when they were both still young!

This edition of Malcolm X Speaks to Young People is being produced together with a first-ever Spanish-language edition, entitled Malcolm X habla a la juventud, which is being released simultaneously by Pathfinder Press and by Casa Editora Abril, the publishing house of the Union of Young Communists in Cuba.


While this book may not be directly available from Amazon at times, they are available from the booksfrompathfinderon Amazon that you can find by clicking on the new and used books on this page.

Malcolm X: the internationalist
Malcolm X Talks to Young People is an immensely relevant and instructive book for the young and the young at heart.His words, spoken to university students in Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 1964-65, ring as true today as they did then.

"I just try to face the fact as it actually is and come to this meeting as one of the victims of America, one of the victims of Americanism, one of the victims of democracy, one of the victims of a very hypocritical system that is going all over this earth today representing itself as being qualified to tell other people how to run their country when they can't get the dirty things that are going on in their own country straightened out,"he told students at the University of Ghana, May 13, 1964.

Rebel Youth :Read This NOW,Then Autoiography
Originally issued as the first Gulf War began,in these pages Malcolm explains how in the Congo the US govt bombed women,men,children, and babies and called THEM terrorists,as he points out,the same as in Vietnam.He shows how it was the U.S. and U.S.-flunky ( "anti-Castro Cubans pilots" ) who were the terrorists in the Congo in the early to mid 1960s. At a time when the word "hero" is twisted so obscenely, it is a breath of fresh clean air to read Malcom's descriptions of the herois Simba fighters of the Congo who tried, and failed to liberate their country from U.S. neocolonial domination after kicking out the Belgian colonizers, and to hear him describe the equally heroic fighters who defeated the Empire in China and Cuba and Vietnam in the same terms.He exposes the use of UN cover for the Yanqui Empire's wars and drive for profits.He explains that these crimes are the doings of a system, the imperialist system ,as he calls it himself.He points out they use the cops to do the same at home :brutalize working people. Malcolm further points out that both the Republican AND the Democratic parties are the twin parties of racism and imperial exploitation. Oh yes, both parties ! He explains how he came to the conclusion that " capitalism is like a vulture...it used to be able to suck anybody's blood...but now it can only suck the blood of the helpless. It's only a matter of time , in my opinion, before it will collapse completely " and how he became prosocialist. He points to the Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cuban revolutions as examples for Blacks - today he would add and we can add, all working people --to emulate in this country, in our time.And, he makes his stand to fight alongside anyone, any color, who fights to better condtiions for humans on this earth. As the 2nd Gulf War begins, again under UN cover and "inspections" just as the liberals pleaded, as more working people's blood, Iraq and American, for the sake of theoil profits of a tiny few, it is good to be reminded that as, Malcolm says in thesepages, " The young generation of whites, Blacks, browns-you're living at a time of revolution." He was right then andhe is still right.If you seek serious fundamental social change, you owe it to yourself to buy and STUDYthis book. ... Read more

Product Description
The autobiography of Malcolm X which traces his rise to prominence as one of the leading black spokesmen of his day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

excellent
This was entertaining as well as educating. I love a bio that can keep your interest and help you to appreciate the person of subject. It informs the reader more about the intimate and personal details of Malcolm X's life and what motivated him. His passion could inspire all leaders.

Bought as a gift
Bought as a gift for someone.Product was just as described and arrived quickly.

Pleased
I was a little disappointed with Malcolm X's Autobiography. Although the book shipped quickly and arrived between the 7-14 day window, it's a different version than the one seen in the picture. The book is in good condition like it stated. Overall, I was pleased with the service and quickness.

