Malcolm X: A Revolutionary Voice

by Beatrice Gormley

What is looked upon as an American dream for white people has long been an American nightmare for black people. Malcolm X—born Malcolm Little—experienced that nightmare firsthand even as a small boy, when white supremacists firebombed his family home. Such terrifying moments, along with years of daily racist insults and barriers, shaped Malcolm’s life, transforming him into one of the most articulate and rousing black nationalist leaders of all time. Beatrice Gormley, a prolific author of biographies for young people, captures Malcolm X’s his youth as a petty criminal; jailhouse conversion to the Nation of Islam; marriage to Betty Shabazz, which yielded four children; break with Elijah Muhammad and embrace of traditional Islam; and assassination in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Paperback

Published February 5, 2008

About the author

Born in Glendale, California, Beatrice grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Pomona College, she worked in publishing near San Francisco. There she met and married Robert Gormley, and they moved to Massachusetts. They have two daughters.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise presentation of Malcolm Little, more widely known as Malcolm X or el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, American Muslim minister and human rights activist. Born in 1925. Assassinated in 1965. It records his entire life from the burning of his house at the age of four, his father's early support of Marcus Garvey, his self-destructive youth, his 6.5 years in prison, conversion to Islam, his work with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, his mind-altering experiences in Mecca in 1964 and finally his assassination in 1965. Not only his life but also the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s is outlined step by step. Very well done.

The audiobook narration by Jay Snyder was exceptional. Slow, clear and easy to follow.

[Mohammed]

Malcolm Little, wanted to live his life as a young boy. He wanted the life that every kid dreamed of. But his house got burnt down and he was at a time when black people weren't treated like white people. So then he wanted to make him self happy and make the black people happy too. Then he became a black nationalist speaker. He gave strong lectures to blacks and made them feel proud to be black.

[Dian Zulkarnain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable biography written in an accessible narrative for a younger audience. Accompanied with photographs from events and people encountered throughout Malcolm X's life. A story that kept me hooked! Looking forward to use what I learnt from this book as a framework to someday begin diving into his autobiography, the beloved American classic.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for a younger audience, found in the juvenile section of library. It is also a great introductory/primer book for adults who want to learn more on this complicated figure.

[CrazedCryptid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring story. It tells the harsh truth of black lives in that time period in a way that is better for younger people to understand. I love this book and I will read it again soon.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. I was so interested, I didn't want to stop reading.

[Daniel Kormendy]

I honestly think this is a great way to show who Malcolm X really is. Malcolm was a very important person in the 19 century, so it really shows Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was not alone in this fight. I want to say the author, Beatrice thank you for writing the book, because I had a black history project on him, but you gave phenomenal amount of information about Malcolm X.

[Sara ➽ Ink Is My Sword · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the biography of Malcolm X, an important revolutionary voice in 1950's and 1960's. It is difficult to rate a biography, but I will just concentrate in the information given in the book. As a teenager and non-english speaker the language used was very clear and easy to understand, is incredible how we scan through all the stages of the life of Malcolm. His story demonstrate how much power words can have, even they are not the correct message the way you distributed is sometimes more important. As a non American I didn't have too much knowledge of racism but after reading this book I found new faces of it, and all the different movements that black people had, for example the most famous one was Martin Luther King and I was totally oblivious to the black muslims movemnt.
Although I don't share the methods or believes of Malcolm X, I surely admire how he overcame his really tough youth and how his life changed in almost 360 degrees.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both informative and easy to tackle. I look forward to learning more about Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. The book includes a glossary with words such as brainwashed and demagogue and is followed with an index. Recommended for K-12 libraries and is highly appropriate for Black History Month programming and display ideas.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book interested me because I enjoyed the facts that were told, and the stories. Each story told about his childhood fascinated me, and helped me appreciate him and what I have. I would really recommend this book to people who like to learn about current events even though Malcolm X isnt very current!

[Ibrahim970400 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this personality, because he change the wronge path he chose out of hatred and mindingless of the danger he caused him self in. (there is agreat book about Malcom which the write minshined it in the book)

[Zoe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to do Malcolm X for my English assignment. I knew nothing of man until I read this. Without searching him up I was given a clear description of who he is, how he made difference and what he did. This book gave me a good perspective of the life of Malcolm

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars

[M. D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and educational -- a good read

[FaithToshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good short read. straight to the point and educational. I like that the chapters broken up and a glossary. good read