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Nobody Can Give You Freedom: The Political Life of Malcolm X
A radical new examination of Malcolm X that shows how the iconic figure was always dedicated to a peaceful, global movement for Black liberation
Malcolm X is one of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century. Across countless films, documentaries, and books, we have come to know him as a violent and tragic figure, who, when considered next to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, was ultimately and perhaps dangerously misguided. But in the wake of continued police brutality and the rise of white supremacy, it’s time to revisit Malcolm X and What do we really know about what he believed, and what can we do with that political philosophy today?
In Nobody Can Give You Freedom, Kehinde Andrews draws on the speeches and writings of Malcolm X to upend the conventional understanding of Malcolm—from his alleged misogyny to his putative proclivity for violence. Instead, Andrews argues that Malcolm X embraced equality across genders and foresaw a more inclusive approach to Black liberation that relied on grassroots efforts and community building.
Far from a doomed ideologue, Malcolm X was in fact one of the most important, and misunderstood, intellectuals of the twentieth century, whose lessons on how to fight white supremacy are more important than ever.
Malcolm X is one of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century. Across countless films, documentaries, and books, we have come to know him as a violent and tragic figure, who, when considered next to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, was ultimately and perhaps dangerously misguided. But in the wake of continued police brutality and the rise of white supremacy, it’s time to revisit Malcolm X and What do we really know about what he believed, and what can we do with that political philosophy today?
In Nobody Can Give You Freedom, Kehinde Andrews draws on the speeches and writings of Malcolm X to upend the conventional understanding of Malcolm—from his alleged misogyny to his putative proclivity for violence. Instead, Andrews argues that Malcolm X embraced equality across genders and foresaw a more inclusive approach to Black liberation that relied on grassroots efforts and community building.
Far from a doomed ideologue, Malcolm X was in fact one of the most important, and misunderstood, intellectuals of the twentieth century, whose lessons on how to fight white supremacy are more important than ever.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published September 9, 2025
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218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 5, 2025
A winner. A book that narrowly avoids hagiography, and that’s only because it’s not a biography, but it veers so close. It’s understandable though, because Mr. Kehinde Andrews is only trying to stress how much Malcolm influenced him and his scholarship. His aim here is to show Malcolm’s political philosophy and program. That makes this work a bit of a redemption piece, for many have criticized Malcolm as being “all talk, no solutions.”
Kehinde has skillfully debunked the “no solutions” myth by examining Malcolm’s political views, which remained consistent after he departed from the Nation of Islam. And alongside that myth he also disproved the “new civil rights Malcolm who was ready to join King and lead marches,” uhm, NOPE. Perhaps, a better subtitle of this book would be; The Debunking of the Myth of Malcolm X.
He obviously has spent a vast amount of time combing through Malcolm’s speeches and interviews, as well as having devoured the multitude of books written about Malcom X. His fastidious approach shows up impressively on the page. Even in the minor myth busting, he is providing the reader with a different lens, so that one can gain clarity. “Malcolm’s use of violence was in the form of metaphor, most eloquently expressed in his “Ballot or the Bullet” speech, where he offered America an olive branch, a way to avoid racial Armageddon.”
There has been a great deal of myth making and Malcolm reinvention, he has been claimed by many groups to be in their camp, so with all that happening now, this work is not only important, it is timely in its attempt to set the record straight. And I for one think he has done a tremendous job in his defense of Malcolm X! 👏🏾 Bravo.
Kehinde has skillfully debunked the “no solutions” myth by examining Malcolm’s political views, which remained consistent after he departed from the Nation of Islam. And alongside that myth he also disproved the “new civil rights Malcolm who was ready to join King and lead marches,” uhm, NOPE. Perhaps, a better subtitle of this book would be; The Debunking of the Myth of Malcolm X.
He obviously has spent a vast amount of time combing through Malcolm’s speeches and interviews, as well as having devoured the multitude of books written about Malcom X. His fastidious approach shows up impressively on the page. Even in the minor myth busting, he is providing the reader with a different lens, so that one can gain clarity. “Malcolm’s use of violence was in the form of metaphor, most eloquently expressed in his “Ballot or the Bullet” speech, where he offered America an olive branch, a way to avoid racial Armageddon.”
There has been a great deal of myth making and Malcolm reinvention, he has been claimed by many groups to be in their camp, so with all that happening now, this work is not only important, it is timely in its attempt to set the record straight. And I for one think he has done a tremendous job in his defense of Malcolm X! 👏🏾 Bravo.
