Black Rage: Malcolm X (People in Focus)

A biography of the noted Black Muslim leader, looking back on his life from the day of his assassination in 1965

Grade 5-8-- Opening with a chapter that describes the subject's frame of mind and actions on the day of his assassination, Collins relates how violence and deprivation characterized Malcolm X's life. Crime and fast living seemed to be his life's choices, until they were squelched at the age of 20, when he was sentenced to prison. Afterwards, his conversion to the Nation of Islam provided him with new direction for which he became famous. The writing style of this biography is engaging, and the author provides considerable insight into the man. However, there is a slight imbalance in the portrayal, for only one chapter out of eight covers Malcolm X's involvement with the Nation of Islam. The majority of the book is about his life before he was sentenced to prison. Illustrations consist of several black-and-white photographs, which are informative but not necessarily enhancing. Spike Lee's film about Malcolm X should result in a rise in the demand for biographical information on this individual. --Jeanette Lambert, Nashville Metropolitan Schools, TN
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.