Book SummaryThe Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Published in 1965, The Autobiography of Malcolm X explains how Malcolm X rose from a life of poverty and crime to become a significant leader of the civil rights movement. Malcolm X was a controversial figure—his views were often considered extreme, and they changed radically throughout his life. In telling his life story, Malcolm X explains why he believed what he believed—and why he fought stalwartly for racial justice, even though he knew it would lead to his death.

This book was written by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, a journalist and author of the novel Roots, which later became a record-breaking television series. Haley recorded interviews with Malcolm X,...

The Autobiography of Malcolm X Summary Malcolm X’s Early Life Was Marred by Racism

Malcolm X believed that the racism he experienced throughout his childhood to adolescence determined the path he would take as an adult. In this section, we’ll explain how racist violence and structural inequality destabilized and discouraged a young Malcolm X—and ultimately led him to spend time in prison.

Racism Destabilized and Discouraged Him

Malcolm X explains that he was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Shortform note: He eventually dropped “Little” and changed his name to Malcolm X—we’ll discuss that decision later, but we’ll still refer to him as Malcolm X throughout the guide.)

From the time he was born, his family was constantly being threatened by racists, in part because his father, Earl Little, was associated with Marcus Garvey’s Back-to-Africa movement, which argued that Black Americans must move to Africa to attain dignity and self-determination. As a result, the family moved often; eventually, they settled in Lansing, Michigan.

(Shortform note: Historians explain that between 1880 and 1940, Black Americans faced particularly high levels of *[racial...

The Autobiography of Malcolm X Summary The Nation of Islam Gave X a Second Chance

While he was in prison, some of Malcolm X’s family converted to Islam—and they promised that they could help him get out of prison if he joined, too. In this section, we’ll discuss the unique teachings of the Islamic organization he joined. Then, we’ll explore how his involvement in this organization changed his life for the better, culminating in the beginning of his civil rights career.

The Nation of Islam’s Unique Teachings

The type of Islam Malcolm X’s family tried to convert him to was known as the Nation of Islam—a collection of teachings promoted by Elijah Muhammad (the Nation of Islam’s leader, who succeeded founder W.D. Fard), which posited that white people are the devil and that they’ve perpetrated evil against Black men by cutting them off from their ancestral cultures and convincing them of white superiority. Malcolm X explains that according to this belief system, the different races were purposefully created by a scientist named Yacub through eugenic engineering, and the white race was supposed to rule the world for 6,000 years before Black people (who were the original and naturally superior race) would ascend to the top.

(Shortform note: Now...

The Autobiography of Malcolm X Summary A Pilgrimage to Mecca Opened Malcolm X’s Eyes

Although the Nation of Islam helped turn Malcolm X into a successful civil rights activist, problems were brewing within the organization that he couldn’t abide by. In this section, we’ll explain why Malcolm X broke from the Nation of Islam and explore how his beliefs and civil rights work changed afterward.

Malcolm X’s Break From the Nation of Islam

Malcolm X gained prominence that other Nation of Islam leaders didn’t—and he explains that eventually, Elijah Muhammad became jealous of him. He made Malcolm X the first National Minister of the organization and praised him to his face; all the while, he told others Malcolm X was untrustworthy and that he’d betray the Nation of Islam. But Malcolm X came to know that Muhammad was the untrustworthy one: He’d been having adulterous affairs with his secretaries, who became pregnant and were harshly punished for it.

Eventually, some of those secretaries filed a paternity lawsuit against Muhammad, and Malcolm X spoke to them himself to discover the truth. He’d been hearing rumors about Muhammad’s adultery for years, but his respect for the man and dependence on his teachings had prevented him from believing them. After talking to...

The Autobiography of Malcolm X Summary Malcolm X’s Death and Legacy

Before Malcolm X had a chance to accomplish very much with his newfound beliefs and organization, he was murdered in front of his family and community. In this section, we’ll explore the circumstances around his death and discuss his legacy.

Malcolm X explains that from a young age, he believed he would die a violent death—partly because that had happened to his father and other men in his family. Now that he’d left the Nation of Islam and begun making headway as a civil rights activist, he was even more convinced that someone would kill him.

(Shortform note: Although Malcolm X expected to be killed primarily because he was a Black activist, Black men in general have a significantly higher chance of dying a violent death. Some studies suggest that young Black men in the US are 20 times more likely to die by homicide than young white men—homicide is the most common cause of death among the demographic, and this likelihood shaves six months off the average Black man’s life expectancy. [Police shootings account for a disproportionate number of homicide...

Shortform Exercise: What Does Malcolm X’s Life Mean to You?

Take some time to reflect on what you’ve learned about Malcolm X and his work as a civil rights activist.

What did you believe about Malcolm X before you read this guide? Write down both facts you knew and opinions you had about him.