The age of multitasking needs better narrative history. It must be absolutely factual, immediately accessible, smart, and brilliantly fun. Enter A...
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Mar 22, 2011
J.J.
rated it: 
I just saw this book on top of dad's pile of books and it turned out to be great!
Yehey! My first book read for summer 2011.
At first, I thought Malcolm X is a superhero like Wolverine while dad thought Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are just the same.
There are different versions about his life but what struck me the most was his courage to speak for what he believes in. Even if, it means being against the authorities. Malcolm X is like Ninoy Aquino. Unlike Ninoy, Malcolm More...
Yehey! My first book read for summer 2011.
At first, I thought Malcolm X is a superhero like Wolverine while dad thought Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are just the same.
There are different versions about his life but what struck me the most was his courage to speak for what he believes in. Even if, it means being against the authorities. Malcolm X is like Ninoy Aquino. Unlike Ninoy, Malcolm More...
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Mar 23, 2010
Nic
rated it: 
This was great. (I mean, in a way that's sad, and not full of rollicking adventure or fantasy.) I don’t read a lot of biography or nonfiction about recent events, and while I certainly knew Malcolm X’s name, I was far from clear on what role he played in the civil rights movement. (I also knew he was assassinated, but had no idea why.)
The illustrations were clear, compelling, and dramatic, and the composition of the pages made it easy to navigate the panels and understand the acti More...
The illustrations were clear, compelling, and dramatic, and the composition of the pages made it easy to navigate the panels and understand the acti More...
Dec 15, 2009
Andrae
rated it: 
This is the only graphic biography I have ever read, but I think that the graphic novel, as a genre, will really benefit from the sub genre of graphic biography, especially if it is goin to make a bid for a place in teacher's curriculum. I really appreciate this fresh look at the life o fone of the most recognizable figures in history. For such a brief text Helfer does an amazing job of capturing the major events in Malcolm's life as well as showing how some of the less publicized events and rel
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 15, 2009
The age of multitasking needs better narrative history. It must be absolutely factual, immediately accessible, smart, and brilliantly fun. Enter Andrew Helfer, the award-winning graphic-novel editor behind Road to Perdition and The History of Violence, and welcome the launch of a unique line of graphic biographies.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, these graphic biographies qualify as tomes. But if you’re among the millions who haven’t time for another doorstop of a biography, t More...
If a picture is worth a thousand words, these graphic biographies qualify as tomes. But if you’re among the millions who haven’t time for another doorstop of a biography, t More...
May 07, 2010
Chazzbot
rated it: 
This graphic novel is primarily intended for young adult audiences, and would likely provide a good introduction to the life and work of Malcolm X. For any other reader, however, I cannot recommend this book in place of X's autobiography, one of the most important books of the late 20th century. To its credit, this graphic novel does provide a comprehensive summary of the autobiography. In terms of artistic achievement, Randy DuBurke's charcoal renderings are a perfect fit, though they are of
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Jul 28, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
Hefler, A. and DuBurke, R. (2006). Malcolm X: A graphic biography. New York:
Serious Comics.
Nonfiction. Biography. Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography was selected as one of the Best Books for Young adults 2008, and one of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2008 by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The book explores the history of the mid- 20th century through the eyes of Malcolm X, who had a confrontational approach to racism, as opposed to Martin Luther King, More...
Serious Comics.
Nonfiction. Biography. Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography was selected as one of the Best Books for Young adults 2008, and one of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2008 by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The book explores the history of the mid- 20th century through the eyes of Malcolm X, who had a confrontational approach to racism, as opposed to Martin Luther King, More...
Jul 29, 2011
This book was interesting to read but the graphics didn't do anything for it. It did a good job portraying Malcolm X's internal struggles with the Nation of Islam and his shift in philosophy toward the end of his life (less racist; more peaceful). However, it didn't go into any depth on WHY Malcolm X was committed to the NOI as the path for helping Black Americans or into his more "confrontational/violent" advocacy. I left this book thinking that compared to all of the amazing female B
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Feb 16, 2011
Alli
rated it:
fast-paced and graphic, both literally and figuratively. this is NOT 'the autobiography of malcolm x'. it is instead a graphic version of a biography of malcolm x. the writer used several sources, including malcolm's autobiography, to create this. i haven't read the autobiography, so i'm not sure how it compares. it is slim, but powerful. key quotes from key figures are used, and the creator is understandably careful not to draw conclusions about the veracity of certain events or perspectives. t
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May 09, 2008
Krista
rated it:
A biographical account of the life of Malcolm X, done in the style of a comic book, covering events in his life from his childhood with an abusive father and mentally-ill mother, to his adolescence in Harlem and Detroit, his imprisonment during which he converted to Islam, and his tumultuous and ultimately sad realizations while a member of the Nation of Islam (N.O.I.).
