Malcolm X: The Assassination [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael Friedly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 1995

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X knew the end was near. For months he had been outrunning armed Muslims who wanted to kill him for breaking with Elijah Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, and defaming his name. And the strain showed as he moved to the podium in Harlem's Audubon Ballroom where a crowd of four hundred had gathered for a public rally -- only to witness Malcolm's X's violent end.

Malcolm X: The assassination explores the conspiracy theories that found the FBI and CIA responsible for the murder, examines the stories of the two Muslim brothers from a New York mosque who were wrongly convicted of the crime, and provides an in-depth analysis of Malcolm X relationship with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam.

Now, three decades later, the controversy behind the assassination still rages in today's headlines, and the unresolved circumstances of Malcolm's tragic death continue to create a haunting legacy for us all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This survey, which grew out of Friedly's honors thesis at Stanford University, breaks no new ground but carefully summarizes much material on the assassination of Malcolm X, concluding that "it was actually the Nation of Islam, and not the government, whose driving desire to see the black nationalist silenced could have led to murder." After describing the assassination, Friedly sketches the highly inadequate trial, which aimed merely to decide the guilt of the three suspects and pointedly failed to illuminate the facts behind the killing. Friedly deftly dissects the various conspiracy theories, most of which suggest government agents killed Malcolm to prevent his call for African governments to condemn U.S. racism. Using information from assassin Talmadge Hayer, Friedly reconstructs the assassins' plan to kill Malcolm X, then explores Malcolm X's break with Elijah Muhammad that gave the Black Muslims a motive. Though the Nation of Islam was not an inherently violent organization, the group members possessed some characteristics--such as unswerving loyalty--that encouraged some to pursue violence. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A reasoned analysis of the factors leading to the destruction of Malcolm...Clear [and] thoughtful."

-- Booklist

"Add[s] new insights on Malcolm X's life, death, and role in African American history."

-- Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine Books Ed edition (February 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345400100
• ISBN-13: 978-0345400109
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,271,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Homework Done, May 20, 2010

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Alphonso Brown (Queens, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Malcolm X: The Assassination (Mass Market Paperback)

At first reading, it seems that the intent is to steer the reader away from governmental conspiracy theories, However, as I got into the heart of the materials, the cross referencing provided a global view of the means, motives, and opportunities of the accused entities and allowed the reader to search his own mind and reach a conclusion based on the evidence submitted. A well put together book.