Malcolm X
This is an excellent source for material about the civil rights movement. It is the experiences of a Black Muslim in a White world. I recommend this book for Junior and Senior High School students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

x marks the spot
the original autobiography as told to alex haley. malcolm in his own words, hustler, hoodlum, thief, junkie, pullman, draft dodger, Detroit Red, jazz lover, prisoner, orphan, reverend, minister, husband, father, orator, leader, organizer, messenger. if there is an american success story of rags to riches, it is the story of el malix el shabazz, the first black nationalist. ... Read more

Product Description
For this paperback edition of a major work on one of the most important black leaders of this century, the author, a senior editor of Newsweek, has added a substantial epilogue which argues convincingly that three of the five accomplices in Malccolm X's assassination in 1965 are still free. (Univ. of Illinois Press) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A worthwhile read
Reviewed by Dr. Abdul Salaam first health professional (Dentist) to join the Nation of Islam (1957), dentist to Malcolm X, Minister Louis Farrakhan and (The Honorable) Elijah Muhammad.

This book was for me one of the more thoughtful and clear expositions looking at a short segment of his life pre Malcolm X but focusing primarily on the last year and a half after Malcolm had left the Nation of Islam and a short time after his death that took a close look at his overall economic as well as his conjectured mental state during that time. The fact that Goldman was both a well respected journalist and a Whiteman who had known and was writing about Malcolm, in my opinion, produced a book of unusual insights and depth. Goldman was interviewed in the film An American Experience PBS documentary "Malcolm X Make It Plain" (a film containng segments from my collection on Malcolm and the Nation of Islam) to discuss his perspective on Malcolm.If anyone is still into the "Whiteman is the Devil" thingI suggest care be exercised by holding that bias in abeyance so as not to be blinded by that belief when reading the book.They may miss an important contribution to understanding Malcolm X. and the hardships he endured both in spite of and because of his fame.We all wear some kind ofblinders as I tried to indicate in the chapter on "My Story" in my own soon to be released publication, Myths vs Realities, (The Honorable) Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X, an Islamic Perspective. We should always keep that in mind.

Truth and Alive
On all of the chapters what happen back then is still very alive today.

Well Written Account of Malcolm X 's Assassination and Life
Anyone who has read Alex Haley's "Autobiography of Malcolm X" would be interested in this account by Goldman. Notice the title puts the word "death" before "life". The author delves into the mystery connected with Malcolm's assassination and the resulting coverup of the facts. Issues with the Nation of Islam are also addressed in a non-bias approach. Goldman also intelligently presents his case as being qualified to write about Malcolm X, despite the fact that he is a white man. Although there is no "smoking gun" as to who was truly behind Malcolm's assassination, this book is a good read. ... Read more

Product Description
A photographic tribute to the life, words, and deeds of the beloved civil rights leader presents 110 duotone photographs--taken by such greats as Gordon Parks and Eve Arnold--that document Malcolm X's work as a militant, orator, and family man. Simultaneous. ... Read more

Product Description
SINCE MALCOLM X EXPLOSIVE AUTOBIOGRAAPHY THIS IS THE M0STIMPORTANT BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ. SEVENTH CHILD

A family memoir of Malcolm X
Rodnell P. Collins,nephew Of Malcolm X with A. Peter Bailey

Malcolm X The Man Behind The Myth
A Loving Sister's Blood Memories of a Challenged "son"
His Controversial Analysis about American Foreign Policy
Never-Before-Published Family Photographs and Letters

Seventh Child, Seventh Son: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X. offersinvaluable contribution and insight to one of twentieth century americasmost charismatic, controversial and provocative figure. On Malcolm XOf the forty publications in eight languages, none provided such insighton a man and his time's, excepting, his own Autobiography. Through the eyesof a compassionate loving sister, Ella Little-Collins, knew him best andher son, Rodnell Collins, to whom Malcolm X was a much-loved and admireduncle and mentor,

Ella's enduring and tenacious loyalty to her brother permeate the entirebook. She was Malcolm's protreptic, not his inhibitor, Malcolm-Little (thechild) was an inherent pedagogue, Ella felt. To accomplish this task shebecame his legal guardian brought Malcolm into her home after their fatherwas lynched and Malcolm mother was Institutionalized, Late in his teenageyears he Was very rebellious, this contributed to his incarceration toprison, Ella arranged for his transfer to a progressive prison colony,with a large open library, the prison. offered University course's intheology, Malcolom debated University students, and recieved hiscertificate in theology from one of the participating Universities.

