Alex Haley is a writer who approaches with caution a man [Malcolm X] many believe to be dangerous and sinister, who always maintains an objective distance, but nevertheless grows attached to his subject and takes extra pains to make the narrative glow. Had Alex Haley been a member of the Nation of Islam, and this had been some sort of official biography (though Malcolm, of course, was severed from the group so its writing would …showed first 75 words of 527 total…

…showed last 75 words of 527 total…has a phenomenal ability to hold the reader's interest with acute attention to detail and dialogue that is not often found in historical accounts. This fact, combined with the actual story that is being told make for a book that you don't want to stop reading until you are done. Readers will be amazed by Malcolm's transformation and, in the process, will learn much about the Nation of Islam and about orthodox Islam as well.