The Autobiography of Malcolm X

As Told to Alex Haley

By: Malcolm X, Alex Haley

Narrated by: Laurence Fishburne

One of Time’s 10 most important nonfiction books of the 20th century.

Experience a bold take on this classic autobiography as it’s performed by Oscar-nominated Laurence Fishburne.

In this searing classic autobiography, originally published in 1965, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and Black empowerment activist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Human Rights movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American dream and the inherent racism in a society that denies its non-White citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive statement of a movement and a man whose work was never completed but whose message is timeless. It is essential for anyone who wants to understand the African American experience and America as a whole.

©1965 Alex Haley and Malcolm X, © 1965 by Alex Haley and Betty Shabazz (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

it's Nearly perfect

one of my favorite books of all time.. only problem is that the preface is missing.... I think Laurence Fishburne did a great Job channelling Malcolm... only person that might have done better is Denzel in the 90s... only reason I'm not giving it 5stars is because it's missing a Preface... (Alex Haley's part about meeting Malcom X) and the Epilogue..(the Death of Malcolm X and the events leading up too)... Those parts are equally important to me and I remember them from the physical copy..

Sadly this was written in 1964...

We did not listen then and we are not really listening now. Too many foxes and not enough wolves in powerful positions. You will have to listen/read the book to understand my comment. Malcolm X is insightful, articulate and self aware; Alex Haley is a skillful writer; and Laurence Fishburne’s narration is excellent.

Accountability for all

I love many aspects of Malcom X and his words. I can't imagine todays leaders embracing him at all with his rhetoric on personal accountability or the way he talks about the democrats buying the black vote with zero results to show for it in the actual community. We see the same thing today, Black people continue voting blindly democrat with nothing or little to show it for it. The ghettos still exist and the discrepancies still exist no matter who we vote for. In part because I believe people miss the message of accountability and the lack of real interest by politicians beyond self promotion and power. There is a constant movement to lower the bar so to speak for people instead of building them up. This is exactly what Malcom X stated time in and time again. Oh, I think most would hate him today. The reliance on government was something he spoke about avoiding at all costs. What the black community really needs is to be built up to start with education. This means holding teachers accountable for results in the black community. Malcom X has a sense of community that is truly beautiful and he found it through religion. I have always said despite my atheism, there is merit in the community that religion can bring. Today this community idea is dying. We simply slap band aids on gaping wounds.

Where I did struggle with Malcom X thoughts, his view on history. Why? Well it simply isn't correct. Many of the colored empires as he describes them, were also founded on the blood of conquered peoples to include slavery and sacrifices. To praise an empire like the Persian Empire and attack another that was formed the same way, either speaks of world ignorance or willful ignorance. Either way, his view on history is uneducated at best. However, I don't think that takes away from his message, his importance and what should be an even larger more taught legacy. I highly doubt many people who talk or use Malcom X to add validity to their points today have actually read him. I truly believe if he were alive today, both political parties would hate his message. One thing is for sure, the average American reads 4 books a year. So, more than likely if you are debating about Malcom X, you are debating someone who has read nothing.

A Dose of Reality

People today talk about "systemic racism," "white privilege" and "Jim Crow." In the early 1960s, these were real things. Blacks were not hired for many jobs, could not buy houses in many neighborhoods, were barred from voting by poll taxes and literacy tests, and were looked down on as inferior by most whites. Malcolm X called these things out. As a spokesman for the Nation of Islam, he called the white man "the devil" and "the enemy." Later, in his journey to a more orthodox version of Islam, he embraced the brotherhood of men of good faith, recognizing that race was not determinative. He still condemned the actions of whites but was willing to accept that not every white person was responsible for slavery or other discrimination. Laurence Fishburn does a stellar job of projecting Malcolm's words and attitude. A lot of this may be hard to hear but this man was a major American force whose voice should be heard today.

Best book On Audible

This is such an important book. I knew that I’d love reading Malcolm X’s life through his own words. The men associated with this book make it that much better. The narration by Fishburne adds to powerful words of Malcolm. Thank you Malcolm for your life. Thank you Alex Haley for writing. Thank Laurence Fishburne for lending your voice.