While in the nation of Islam, Ella often served as confidant he confidedhis growing concerns about the rampant corruption in nation of Islamheadquarters. Ella and Rodnell lived those moments with Malcolm and hisfamily, when attempts were made on his life, The night Malcolms home wasfire bomb, his sister and nephew came to their rescue. Rodnell along withmembers of Malcolms organization were publicly attacked by three car loadsof nation of, Islam thugs and informents in Boston, Massachusetts tryingto make and attempt on the life Of Malcolm X 1964. It was his sister Ellawho finance his trips abroad and to the Holy city of Mecca Saudia Arabia.

In the early dawn hours before Malcolms assassination Ella and Rodnellwere his discussant's, on the human-right's violations of Africansamericans and Native Americans by the Untied States, an issue he intentedto bring before The United Nations World Court. A public pronouncement, hemake in relationship to that, The African and Asian American diaspora andtheir connection to United States foreign policy, the two speeches both InNew York City, April 8, 1964 and December 12, 1964 "Communication andReality", he knew his pronouncement and position with the N.O.I. at thattime may I mean his life, Malcolm forebode, Ella, that of my death " Ifeel like a grain of sand on the sea shore, if in someway I have changethe course of the tide" It would have been with his life, he knew he hadto answer to god for any of his own mistakes the import of those words didnot take heart of Ella in those early hours before his death that day, Butit would come.

African and Asian numeral science and the science of cosmology use basenumeral seven. It is practiced among these society the seventh child orson will emerge and perform great works or a leader. Malcolm X was hisfather's seventh child.

Twenty five years before her death, in august 1996, Ella worked on amemoir of her brother and the little family through the generations withseveral author's James Baldwin, Louis Lomax, and Art Aveilhe to no avail.A first cousin, educator Oscar V. Little, began researching the Littlefamily genealogy, she was enthusiastic and elated when his diligence cameto fruition with the discovery of great-grandparents, Tony and Clarrie,and family primogenitor AJAR, brought from West Africa to enslavement inthe Carolina's. in early 1800s. " It was Malcolm found wish to know hisancestor who first arrived on these shores", Ella told Rodnell, whoseearliest memory of his uncle being held in his arms as an Infant while Maprepared family dinner". When illness incapacitated his mother in the mid1980s, Rodnell inherited the memoir project. Ella L. Little Collins passedall archived information, Letters, Photographs, several documents and hermemories on to him. " I became as committed to the project she cherishedall those years". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

An Intimate Memoir of Malcolm X

Malcolm X was more than just a prominent civil rights activist. Amongst many things, he was a family man,a charismatic Muslim preacher, a spokesman for the Nation of Islam, a black nationalist, and the founder of the Muslim Mosque Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was controversial, influential, and often times misunderstood.

It is unfortunate that many people today regard him negatively, as a racist, an apostate, a criminal, an extremist, or all of the above. But who is this Malcolm X? What did this man stand for? What were his intentions? And what did he accomplish? In this book, Rodnell P. Collins, Malcolm X's own nephew, addresses these questions.

But this book is not solely focused on Malcolm X. Although he is the central figure in this book, Collins also writes about Malcolm's internal and external family members, and explains the impact they had on him, and vise-versa. Collins tells us about Malcolm's family background, including a little bit about himself. Personally, I found the story of the Little family very fascinating. I think readers will be pleased with the information Collins provides, such as the revelation of Malcolm X's first American ancestor, who was kidnapped from Africa and sold as a slave to the Little family. You'll get somewhat of a brief history lesson on the slave trade in America, here.

Writing from an eye-witness account, Collins touches base on many important subjects regarding Malcolm's life; family, religion, politics, ambitions, etc. Collins also explains why Malcolm X rejected his Christian religion and instead accepted the teachings of "prophet" Elijah Muhammad by joining the Nation of Islam. Other topics include; racism in America, corruption of the NOI, Malcolm's Assassination, Spike Lee's movie, and much more.

