invites further reading on Malcolm X

Whatever the demerits of the book as outlined by some very good previous reviews, for someone like me -- a white Canadian who had never looked into the life of Malcolm X any deeper than the film and excerpts from the Autobiography-- this was an engaging and informative read. Some have described it as scholarly; others dispute its scholarship. For me, it read like a novel and motivated me to learn more about Malcolm X. Don't be put off by the word "scholarly" --it's far from a snooze.

41 people found this helpful

Rebirth of a Legend

I came to this biography partly because of an article that appeared in The Atlantic a few years back. That article was, The Legacy of Malcolm X by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Coates is one of my favorite journalists, so when he lavishes praise on a book, I take notice. After finishing Marable‘s book and reflecting on the portrayal of Malcolm X in this book, I can tell you that Coates’ praise is definitely well earned.

Marable perfectly captures why Malcolm X remains one of the most fascinating characters in American history even today. He was full of wild contradictions, starting out as pimp and hustler, yet ending up as an iconic spiritual leader. He almost no coherent philosophy, advocating Black supremacy at one point, then turning to interracial harmony near the end of his life. But above all, Malcolm X’s life is the ultimate testament to the power of reinvention, self improvement, and fighting for causes far greater than yourself. This is one powerful book. Also, Thomas’ superb narration never skips a beat. Beyond highly recommended!

14 people found this helpful

A failed attempt at trying to rewrite history

Manning Marable had a hidden agenda that is made clear by the lack of evidence provided to backup the allegations of Malcolm X. Mr X was forth coming about his horrible and backwards hustling past. He never portrayed to be a big time hustler just got caught up in the street life. My guess is Manning is to far disconnected from the impoverished black youth to understand the difference. Either way this feels wrong. Mr X was a man that was open about this past so no one could use it against him as it was apart of his legacy. Marable must his missed this key eliminate of Mr X or ignored it for his own personal gain.

4 people found this helpful

A GIFTED STORY TELLER! YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is probably the biggest bang I ever got from a book purchase. The story is enormous! I finished the first read and had to go back and start all over again for the second read.

The book was so lifting for me on so many levels. The story of how Malcolm X protested against slavery while only switching masters to serve, and becoming a slave to a cult. Which lifted him up but would not set him free, and eventually ended his life with the idea that they owned it because they had effected it.

Slavery is insidious and colorblind. It is not about color, race, sex or culture. It is about a mind set.

Right now Americans can not own land! The Government has seized it all and rents it back to us under the banner of "property taxes", which keeps every American in economic slavery until the day they die for a roof over their head.

Malcolm was a hacker of the mind , who was able to hack into the mind set of slave / master and stand up and admit inconvenient truths. This is an ability anyone can bring under his command if he is destined to be a part of CHANGE.

He was also able to make the impossible, possible. To rise above conditions and become bigger than the agreed upon "think". And take others with him.

The brutality and para military cult of the Nation of Islam with it's brutality and enforcement as it was back then, (I understand it has improved conditions and reformed , with the exclusion of Louis Farrakhan's cult) is illustrated with the para military soldier copy of the mafia.

The self denial, self abnegation, self inflicted punishments, shunning, expulsions and other intolerance, that marks the cults that arose in this period are revealed. The stunning similarities to today's Church of Scientology, with the Nation of Islam Malcolm lived through several decades ago, are disturbing.

It is encouraging to note that the Nation of Islam has reformed and evolved with new leaders and new policies which prohibit abuse, and bank on self improvement and enlightenment, even though the Church of Scientology and Louis Farrakhan seem to be merging and encouraging one another to remain of a mind set that is as outdated as the Taliban we seek to bring forward with modern tolerance.

It is an amazing success story. One thing for sure, no matter your race sex or culture, no matter your identity, you will not be able to read this book and not come out the end of it without the deepest respect and admiration for Malcolm X.

A proud man is a lovely man. He did not doubt himself against every invitation to do just that from the entire world. That takes a hell of a lot of Integrity.

23 people found this helpful

An important personality and a well-told story

This is an interesting (even fascinating) biography of a significant personality of the 1950’s and 60’s. I found that the story was well told by Manning Marable; he provided a good level of detail and the fact that he included some contrary versions of the same story added to his credibility as a researcher and his stature as a writer. I read favorable reviews of “Malcolm X” by reputable publications like The New York Times and The Economist. Neither publication cast any doubt on the quality or depth of Marable’s research – after all, he spent 10 years on this project. I read the reviews below that questioned the book’s accuracy – if you're considering this audiobook, I would take those comments with ‘a grain of salt’.

