Malcolm X for Beginners (Writers and Readers) [Hardcover]

Bernard Doctor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1992 | Series: Writers and Readers

An introduction to the teachings of Malcolm X discusses his life and death and elucidates his ideas about achieving equality for African Americans by any means necessary. Simultaneous.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up -- This is not a critical biography. The publisher calls it a "documentary comic book." Doctor is a graphic artist, and each page is primarily an illustration. Images include Ku Klux Klansmen with flaming crosses, naked chained slaves, Malcolm as an armed robber and in jail with devil's horns, and a lynching. These pictures are the strongest part of the book. The hand-lettered text follows a rough chronological arrangement, but mentions only six dates, so that it is difficult to understand the sequence of events and historical context of Malcolm's early life. There are no footnotes, and the bibliography contains incomplete citations, so there is no way to tell if emotions and dialogue are authentic or simply the author's interpretation. Doctor also inserts comments that further disrupt the flow of the book. For example, "Racism is an ugly monster that is as alive in America today as it was in Malcolm's time, devouring the soul of the country," appears between two pages dealing with events in the early 1960s. Quotations do not always appear in quotation marks, nor are they identified. Organizations are often referred to by initials, sometimes without explanation. Rather than being "for beginners," this book is comprehensible only to those already familiar with the life of Malcolm X and the history of the late 20th century. The inconsistent style, incomplete historical information, and lack of organization make this book inappropriate for junior high school students or adult new readers. Though the illustrations are interesting, and the radical viewpoint needs expression, the audience for and purpose of the book is unclear. --Amy Healey, Chicago Pub. Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Writers & Readers; 1St Edition edition (August 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863161456
• ISBN-13: 978-0863161452
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,937,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Black Prince, February 3, 2000

By 

rareoopdvds (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Malcolm X for Beginners (Writers and Readers) (Paperback)

This book by Bernard Aquina Doctor gives a nice history of Malcom X, a black leader of the 60's. A leader of the Black Muslims as well as the Black Rights movement alongside (and many times seemingly against) Martin KLuther King Jr. Aquinas lays the ground work by discussing Malcoms childhood, who his father was which would prove to be pivotal later in Malcom's life. Growing up poor and oppressed by the WW2 and the KKK among others, Malcom fought his way to the top and demanded to be heard by all. He was shot and killed at one of his lectures by one of the Black Muslims in 1965. Reccomended for those interested in Malcom X's ideas, as well as those curious about the black movement and some philosophies that went with it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Malcom X for beginners, November 29, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Malcolm X for Beginners (Writers and Readers) (Paperback)

Book Review
"Malcom X for Beginners"
By: Bernard Aquina Doctor

One of Malcom X's most significant quotes was "Look out for the children they are the last hope of America, it's too late for us grownups" he said that before he was assinated. This is a very informative novel about the life of an African American leader. The first part of the book describes the up's and down's of Malcom's life. The Klu Klux Klan nearly killed Malcom's mom, dad, brothers and sisters when they set their house on fire. That's just the beginning of Malcom's troubles. During the 1920's and somewhat today racism is ignored. There was no use for an African American trial to go to court, the jury would protect a white person and find him/her not guilty, any way. The turning point in this novel was when Malcom X and his friend Shorty went to jail. However, there were two white girls involved with Malcolm's and Shorty's criminal acts. These women were never convicted or even fined for there wrong doings. Malcom realized that his past was destructive and turns it around by joining the Nation of Islam which empowered him as a man and as an Africa American. This biography is a very strong (informing you of the truth) because it focuses on the hard times of African Americans and a powerful man, Malcom X.



Written by L.J. Folsom

5.0 out of 5 stars Malcom X for beginners, November 28, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Malcolm X for Beginners (Writers and Readers) (Paperback)

Malcom X by Bernard Aquina Doctor
One of Malcom's most vivid sayings was "Look out for the children they are the last hope of America it's to late for us grownups" he said that before he was assinated. The book is a very informative novel about the life of an African American leader. The first part of the book describes the up's and down's of Malcom's life. Nearly killing Malcom's mom, dad, brothers and sisters the Ku Klux KLan set there house on fire. That's just the beginning of Malcom's troubles. Durning the 1920's and somewhat today racism is ignored. There was no use to taking a trial to coart the jury would just say that the white man is not charged in any way. The most suspenseful part of the story was when Malcom X and friend went to jail but the two white girls with them did not go to jail or even get fined. Malcom learns that his past wasn't great and turns it around by joining the Nation of Islam. This book is a very strong(inforing you the truth)because if focuses on the hard times of an African American named Malcom X. Segregation then was very extreme.