In the last pages of the book, you will find a few never-before-published letters from Malcolm and his family, as well as some disturbing letters from Christian extremists of the KKK.

Although an excellent book, there's only one minor flaw in my opinion. And that is the author's tendency to sometimes over-exalt his uncle. For instance, he praises Malcolm for being an intelligent and open-minded individual who saw through the fatuity of black Christians and their faulty beliefs, which prompted Malcolm's conversion to Elijah Muhammad's distorted Muslim sect. But what about Malcolm's own fatuous belief that Elijah Muhammad was divine? Even after Malcolm X was well informed about Elijah's corruption and contradictions, he still had faith in him. I understand where the author is coming from, but I still find it a bit hypocritical, albeit it's nothing too serious and it certainly won't diminish the importance of this book.

This may not be the most elaborate book on Malcolm X, but it's certainly a good one. I highly recommend it.

Excellent Memoir
This was an excellent book which offered more insight into Malcolm's political believes and his work whith other countries which are hardly ever written about.It also made clearer why Malcolm left the Nation of Islam.The book helped to reinforce my belief that Malcolm X was the most sincerest leader in the African American Struggle.

The Seventh Child
This book gave me a greater appreciation of Malcom X as a world leader and a human being. I really enjoyed reading this book during a visit to the Middle East. If you are really into Malcom X and want to know more about him and who he was, do yourself a favor and read this book.

One of the better Malcolm X books
This is clearly one of the better Malcolm X books as it actually tells us something new and firsthand unlike so many other such books that glutted the market in the early 1990s. A bonus is the revelation of the name of Malcolm's actual African ancestor that he wanted to know about through most of his adult life (this was discovered by a family researcher. "Malcolmites" have much to enjoy and learn from here-buy it!

WONDERFUL READING MATERIAL
I JUST STARTED READING THE BOOK LAST WEEK AND CAN NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN. I AM A HISTORY MAJOR AND READING THIS BOOK WITH ALL THIS INFORMATION ABOUT MALCOLM AND HIS OWN FAMILY HISTORY IS WONDERFUL.

MR. COLLINS DID A WONDERFUL JOB!... ... Read more

Product Description
"exhaustively researched" biography of Malcolm X ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Poor Execution
This book is highly based on the authors opinions, instead of delivering hard core facts. While reading this book, I found myself questioning the author's intent. This book was written to diminish the image of Malcolm X, despite it being the first biography on him.

Skip this. Only Farrakhan could write something with more contempt.

A must read for interested parties
Unlike many of the other reviewers, I thought that Perry truly succeeded in this biography of Malcolm.I think that one must have read Malcolm's autobiography to appreciate this book; that said, I'm very glad to have read another source besides the Malcolm/Haley classic.This work does take a critical look into the life of Malcolm, and Perry does seem determined to cast doubt upon Malcolm X's own statements, but I don't think that this was to malign or to lessen Malcolm's credibility and accomplishments.Perry provides the reader with a well researched and backed viewpoint to allow for greater discussion and interpretation of Malcolm's thoughts.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has read Malcolm's autobiography, and who would like to learn more about it.

Reader
This book was obviously written by someone who hates Malcolm X. He had nothing positive to say only negative. He even went so far as to make the reader feel as though everything that Malcolm ever said was a lie. He portrays Malcolm as a person who hated himself but I believe it is the writer of this book who hates Malcolm and his family.

