The Books on Malcolm X

Brother Malcolm, The Black Shining Prince, Malik El-Shabazz… many names but one person. There’s no doubt he’s one of the most important Afro-American, his autobiography is one of the ten most influential nonfiction books of the of 20th century. Malcolm’s words are very often misunderstood or misinterpreted and hatemongers try to depict him as a racist or extremist.
The same people forget about the political and social background of the 50´s and the 60´s, this is the most important aspect which cannot be neglected when we talk about Malcolm X. There is another very important fact about Afro-American struggle for dignity and position of human being in American society, they were the ones who changed the white man’s world. If there hadn’t been people like Malcolm, Afro-American would have been sitting in the back seat until the 80´s.

I wrote this post ´cause I consider myself as a person who was influenced by Malcolm’s life story and I’d like to help others to find Malcolm’s spirit and energy. I’d like also to stress that we have to read his words critically not to end up as a crowd of people who adore Malcolm X, but do not use their minds, this is very important because too much idealizing his person might hurt his image and helps those hatemongers who would have an easier job.

A List of the books on Malcolm X is very long and it’s quite an impossible job to make one with complete data. My effort is a try to get a few titles which can be considered as “essential”, if you find some other titles, they’re not less important of course.
This post is kind of a help to orient and cope with the books about Malcolm X.

The Collection of Malcolm X speeches, statements are mostly from the era 1964 – 65, some books include
an excerpts from the previous era (50´s and 60´s).

"February 1965, THE FINAL SPEECHES: Malcolm X" Malcolm X, Steve Clark (1992)

"By Any Means Necessary" Malcolm X (1970)

"Malcolm X: The Last Speeches", Malcolm X, Bruce Perry (1969)

"Malcolm X Talks to Young People" Malcolm X (1965)

"Malcolm X on Afro-American History" Malcolm X, Introduction: Steve Clark (1967)

"Malcolm X Speaks (Malcolm X speeches & writings)" Malcolm X, George Breitman (1965)


In another part of my “roll call”, I chose the authors who are specialist in Afro-American studies or journalist and they are able to give more information of the background of some particular era, to read a book from a member of NOI or some other group isn’t a bad choice, but you might find a point of view which is very far away from reality or even untruthful.

"Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention" Manning Marable "R.I.P." (2011)

"On The Side Of My People: A Religious Life of Malcolm X" Louis A. DeCaro Jr. (1996)

"Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X" Michael Eric Dyson (1995)

"Malcolm X: the Man and his times"John Henrik Clarke (1969)

"The Autobiography of Malcolm X" Alex Haley (1965)

The Third category is something between interview and reflection on Malcolm. People I’m focusing on here, are those who worked directly with Malcolm or his family and friends.

"The Negro Protest - James Baldwin, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King" Kenneth B. Clark (1963)

"By Any Means Necessary: Making of Malcolm X" Malcolm X, Ralph Wiley, Spike Lee (1992)

"Remembering Malcolm" Benjamin Karim, Peter Skutches, David Gallen (1992)

"Malcolm X As They Knew Him" David Gallen (1992)

"By Any Means Necessary: Making of Malcolm X" Malcolm X, Ralph Wiley, Spike Lee (1992)

"The Black Book: The True Political Philosophy of Malcolm X Yussuf Naim Kly (1986)


If we want to get inside of the Malcolm’s life we cannot miss works on Nation of Islam and all studies about Islam in America. The Political and religious thoughts of Malcolm are being mostly studied through the last year of his life when he rejected the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and embraced "Al-Islam", but we have to be aware of the fact he had been famous and well known before 1964 and 1965.

Enjoy the reading and do not forget to always do the right thing – By Any Means Necessary !!



:: Books on Nation of Islam ::

„Islam and the Search for African-American Nationhood“ Dennis Walker (2006)

„Black Muslim: Religion in the Nation Of Islam 1960 – 1975“ E.E.Curtis IV (2006)

„The Lost-found Nation of Islam in America“ Clifton E. Marsh (1996)

„The Nation Of Islam“ Martha F. Lee (1996)

„American Jihad: Islam After Malcolm X“ Steve Barbora (1994)

"The Black Muslims in America" by Dr. C. Eric Lincoln (1961)

"The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad" Karl Evanzz (1999)


:: Videos on Malcolm X ::

Malcolm X Eulogy by Ossie Davis

You Tube Channel – Malcolm X´s speeches, etc.

Malcolm X's Death (Spike Lee's Most Powerful Scene)


:: Websites ::Link to E-Books on Malcom X: here

See this link

Blog about Malcolm X Here
- speeches, videos, documentaries, etc




*picture by Obey