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Overview
"Dangerous" describes Malcolm X for poet Sonia Sanchez, and civil rights attorney William Kunstler places him at "the cutting edge of the black struggle." For historian John Henrik Clarke he was "the brightest light we produced in the twentieth century"; to journalist Claude Lewis, "the bravest man I've ever known." Former CORE director James Farmer calls him "a champion." University professor Kathryn Gibson remembers him as "the protector." Part One of Malcolm X: As They Knew Him presents the remembrances of twenty-five men and women whose lives were dramatically touched--and in some cases radically altered--by Malcolm X. In their own words, extracted from recent interviews with David Gallen, they illuminate divers facets of Malcolm's dynamic character and career. Writer Maya Angelou, for instance, speaks of the contemplative Malcolm she knew in Africa, while newsman Mike Wallace recalls Malcolm's last daring media appearances. Alex Haley provides intimate glimpses of the private man, and Benjamin Karim shares his memories of Malcolm lecturing on the swine and teaching lessons in charity all the way from Harlem to Bridgeport, Connecticut. In the minds of those who knew him Malcolm is still vividly there: eating banana splits, quoting Shakespeare, driving his old blue Oldsmobile home to East Elmhurst, growing a beard. A man stands behind the myth. Malcolm speaks for himself in Part Two, "Getting It On the Record." He makes parables of chickens, snakes, and duck eggs with Robert Penn Warren, and in a solemn, reflective mood he shares his views on life, and death, with Claude Lewis one late December night. Included too are the Playboy interview with Alex Haley and his last television interview, with Pierre Berton in January 1965, one month before he died at the hands of assassins in Harlem's Audubon Ballroom. In Part Three, "The Man, the Myth and the Mission," six outstanding American writers, among them James Baldwin, Eldridge Cleaver, and Peter Goldman, probe tDuring his lifetime, the name Malcolm X was a lightning rod that electrified the black community. In this fascinating volume, Malcolm X stands revealed in a mosaic of memories, interviews, insights, and appreciations by Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, James Booker, James Brown, Eldridge Cleaver, Alex Haley, Hinton Johnson, Benjamin Karim, and many others.
Editorials
Library Journal
Spike Lee's forthcoming film on Malcolm X has sparked renewed interest in the life of this legendary figure, who remains highly controversial 27 years after his death. This book offers up a celebration of Malcolm X and is a candid and compassionate assessment of his life and influence. The first section is a richly woven narrative--oral reminiscences by a variety of people who knew Malcolm intimately or professionally. Familiar Maya Angelou, the late Alex Haley, Kenneth B. Clark, Mike Wallace and unfamiliar names blend together in this testimony to Malcolm's prophetic and charismatic nature. There are vivid recollections of Malcolm's public debates with Bayard Rustin and James Farmer, but most striking are the numerous accounts of his assassination. The second section of the book consists of seven interviews with Malcolm, including Alex Haley's famous 1963 Playboy interview, which may not be available in many libraries. The third part contains six reflective essays on Malcolm's role in African American history. Among the diverse views presented are those by Eldridge Cleaver, James Baldwin, and Robert Penn Warren. Recommended as a supplemental resource on Malcolm X, this book belongs in all libraries with African American collections.-- Thomas Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, Pa.Booknews
Part one presents the remembrances of 25 men and women whose lives were dramatically touched by Malcolm X. Part two presents Malcolm himself in a variety of conversations and interviews. In part three, six American writers--including Eldridge Cleaver, Alex Haley, and James Baldwin--probe the aftermath of Malcolm's assassination and define the substance of his legacy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
August 22, 1996
Publisher
New York : Ballantine, 1996, c1992.
Pages
319
Format
Paperbound
ISBN
9780345400529