Questionable
This book is good if only for the insight into Malcolm's childhood. Other than that, it makes too many cynical conclusions based on whatever it is the author was trying to get across-- which by the end, is still unclear. Reading the introduction one would assume that this book was poised to breathe new insight on Malcolm the political figure and man. However, what you end up getting is more of a repetitious editorial piece. The author almost insults the intelligence of the reader by constantly rehashing the possible reasoning for Malcolm's every move. At one point, he suggests that Attallah was favored by Malcolm because of her light skin (like his) the way his dark-skinned father had once favored him. Perry also volunteers the very real and most likely possibility that Malcolm took this particular daughter to different events because she was the oldest of the girls. This is just one example of how he insists on giving the reader something to ponder on Malcolm's sincerity as a Black leader, tangible or not. There are parts of this book that indeed ring true with me for what I have interperted Malcolm to be, but these instances are too few and far between. I was in no way expecting an idealized picture to be painted here, only this book offers no real balance. Beyond this wounded Malcolm he avidly portrays, what else was there? Also for the attention he gave to alleged homosexual activity, arson, etc. he mentioned Betty Shabazz sparsely as if she held no importance in Malcolm's life. I found that fact very telling. After supposedly over 400+ interviews, Perry could only gather enough to give the mother of Malcolm's six children passing mentions. I actually got more of a rounded glimpse of Malcolm the man in the biography of Betty Shabazz by Russell J. Rickford. I advise those who are thinking of reading this book first to check out the autobiography w/ Alex Haley instead, then tackle this one if you wish. Even for all its omissions and probable half truths, you'll come away from that book actually understanding something. After reading Mr. Perry's biography, you get the urge to so say, "So?! What was your point?"

Approach With Caution
You have to question what Perry wanted to achieve from this book. He seems to have missed, or overlooked, all of the important issues that Malcolm X stood for.

He takes the word of Malcolm's detractors as the gospel truth and diminishes Malcolm's teachings and beliefs by portraying them as paranoid.

Perry seems obsessed with highlighting flaws in Malcolm's personality and uses this device to side step the vital lessons which Malcolm was trying to teach - lesson's which still need to be learnt today.

By all means read this book, but do so very objectively. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Rip-Off
I'm reviewing the product, not the work itself. Shame on Amazon for selling a mass-market paperback book with glued-on boards as a "Hardback" copy. Had I wanted the eye-straining type of a cheap paperback, I'd have ordered one.

A Legitimate Message for A Legitimate Cause
Malcolm X, along with Dr. King and Huey Newton, were essential to the Movement of civil rights in America. Although his message was viewed by some as rather hostile, was it really? Compared to the treatment of Negroes up until the 1960's,and even into today with the Klu Klux Klan and other ignorant white supremacist leagues, was anything but hostile.
Malcolm X, in his autobiography, exploits the occurances and treatment from whites that shape his character into the person that he came to be. Through a detailed account of his life, X portrays several issues in light of racism and its existence in not only the South, but as well, the North. Yes, Northerners, as truthfully portrayed by X, were racist - however subtle and 'unmeaningly.' His developement into 'Malcolm X' from 'Malcolm Little' is a catalytic event unfortunately unknown to most high school curriculums, yet is AS ESSENTIAL to the Movement as Dr. M.L. King. He held as charged, vociferous, and legitimate message as King, Newton and many others; and, the entire light of this 'spectrum' of characters was essential to the shaping Civil Rights in America. ... Read more

Product Description
Malcolm X is one of the most important figures in the twentieth-century struggle for equality in America. With the passing of time, and changing attitudes to race and religion in American society, the significance of a public figure like Malcolm X continues to evolve and to challenge. This Companion presents new perspectives on Malcolm X's life and legacy in a series of specially commissioned essays by prominent scholars from a range of disciplines. As a result, this is an unusually rich analysis of this important African American leader, orator, and cultural icon. Intended as a source of information on his life, career and influence and as an innovative substantive scholarly contribution in its own right, the book also includes an introduction, a chronology of the life of Malcolm X, and a select bibliography. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Racist False Consciousness Disguised as Democracy
This is an immensely important work. One I am embarrassed to admit has been in my library for more than a decade without having been read. And, had it not been for a reference to it in a speech by the British Psychologist, Robert M. Young (author of the magisterial "Mental Spaces,"), on the issue of Violence and Racism (given in Manitoba, Canada 13 January 1999), even today I might still not have cracked open the book.

My only excuse is that so much of the writings about Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has turned out to be disappointing idle hero-worshiping that it all has become one big rather meaningless blob -- and that includes the rendition by one of my intellectual heroes Michael Eric Dyson. To his credit though, in both the cases of King and Malcolm, Dyson at least tried to get the facts of their lives right.

Here, Wolfenstein has done so much more than just get the facts of Malcolm's life right. This is a full-bodied meta-theoretical analysis of Malcolm's life in the context of America's racist and capitalist culture and economy. And it is one done at a very high intellectual level and wielded with great skill even if it is at times a little intellectually brutal and rough around the edges.

In a deeply honest (rather than fawning) effort to get at the real meaning of Malcolm's life, Wolfenstein has produced a meta-theoretical masterpiece, one that arguably (were it not so politically radioactive (i.e. it has an avowedly socialist bent) and were it not such a raw intellectual expression), should have received a book award at least for inventiveness and creativity.

Wielding Freudian psychological analysis and Marxist political and economic analysis with equal facility and deftness, Wolfenstein has sidestepped much of the story-telling in order to put Malcolm's life experiences into a context of higher theoretical meaning, and might I add, to higher theoretical use.

Using Malcolm's life experiences as THE object lesson of what a racist society can do to one random black individual (and undoubtedly by extension to some extent has done to us all), Wolfenstein has woven together a tightly knit theoretical and social critique of America's racist culture. (It is absolutely scary how well he has done this.)

However, the purpose of this critique is not just to punch another hole into an already weak and crumbling capitalist/racist façade, it is to show where there still might be some light and hope at the end of this nightmarish tunnel and how to eventually find it. And it must be said in passing, that with only a few exceptions, this is a great deal more than most of our black intellectuals have done (and are doing). One of those exceptions, of course, is Professor Cornel West.

If one makes clear that by the "racially oppressed" Wolfenstein means both black and white races, then I believe he has correctly identified the real problem of a racist culture: How does it falsify the consciousness of the racially oppressed. And how do racially oppressed individuals free themselves from both falsification of their consciousness and the racist domination of their practical activity.

Using Malcolm's life experiences as an example (which during his early life, like that of many young black people, lurched from one dark pre-set societal trap to another), Wolfenstein shows us how to get behind the screen of false consciousness that a racist/capitalist culture creates and relies on to do most of its ideological and psychological dirty work. Only beyond this screen is there to be found a truer more authentic reality upon which a humanity of loving, caring, genuine brotherhood, and sharing can rest.

Wolfenstein, using the discrete events of Malcolm's life, demonstrates, beyond doubt, that it is the screen of false consciousness that aids and abets the capitalist project of commodifying our reality, distorting our worldview and thus greatly diminishing our humanity.

By bifurcating our culture into alienated racial and emotional groupings (Wolfenstein's more generalized idea of class), he shows rather graphically, how it is the false consciousness of capitalist exploitation that shapes our worldview -- from the intrapersonal all the way up to the level of culture. It is false consciousness that shapes and deforms individual characters, the psychology, ideology and the cultures of emotional groupings. It shapes our institutions and symbols of state, and causes so much alienation both between and within the various groupings.

The author illustrates how the false consciousness created by America's racist and capitalist social and economic system, commodifed Malcolm's mind and his reality, robbing him of any vestige of an authentic humanity and led him blindly, almost automatically down a path to violence, alienation, drug addiction, crime, exploitation of women, and ultimately to his own self-destruction. Only by getting outside the racist/capitalist paradigm into the Black Muslim religious sect was Malcolm able to partially recover from the damage done to his psyche.

In short, Wolfenstein shows, using Malcolm's life as a vivid object lesson, that it is also the false consciousness in our own lives that is the primary basis for deflecting and distorting our reality from its authentic basis. The authentic basis upon which most of us wish to rest our humanity is on a desire for human relationships based on true emotional feelings unmediated by racist psychology and ideology and that exploits, homogenizes, alienates, commodifies and then greatly diminishes our individual and collective humanity. But it is precisely the things in this list that American democracy does to each of us. And that is why, Wolfenstein considers us all: both black and white, its victims.

