Autobiography of Malcolm X (SparkNotes Literature Guide)
by Alex Haley, Malcolm X · first published 2003
63% recommend37% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Candid account of Malcolm X's three radically different life phases and his commitment to his beliefs at each stage. Corrects his reputation and builds empathy; recommended for teens and general readers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…Work - Cal Newport (recommended) Stumbling on Happiness - Daniel Gilbert (recommended) Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals - Heidi Grant-Halvorson (lots of great stuff in here, highly recommended) The Autobiography of Malcolm X - Alex Haley (I really like biographies and Malcolm X was a pretty interesting person. recommended) Making It in Real Estate: Starting Out as a Developer - John McNellis (meh) Ready Player One - Ernest…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War by Michael J. Neufeld (2007) The Autobiography of Malcolm X (co-authored with Alex Haley, 1965)
on “Ask HN: Recommend a biography?” ↗The Autobiography of Malcolm X - Especially interesting read in today's political climate - pivotal nonetheless
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗We need to find someway that Disney get's their copyright for everything and the rest of the world can have Public Domain. Also the Autobiography of Malcolm X is one of the best non-fiction books I ever read and should be read by everyone in America. Though I don't think that book would be public domain now due to Alex Haley being a co-writter and died in 1992.
on “Class of 2016: Whose works will enter the public domain” ↗This may seem like an odd recommendation, but I think The Autobiography of Malcolm X is one of the best books I've read. Easily the most gripping non-fiction. Someone described it as illustrative of "the intellect of anger", and I think it fits. I also think, somewhat paradoxically,…
on “YC's 2015 Reading List” ↗…through some of my favorite passages in there, if only to remind myself how lucky I am to be able to what I love with the support of the people in my life. Also, I can now safely say that reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X in high school was a key moment in my personal development.
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗The Autobiography of Malcolm X is indeed an excellent read. The three phases of his adult life were completely and radically different from one another. It's amazing how committed he was to holding himself up to the standards demanded…
on “The best things and stuff of 2013” ↗The Autobiography of Malcolm X It's a deep dive in understanding and empathizing with another human being, and reflecting and finding the things one is grateful for in their own life.
on “Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?” ↗…give it a read if you're into surprising biographies of high-performing nutters who will hustle to get the job done. As a biography, for me - a programmer, musician, and fan - it's up there with 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X' (especially in terms of surprise) and 'Steve Jobs' (in terms of brutality).
on “A review of Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography “Born to Run”” ↗“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was maybe the most important book I read as a teenager, and I still go back and reread it every so often. It should be required reading. For fiction, “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy, “100 Years…
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗An interesting revisit on the making (and omissions) of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X". An incredible book that I've been meaning to read again since I first read it in my teens.
on “The Missing Malcolm X (2018)” ↗The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I always had the impression that Malcolm was the bad boy of his era. His reputation is much worse than King(who is seen as a hero). After reading it, it's all undeserved. He's not a pacifist sure, but…
on “Ask HN: Are there any books that changed your life during college or school?” ↗…think representation is an issue. Most people of color that have dealt with white gatekeepers will disagree with you. If you care to examine the part of you that holds that belief I'd suggest reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, followed by some James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Frantz Fanon, and bell hooks to start. Hate read it if you must, but give some experiences orthogonal to yours a chance.
on “GitHub is undergoing a full-blown overhaul as execs and employees depart” ↗The Autobiography of Malcolm X. It should be required reading for high school students in the United States.
on “Ask HN: What books fundamentally changed the way you think about the world?” ↗Ludwig Wittgenstein: Duty of Genius was a great ride, as well as a fantastic introduction to powerful ideas about communication and non-scientific disciplines' wish to imitate science. The Autobiography of Malcolm X makes a brilliant case for angry speech, making the mainstream portrayal of figures like Gandhi and MLK Jr. seem like straight-up whitewashed propaganda. Delusions of Gender is a fierce analysis of the…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