The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley
This book is an autobiography narrating the life of a renowned African-American activist. It delves into his transformation from a young man involved in criminal activities to becoming one of the most influential voices in the fight against racial inequality in America. The book provides a deep insight into his philosophies, his time in prison, conversion to Islam, his role in the Nation of Islam, his pilgrimage to Mecca, and his eventual split from the Nation. It also addresses his assassination, making it a powerful account of resilience, redemption, and personal growth.
The 306th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 1092
This book was first published in 1965
34 Lists
- score: 125 -- The 75 Best Books of the Past 75 Years - 2016 (Weight: 118)
- score: 122 -- Ezra Klein Show's Most Recommended Books - 2024 (Weight: 100)
- score: 118 -- The New York Public Library's Books of the Century - 1996 (Weight: 160)
- score: 107 -- The Guardian's Essential Library - 2002 (Weight: 128)
- score: 104 -- 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century - 2001 (Weight: 127)
- score: 92 -- As if You Don't Have Enough to Read, Best Non-Fiction from the NY Times Writers - 2011 (Weight: 93)
- score: 70 -- Books That Shaped America - 2012 (Weight: 70)
- score: 65 -- IWU Select 100 Must-Read Books - 1991 (Weight: 100)
- score: 65 -- The Modern Library | 100 Best Nonfiction - 1999 (Weight: 85)
- score: 63 -- Recommended Books - 2017 (Weight: 60)
- score: 60 -- The Celebrity Reading List - 2007 (Weight: 60)
- score: 27 -- The 50 Best Books of the Century - 2014 (Weight: 28)
- score: 24 -- 100 Best 20th-Century American Books - 1999 (Weight: 31)
- score: 21 -- The Spouter-Inn; or, A Conversation with Great Books - 2024 (Weight: 20)
- score: 3 -- An Expert's 200-Book List - 1973 (Weight: 10)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Greatest Books of All Time - 2022 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Best Political Nonfiction Books Ever - 2021 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 13 of Our Favorite Books On Black Resistance and Revolution - 2017 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Major Works of Modern Creative Nonfiction - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 80 Books Every Man Should Read - 2015 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Best Political Books - 2017 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- A Century of Reading - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Best Non-Fiction Books of the 20th Century (and Beyond) in English - 2014 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime - 2014 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 50 Books Everyone Needs to Read, 1963-2013 - 2013 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Top 100 Books - 1999 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Well-Educated Mind - 2003 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Great Books - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The College Board: 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers - 2002 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Best Classics - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Time Magazine's All-TIME 100 Best Non-Fiction Books - 2011 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Booklist Century: 100 Books, 100 Years - 2005 (Weight: 1)