Although my own research tends more towards postmodern Freudian analysis of the likes of Otto Rank, Ernest Becker, Norman O. Brown, and especially Robert M. Young and Melanie Kline, Wolfenstein's analysis here using the old Freudian/Marxist model proves that even though it is still tricky, that there is much gold to still be mined from that model.

This is a very, very worthy effort Five stars.

A Complex but Interesting Book
This is a very "wordy" book about a complex man, his life, politics, and beliefs.It is not a history per se of Malcolm X, nor is it a biography, rather it is a collection of ideas within ideas about MalcolmX and what made him tick.I must warn you though it is not as easy book toread, but it rates five stars in my opinion because it attempts to beanalytical and non-judgemental about the man and his times.Not an easytask when you are writing about someone as famous as Malcolm X.This is agood book to supplement Alex Haley's book on Malcolm X as it looks deeperinto the man and what he stood for.Well worth reading if you have thetime and patience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Racist False Consciousness Disguised as Democracy
This is an immensely important work. One I am embarrassed to admit has been in my library for more than a decade without having been read. And, had it not been for a reference to it in a speech by the British Psychologist, Robert M. Young (author of the magisterial "Mental Spaces,"), on the issue of Violence and Racism (given in Manitoba, Canada 13 January 1999), even today I might still not have cracked open the book.

My only excuse is that so much of the writings about Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has turned out to be disappointing idle hero-worshiping that it all has become one big rather meaningless blob -- and that includes the rendition by one of my intellectual heroes Michael Eric Dyson. To his credit though, in both the cases of King and Malcolm, Dyson at least tried to get the facts of their lives right.

Here, Wolfenstein has done so much more than just get the facts of Malcolm's life right. This is a full-bodied meta-theoretical analysis of Malcolm's life in the context of America's racist and capitalist culture and economy. And it is one done at a very high intellectual level and wielded with great skill even if it is at times a little intellectually brutal and rough around the edges.

In a deeply honest (rather than fawning) effort to get at the real meaning of Malcolm's life, Wolfenstein has produced a meta-theoretical masterpiece, one that arguably (were it not so politically radioactive (i.e. it has an avowedly socialist bent) and were it not such a raw intellectual expression), should have received a book award at least for inventiveness and creativity.

Wielding Freudian psychological analysis and Marxist political and economic analysis with equal facility and deftness, Wolfenstein has sidestepped much of the story-telling in order to put Malcolm's life experiences into a context of higher theoretical meaning, and might I add, to higher theoretical use.

Using Malcolm's life experiences as THE object lesson of what a racist society can do to one random black individual (and undoubtedly by extension to some extent has done to us all), Wolfenstein has woven together a tightly knit theoretical and social critique of America's racist culture. (It is absolutely scary how well he has done this.)

However, the purpose of this critique is not just to punch another hole into an already weak and crumbling capitalist/racist façade, it is to show where there still might be some light and hope at the end of this nightmarish tunnel and how to eventually find it. And it must be said in passing, that with only a few exceptions, this is a great deal more than most of our black intellectuals have done (and are doing). One of those exceptions, of course, is Professor Cornel West.

If one makes clear that by the "racially oppressed" Wolfenstein means both black and white races, then I believe he has correctly identified the real problem of a racist culture: How does it falsify the consciousness of the racially oppressed. And how do racially oppressed individuals free themselves from both falsification of their consciousness and the racist domination of their practical activity.

Using Malcolm's life experiences as an example (which during his early life, like that of many young black people, lurched from one dark pre-set societal trap to another), Wolfenstein shows us how to get behind the screen of false consciousness that a racist/capitalist culture creates and relies on to do most of its ideological and psychological dirty work. Only beyond this screen is there to be found a truer more authentic reality upon which a humanity of loving, caring, genuine brotherhood, and sharing can rest.

Wolfenstein, using the discrete events of Malcolm's life, demonstrates, beyond doubt, that it is the screen of false consciousness that aids and abets the capitalist project of commodifying our reality, distorting our worldview and thus greatly diminishing our humanity.

