Book recommendation: Malcolm X
October 13, 2019 4:50 PM Subscribe
I'd like to read a good historical book about Malcolm X -- hoping Mefites can recommend one. Ideally it would be light on personal history (except where it informs the following) and more focused on his ideas and how they evolved, his work/relationships/interactions with various groups/movements, how he was perceived (by the US government, by other black leaders, US society, etc.), puts him in historical context, etc.
"Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention", by Manning Marable, sounded good until I read the description of "A Lie of Reinvention:
Correcting Manning Marable's Malcolm X" which is a series of critical essays that cast doubt on the accuracy of the Marable book. Obvs I'd like to read something generally considered accurate.
I'm planning to read "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" as a primer on his ideas, but I generally don't prefer autobiographies and think a book written more recently would do better with the historical context.
Has anyone read a great book that fits some of these requirements?
"Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention", by Manning Marable, sounded good until I read the description of "A Lie of Reinvention:
Correcting Manning Marable's Malcolm X" which is a series of critical essays that cast doubt on the accuracy of the Marable book. Obvs I'd like to read something generally considered accurate.
I'm planning to read "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" as a primer on his ideas, but I generally don't prefer autobiographies and think a book written more recently would do better with the historical context.
Has anyone read a great book that fits some of these requirements?
Best answer: I would highly suggest you read Marable's book. Even Jared Ball, who is responsible for the critical essay collection you've read, says that people ought to read Marable's book. It's the result of 20 years of work and scholarship; nothing you read will likely match that effort.
posted by kensington314 at 6:50 PM on October 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by kensington314 at 6:50 PM on October 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
Also, Marable's book is just an enjoyable and engaging read.
But definitely start with the autobiography.
posted by kensington314 at 6:51 PM on October 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
But definitely start with the autobiography.
posted by kensington314 at 6:51 PM on October 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I cannot say this enough: start first with the autobiography, then move to the speeches and interviews. Starting with Marable or anyone else first is a mistake.
posted by history is a weapon at 7:49 PM on October 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by history is a weapon at 7:49 PM on October 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
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Also, the famed US civil rights documentary 'Eyes on the Prize' covers Malcolm X well, and also Stokely Carmichael, Newton & Seale of the Black Panthers, The Nation of Islam, MLK, and other major and peripheral characters.
There's undoubtedly more contemporary accounts, but here I remain ignorant.
posted by j_curiouser at 5:28 PM on October 13, 2019