Non-Fiction Group Read - November 2015 - The Autobiography of Malcolm X - SPOILERS ALLOWED

[Paul]

The discussion thread is now open. Spoilers are allowed on this thread. Don't read on if you haven't finished the book. Can you also unclick the 'Add to my update feed' people don't see your comments in their home screen. Things to consider:

1. Did you like the book?
2. Do you think that the author covers the subject adequately?
3. Do you like the tone and language of the book?
4. Was there any part of the book that was important or significant to you?
5. Have you learnt anything from the book?
6. Has reading this encouraged you to look for other books on the subject?

[Pink]

This was a really wonderful and easy book to read, but with complex subject matter. I'm still thinking it over and haven't reviewed yet. For me, I was surprised how much it was about religion and his conversion to the Nation of Islam. I knew this would be a factor, but I thought there would be more about his work within the black community and civil rights movement. There were aspects of this, but predominantly this book was about Malcolm X's faith, which is what his life revolved around. Even though I'm not religious and didn't agree with his thoughts on this, I found it a very rewarding book and think it's extremely relevant today.

I'd also recommend reading the 80 page foreword by Alex Haley, who wrote the book with Malcolm X, but save it until after you finish. It adds another insight into Malcolm's life and gives added information on events within the book.

[Seraphina]

I read this a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I think what I liked was it was a real insight into his own life within Islam and his relationships from that and how it led to his involvement in revolution and eventually his downfall. Very well researched piece of writing.

[Gisela]

Pink wrote: "This was a really wonderful and easy book to read, but with complex subject matter. I'm still thinking it over and haven't reviewed yet. For me, I was surprised how much it was about religion and h..."

I think the story of his Malcom X converstion to Islam and first his belief and rise in the Nation of Islam is a very central part in his development as a person. His faith (I am not religious, born Christian but married to a born Muslim) has given him the strength to change what until then was a pretty bad and self-destructive life and showed him better ways of living and that he also had the right to have higher expectations for himself, his family and his people. His disenchantment with the leadership of the Nation of Islam, to me felt part of this, in a way an eye-opener that one has to watch out and question all ideologies and rulers.

The real shame of course is, that the Malcom X which emerged from this struggle would have had so much to give to not only America, but to all of us.

[Pink]

Agreed.