Pinpoints how critical Malcolm's adolescent experiences were to the development of his beliefs, which would be easi More...
Pinpoints how critical Malcolm's adolescent experiences were to the development of his beliefs, which would be easi More...
Mar 31, 2009
Taneysha
rated it:
I KNOW THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A GREAT LEADER WHO STOOD UP FOR WAT'S RIGHT.I KNOW HE WASN'T THE ONLY MAN HE TRIED TO STOP SEGREATION AND WHITE PEOPLE TAKING OVER.WHY DDID I READ THIS BOOK?B/C I SAW HOW INTRESTING IT LOOKED ALSO LOOKED ABOUT HISTORY BACK IN THOSE DAY'S.PEOPLE SAY TO BACK OFF TO LET HIM BREATH IN THE BOOK.I FEEL THAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A GUY WHO WAS WILLIN TO STAND UP AND HELP US OUT.I WANT TO GIVE THI BOOK 999,999,999,999,999 RATES/STARS.
Dec 17, 2010
Erika
rated it:
I am glad that I learned all that I did from this book.
My snotty comment that has nothing to do with the content of the book - is that its mostly narration, not dialogue. So - that was something I noticed myself wanting as I kept reading. When I put it down I felt like I knew his story well, but there's still a part of him that I didn't see because the book is mostly someone else's words.
My snotty comment that has nothing to do with the content of the book - is that its mostly narration, not dialogue. So - that was something I noticed myself wanting as I kept reading. When I put it down I felt like I knew his story well, but there's still a part of him that I didn't see because the book is mostly someone else's words.
Jun 24, 2011
Theophilus
rated it:
Good rendition. I've read several works about and by Malcolm X, including the Alex Haley version. This one has the facts right. As with many grahic novels, it is a summary rather than the complete works, but should be a good intro to reluctant readers and maybe an enticement to seek more.
Jan 18, 2011
Clint
rated it:
It's not a novel, but it fits the graphic designation. As for the book, I'll just say - interesting.
Apr 29, 2008
kelly
rated it:
I hate to admit it - I knew nothing about Malcolm X except he was asassinated in the 1960's and that Denzel Washington played him in a movie. I had no idea about this man's incredible journey from small time hustler to advocate for racial equality. In this graphic novel, the intelligence of Malcolm shines forth, even when he decides to 'hustle'. The authors use black and white drawings which give it an old newspaper feel to the facts portrayed. When I finished, I was saddened over his death, be
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Jun 13, 2009
Liz
rated it:
For some reason in all my years of highschool i never learned about malcolm X. The first half of this book i couldn't understand why this man was famous. He was a gambler, a drug dealer, a racist, and just an awfull person all around. His views on life were influenced by his society and his society was not a good one. The second half everything changed. He expanded his views, he traveled the world, He learned new things. But i will have to read his biography to get to know him more. But i do kno
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Jun 20, 2011
Alex
rated it:
Malcom X was a tough book to read. I didnt really get the concept or the meaning of the beginning, when he was throwing his life away. To me that seems completely fiction, as i have seen that in so many other books. I can believe that this man was a game changer and was very important in history, but to what extent im really not sure. I think that this book would be okay if used as essay proof, but really thats pretty much it. I dont think i would recommend this book to many.
Aug 20, 2008
Emilia
rated it:
Man, Malcolm X.
Times were tough for you.
This book maybe didn't focus on his influence enough, and more on the backstage parts of his life that were more unpleasant and that ultimately led to his undoing (which, can I just say, totally sucked)..and I don't really know enough about his influence. Is it shallow to say that this book made me want to see the Denzel movie? Hm. Probably--regardless--it made me want to learn more, and that's good.
Times were tough for you.
This book maybe didn't focus on his influence enough, and more on the backstage parts of his life that were more unpleasant and that ultimately led to his undoing (which, can I just say, totally sucked)..and I don't really know enough about his influence. Is it shallow to say that this book made me want to see the Denzel movie? Hm. Probably--regardless--it made me want to learn more, and that's good.
Oct 31, 2008
The graphic format will pull in some readers, and this book presents a serviceable overview of his life. It does not, however, explain Malcolm's larger importance in the civil rights movement or in American history. The author included few direct quotations from Malcolm's speeches or writings, which would have made it a stronger book.
Aug 20, 2008
Paula
rated it:
MIND SHATTERING BLEND of comics-silkscreen-dialogue/storytelling that keeps it painfully real. no holds barred. this is, undeniably, a graphic biography book created by a talented writer and an equally talented artist. i can't believe it. more books should be like this. this book is worth millions. billions. priceless
Sep 25, 2008
Lucy
rated it:
In this book I learned about Malcolm X and how he was important to the World. This is a really good book.
Feb 10, 2012
