Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary (Hardcover)

by Walter Dean Myers (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In his preface, Newbery Honor book author Myers ( Scorpions ; Fallen Angels ) notes that Malcolm X's pivotal impact on the civil rights movement of the '60s was the result of his distinctive, dramatic approach: "It was Malcolm's anger, his biting wit, his dedication, that put the hard edge on the movement, that provided the other side of the sword, not the handle of acceptance and nonviolence, but the blade." Appropriately, it is with incisive, precise prose that the author chronicles the labyrinthine path of Malcolm's life, from his 1925 birth in Omaha to his assassination in Harlem 40 years later. Seamlessly fusing historical notes on the era with the activist's story, Myers tells of Malcolm's childhood, which was greatly influenced by his father, a disciple of Marcus Garvey; his life as a youth on the streets of Harlem and Boston, where he was convicted of burglary; his self-education while imprisoned for more than six years; his crucial role in and eventual split from the Nation of Islam; and his pilgrimage to Mecca, which inspired his Organization of Afro-American Unity, established "to unify Africans on an international basis." The inclusion of quotations from Malcolm X's eloquent autobiography brings an added dimension to Myers's account and successfully rounds out this carefully researched portrait of a deeply devoted individual. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-- Myers organizes Malcolm X's life into four stages: his childhood; his adolescence; his period of working under Elijah Mohammad; and his life after breaking with the Nation of Islam. Throughout, his experiences and actions are presented in a broader social context, from the beliefs of Marcus Garvey, who exerted such an influence upon Malcolm's parents, to the culture of adolescent black males in the 1930s and 1940s, to the contrasts between the Nation of Islam's views and those of Martin Luther King, Jr, with all the shadings in between. The author discusses the evolution in Malcolm's character, as his belief in Islam gradually taught him that not all whites were the enemies of African-Americans. He strikes a good balance between his subject's personal life and broader social issues and movements. Myers does not judge whether or not Malcolm X's views were better than those of King, but rather shows how both appealed to specific audiences and contributed to the struggles of the 1960s. Surprisingly, though, there is very little discussion of current controversies that have emerged from the two points of view. Black-and-white photographs and a reproduction of a page from Malcolm's extensive FBI file help readers to visualize the key personages and events in America's past. Myers's evenhanded approach will provoke thought and discussion among reluctant readers, who may find Jack Rummel's fact-laden Malcolm X (Chelsea, 1989) slow going. --Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Siena College Library, Loudonville, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 210 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590464841
• ISBN-13: 978-0590464840
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #841,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #32 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( M ) > Myers, Walter Dean
  #35 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Malcolm X

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rolemodel for the world, May 2, 2002

By	Mustafe Mohamed (California, SD (619)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary (Paperback)

Book Review
Malcolm X "by any means neccesary"
By: Walter Dean Myers
Reviewed by Mustafe Mohamed.

Malcolm X was one of the most devoted men who ever walked on earth. From street wise thug to a civil rights leader he had changed hatred into love. The book Malcolm X `by any means neccesary" written by Walter Dean Myers pushes you to your main objective in life. Malcolm X as known by many was a role model for all mankind.

Growing up wasn't a teenagers typical day for Malcolm.Day to day as he went outside to the world he would see hatred in the eyes of his brothers. As a child Malcolm experienced the life of violence, racism, and segregation. Everything that surrounded him was hate and struggle and that's way he became a street wise hustler.

As time traveled so would he. Getting wiser was part of growing up.Malcolm at age fourteen realize that he wanted to be someone successful in life. During his life Malcolm also realized that knowledge created hate and truth created violence. The author attempts and successfully shows how one person can change and impact a world just in a matter of time.

by the time of his tragic murder in 1965, Malcolm was world famous as the "angriest black man in America," why, because he strived to end racism and segregation amongst the human race. Malcolm unlike many other men brought new hope and self-respect.

Unlike other Authors, Walter dean Myers introduces a strong character who's life will impact you all throughout your life. This book opened up my mind to many questions, taught me not to always swallow what is dished( in terms of KNOWLEDGE). This is one book that you won't put down once you've started, this book also attempts to answer any questions about the struggle of life just by looking at the life and work of Malcolm X.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walter Dean Myers Succeeds Again!, July 21, 2005

By	Mary K. Entsminger "teacher" (Orland Park, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary (Paperback)

Evaluation: This is a wonderfully written biography of an influential African American, Malcolm X. Beginning with his birth in 1925 and ending with his assassination in 1965, Walter Dean Myers describes the trials and tribulations of one of America's radical African American leaders. The book details the many differences between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. Though both men aimed to lift the African American people from their second class citizenship, Martin Luther King believed in a nonviolent approach. On the other hand, Malcolm X believed that the African American community needed to revolt. "Revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way" (p. 107). These were Malcolm X's words as he described his belief that no African American solution could possibly involve fitting into a white society. Students will enjoy reading this biography. They will come to learn about a controversial figure in America. Several photographs and illustrations will help to entice even the most reluctant of readers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Malcolm X, May 29, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary (Paperback)

This is a book about Malcolm X and what he has accomplished in his life. This book tells how he inherited the name Malcolm X. It tells about all his encounters with other famous leaders including Martin Luther King JR., Elijah Muhammad, and others. This book tells about his family, how he became an Islam ruler, and what he did to try to make the world a better place. I recommend this book to any readers interested in the life of Malcolm X or readers that are just interested in a good biography.