The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Archival Summary & Scope

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ONE OF TIME’S TEN MOST IMPORTANT NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

*The Autobiography of Malcolm X*, co-written with Alex Haley, is the definitive, "extraordinary" (The New York Times) account of one of America's most influential and controversial civil rights leaders. From his challenging youth marked by poverty, crime, and imprisonment, the book chronicles Malcolm Little's transformation into Malcolm X, a powerful spokesman for the Nation of Islam. It details his subsequent break from the group, the founding of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, and his evolving message of pride, power, and self-determination. Completed shortly before his assassination, this timeless work offers essential insights into American history, race relations, and the enduring relevance of his critique of the American Dream.