By bifurcating our culture into alienated racial and emotional groupings (Wolfenstein's more generalized idea of class), he shows rather graphically, how it is the false consciousness of capitalist exploitation that shapes our worldview -- from the intrapersonal all the way up to the level of culture. It is false consciousness that shapes and deforms individual characters, the psychology, ideology and the cultures of emotional groupings. It shapes our institutions and symbols of state, and causes so much alienation both between and within the various groupings.

The author illustrates how the false consciousness created by America's racist and capitalist social and economic system, commodifed Malcolm's mind and his reality, robbing him of any vestige of an authentic humanity and led him blindly, almost automatically down a path to violence, alienation, drug addiction, crime, exploitation of women, and ultimately to his own self-destruction. Only by getting outside the racist/capitalist paradigm into the Black Muslim religious sect was Malcolm able to partially recover from the damage done to his psyche.

In short, Wolfenstein shows, using Malcolm's life as a vivid object lesson, that it is also the false consciousness in our own lives that is the primary basis for deflecting and distorting our reality from its authentic basis. The authentic basis upon which most of us wish to rest our humanity is on a desire for human relationships based on true emotional feelings unmediated by racist psychology and ideology and that exploits, homogenizes, alienates, commodifies and then greatly diminishes our individual and collective humanity. But it is precisely the things in this list that American democracy does to each of us. And that is why, Wolfenstein considers us all: both black and white, its victims.

Although my own research tends more towards postmodern Freudian analysis of the likes of Otto Rank, Ernest Becker, Norman O. Brown, and especially Robert M. Young and Melanie Kline, Wolfenstein's analysis here using the old Freudian/Marxist model proves that even though it is still tricky, that there is much gold to still be mined from that model.

This is a very, very worthy effort Five stars.

A Complex but Interesting Book
This is a very "wordy" book about a complex man, his life, politics, and beliefs.It is not a history per se of Malcolm X, nor is it a biography, rather it is a collection of ideas within ideas about MalcolmX and what made him tick.I must warn you though it is not as easy book toread, but it rates five stars in my opinion because it attempts to beanalytical and non-judgemental about the man and his times.Not an easytask when you are writing about someone as famous as Malcolm X.This is agood book to supplement Alex Haley's book on Malcolm X as it looks deeperinto the man and what he stood for.Well worth reading if you have thetime and patience. ... Read more

Product Description
Speeches from the last three weeks of the life of this outstanding leader of the oppressed Black nationality and of the working class in the United States. A large part is material previously unavailable, with some in print for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A must have
Anyone with an interest in Black History should read this book.Talk about an eloquent speaker!

Reading Malcolm Xfor yourself
Today Malcolm X can be seen everywhere from t-shirts to U.S. postage stamps. Most people have an opinion about him. But not nearly as many have heard/read his actual words. This collection of speeches is an excellent way to rectify that. This book takes the reader virtually to Malcolm's last words spoken in public two days before his [...].
The collection includes speeches, interviews, panel discussions, and gives the reader a rich and genuine undertanding of Malcolm X in his final days as a statesman and revolutionary leader.
His internationalist view comes through in "Not just an American problem, but a world problem " He defines the Black Muslim movement, and the critical importance of education and critical thinking. This is a must read.

An outstanding book.
An outstanding collection of speeches from the important last year of Malcolm's life.This is a must read for any student of U.S. history from any point of view.It will be most helpful to to those looking to change the status quo.

Well edited and indexed.Excellent photos.A well put together book.

Raul Gonzalez

February 1965
This is the best book of Malcolms speeches from that last period in his life when he was most evolved. A must have!!!!!!!!!!

Great book on who Malcolm X is and his thoughts
This book is badly needed for people who are still stuck on the NOI days of malcolm. In 1964 on, he became a true sunni muslim and activist for the human rights of African Americans in the USA and the struggle for human rights abroad.This book surveys his last speeches and interviews in 1965.You will know who he evolved into and why we muslims call him the Shahid al Amrika the American Muslim Martyr. ... Read more