I also liked G. Valmont Thomas’ reading of the book; his tone and pacing reminded me of Samuel L. Jackson. I particularly enjoyed the reader’s addition of various accents that helped make a relatively dry subject “come alive.” Not being an expert of regional accents, I cannot comment of their accuracy, but the various accents certainly helped when I (the listener) could not see the quote marks on the page when an individual was talking or being quoted.

The previous biography I read was the much-heralded “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. The story of Jobs was very interesting, but the quality of the narration by Dylan Baker was not all that good in my opinion. Mr. Baker would have benefitted from the use of a few accents to help convey a better story.

This audiobook comes highly recommended – both for the story and for the narration. I would recommend “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention” to anyone with an open mind who’s willing to learn about an important person and significant events in the USA from 50-60 years ago.

9 people found this helpful

Exvellent Body of Work

It held my attention to navigate the highs and the lows of Brother Malcolm. The time and effort of this body of work is outstanding. it was worth the hours of listening to gain understanding.

2 people found this helpful

Fiercely bold insightful witness of a great life

Would you consider the audio edition of Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention to be better than the print version?

Better is not the right word. Complementary. Mixed media is how I read now.I buy both the audio edition and the first edition hardcover of a book when both are available. I live with the book in my ear in the car and on my walks with my Cali early morning and late night. I curl up with the hardcover when I get back in the house for a bit of each day. Audio makes it possible for me to read more of the books I want to every day. If I did not understand a section the first time, it is a pleasure to be able to back up a chapter and hear it again.Marable has researched and interviewed and served up more of Malcolm X than I ever imagined. I became as tortured and trapped as he must have felt as the end of his life approached. I shared the joy of his broadening through his travels. The respect and honor of a head of state bestowed upon him -- I was proud and glad for him. I like the other lives Marable chronicles. Men with feet of clay were hard to see in that way, but truthful. The struggles in Cuba, in South America, in Africa, in China are well depicted alongside Malcolm's life. I could not put this book down until it was done. Highly recommend to anyone who grew up in these times and remember the shock of the several assasinations. It hurt as much as if it were your father, your brother, your son shot down in their youth. 39 years old.Please read this book. Listening is great reading.

What other book might you compare Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention to and why?

The Invisible Line, The Warmth of Other Suns, the original Malcolm X Haley version, The Coldest Winter. The New Jim Crow. I like to read history or non-fiction that reads like a novel.

What does G. Valmont Thomas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration is engaging, full of inflection that highlight the big transitions and transformations in Malcolm's life. Well done. Returning to the audio is like returning to a the storytelling of a dear friend.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The opening prologue was eye opening. I hadn't realized Malcolm X never had a chance to read the finished manuscript. I hadn't realized Haley had a point of view that may not have been shared by Malcolm. That there were chapters eliminated and others added to the manuscript was news.The brutal killing of Malcolm's father. The horror that was his mother's life. The sad marriage Betty and Malcolm had. Very moving portrayals.

5 people found this helpful

Garbage, total Trash

This book is obviously a unauthorized biography and its sole purpose is to diminish Malcolm's character, repeatedly calling him a liar, and deceptive. The author himself is attempting to reinvent Malcolm when the fact of the matter is Malcolm died for truth and placed his life in jeopardy time after time for his people and against injustice. Please do not buy this trash I deleted it from my library, garbage!

19 people found this helpful

the rise and fall of Malcolm X but missing ....

depicted his rise in the Nation of Islam and his fall from the Nation.
Disappointed that some details of programs in neighborhoods such as food programs and educational programs were not discussed. Also his involvement in the Black Panther movement was not discussed.

6 people found this helpful

Good book, bad reader

This book is a comprehensive and good biography of Malcolm X. It's not perfect, but it's worth reading. Anyone who read the Autobiography should read this as a valuable complement--and anyone who hasn't read the Autobiography should read that first. The subject material is so fascinating, and Marable's research so thorough, that it's an interesting and important book. Unfortunately, maybe only because Haley/Malcolm embellished the Autobiography so much, Marable's book is incredibly boring compared to that one. Either Malcolm didn't actually live the life described in the Autobiography, or Marable managed to make a colorful life much more boring than it was. I suspect some of both.

Unfortunately, G. Valmont Thomas is a very bad reader. Here are my complaints, and you can figure out for yourself whether you think these things will bother you when listening:

1. Every quote is in a character voice, which are mostly regional/ethnic/gender clichés and just weaken the quotes, rather than help readers understand the people saying them. Some of the accents are really bad.
2. Every date is read as "April three" instead of "April third." Since I've never heard anyone say this in real life, it was off-putting every single time a date came up in the text (which was often).
3. Thomas clearly didn't do research into how to pronounce names of people or places he wasn't familiar with. Two mispronunciations that I remember are Amherst, Massachusetts ("Am-herst," according to Thomas), and Ayman al-Zawahiri (just pitifully butchered). There were others too.

9 people found this helpful