Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X

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The Autobiography of Malcolm X

is now widely recognized as a major landmark in American literature, and considered essential reading for anyone interested in African American literature, culture and politics. The text is the product of collaboration between Malcolm X, the controversial black nationalist leader who rose to prominence in the early 1960s, and the writer and journalist Alex Haley. It tells the remarkable story of Malcolm X’s personal, religious and political transformations, and is the most comprehensive text we have for understanding and interpreting Malcolm X’s life and work.

One only need glance at the contents page to realize that the text’s structure will bear out Malcolm’s sense that “my whole life had been a chronology of changes” (X 1968: 454).

2808 words

Citation: Hartnell, Anna. "The Autobiography of Malcolm X". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 January 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1543, accessed 19 March 2024.]

1543 The Autobiography of Malcolm X 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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