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February 14, 2026I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked
the focus on Malcolm’s political vision. This is probably the sixth book or so book on Malcolm X I have read and yet it’s the first time I’ve seen such a thorough breakdown of Malcolm’s plans for the OAAU’s — which is the culmination of his organizing vision. That alone makes it a valuable resource. The chapter on Malcolm’s evolving views on gender, where even his biographers have misread and overstated sexism, was similarly valuable.
On the other hand, the author spends a lot of time excoriating a whole host of other people - some of whom deserve it more than others. He fires a lot of shots throughout, Mandela (‘sell out’), my former professor who met Malcolm Dr Cedric Robinson* (‘trying to Appease white people’), campus Marxist’s (annoying) I understand that this was styled like Malcolm’s biting criticism of his contemporaries, but I found it distracting and unfair in parts.
There were other quibbles I had as well
- the Spike Lee film is essentially described as useless which I think oversimplifies things given its immense impact (Ryan Coogler called it one of the most important films ever made)
- he implies Malcolm would have remained against interracial marriage even though he’s quoted after his Hajj saying that “It's just one human being marrying another human being or one human being living around and with another human being.” The evidence for this is a quote from before his Hajj and another quote from 1965 saying that interracial marriage is not a solution to racism - which isn’t the same as saying it isn’t acceptable.
the focus on Malcolm’s political vision. This is probably the sixth book or so book on Malcolm X I have read and yet it’s the first time I’ve seen such a thorough breakdown of Malcolm’s plans for the OAAU’s — which is the culmination of his organizing vision. That alone makes it a valuable resource. The chapter on Malcolm’s evolving views on gender, where even his biographers have misread and overstated sexism, was similarly valuable.
On the other hand, the author spends a lot of time excoriating a whole host of other people - some of whom deserve it more than others. He fires a lot of shots throughout, Mandela (‘sell out’), my former professor who met Malcolm Dr Cedric Robinson* (‘trying to Appease white people’), campus Marxist’s (annoying) I understand that this was styled like Malcolm’s biting criticism of his contemporaries, but I found it distracting and unfair in parts.
There were other quibbles I had as well
- the Spike Lee film is essentially described as useless which I think oversimplifies things given its immense impact (Ryan Coogler called it one of the most important films ever made)
- he implies Malcolm would have remained against interracial marriage even though he’s quoted after his Hajj saying that “It's just one human being marrying another human being or one human being living around and with another human being.” The evidence for this is a quote from before his Hajj and another quote from 1965 saying that interracial marriage is not a solution to racism - which isn’t the same as saying it isn’t acceptable.
February 14, 2026
A very solid, well researched and easily accessible book about Malcom X. Professor Andrews has spent considerable time and effort into deep diving Malcom X's philosophy and life. While I have my own issues with certain parts of Malcom X's approach and ways of doing things, this is undoubtedly a book you should read to get a good understanding of where he was coming from and what he may have done had he lived longer.
September 16, 2025
Nobody Can Give You Freedom: The Political Life of Malcolm X is a sharp examination and analysis of Malcolm X's views and thoughts. Kehinde Andrews brilliantly walks us through Malcolm's politics on subject such as internationalism, gender equality, and whiteness while dispelling common myths about him and his views. One of my few gripes with this books was how the author tended to lean heavily into "Here's what Malcolm would probably think/say about this". Also, certain parts felt a bit redundant and seemed to reflect more of the author's thoughts/views than Malcolm's. This book probably could have been trimmed about 10-15%. Yet, it is a solid, well-researched read and thoughtful analysis on Malcolm X's legacy.
August 10, 2025
- This is the first book I've read by Kehinde Andrews, and I was very impressed! Will likely check out others when I have time.
- Truly so thought provoking. The countered things I learned in high school with evidence of them being wrong.
- Going into it I didn't realize how truly misunderstood Malcom X is. But after finishing the book my eyes are opened.
- Read for yourself to decide if you're bterrified or inspired by Malcom X's legacy.
- So excited to implement what I've learned into my classroom.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
- Truly so thought provoking. The countered things I learned in high school with evidence of them being wrong.
- Going into it I didn't realize how truly misunderstood Malcom X is. But after finishing the book my eyes are opened.
- Read for yourself to decide if you're bterrified or inspired by Malcom X's legacy.
- So excited to implement what I've learned into my classroom.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
November 13, 2025
A must read for any student of Black Studies!!! Professor Andrews presents a critical analysis of Malcolm X that is needed for people to read now more than ever. His scholarship is singular, and I hope that the readers appreciate that this book is what scholarship should be: engaged, pointed, grounded, and thought provoking. If you leave this book without a more complicated account of Malcolm X...reread!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews