The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Malcolm X and Alex Haley
With the Assistance of Alex Haley; Introduction by M. S. Handler; Epilogue by Alex Haley
Grove Press, 1965
First edition
Vanderbilt University Collection
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

Co-authored by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a powerful work in African American civil rights history. The book explores Malcolm X’s life from his troubled childhood to his transformation into a leading figure in the Nation of Islam and a prominent human rights activist.  His willingness to question and reassess his beliefs, particularly after his pilgrimage to Mecca, highlights the importance of open-mindedness and critical thinking and highlights the importance of civil rights and social justice.