Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X [Paperback]

Michael Eric Dyson (Author)

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Product Details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; New edition edition (Jan 1 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195102851
ISBN-13: 978-0195102857
Product Dimensions: 22.3 x 13.7 x 1.5 cm
Shipping Weight: 318 g
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #963,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Malcolm X

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Dyson sees Malcolm X as a symbol of the self-discipline, self-esteem and moral leadership necessary to combat the spiritual and economic corruption of poor African American communities. This thoughtful, scholarly essay on the charismatic political leader, assassinated in 1965, scrutinizes his reemergence as a cultural hero. Dyson, a Baptist minister and professor of communications at the University of North Carolina, calls for a new progressive black politics anchored in radical democracy, redistribution of wealth through taxation and restructuring of opportunities for the neediest. The legacy of both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. to progressive blacks, he maintains, is the imagination and energy to build bridges with Latinos, gays, feminists, environmental activists and others seeking equality and economic democracy. Calling the Malcolm portrayed in Spike Lee's recent film "a potent and valuable figure," Dyson nevertheless faults Lee for leaving largely untouched Malcolm's broadening of his ideological perspective in his final years.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA?In the first section of this scholarly discourse, Dyson analyzes a selective group of writings by and about Malcolm X, discussing various interpretations of events, Malcolm's evolving philosophy, and its perceived place in today's world. The larger, second section is an attempt to place Malcolm into historical context by comparing him to Martin Luther King, Jr., and to figures such as Louis Farrakhan, and to interpret his strong influence on young African American males through films and music. The author shows in thorough and definitive detail just how important Malcolm is to disenfranchised youth. Unfortunately, his writing style is pompous and repetitive, and the vocabulary is difficult. In addition, there are times when his personal viewpoints and experiences intrude upon and interrupt the flow of his narrative. However, if students are willing to put forth the effort, they will find some interesting perspectives and creative analyses of a powerful cultural icon of the 20th century.?Pat Royal, Crossland High School, Camp Springs, MD
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
Malcolm X, one of the most complex and enigmatic African-American leaders ever, was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. Read the first page

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Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)

4.0 out of 5 stars An informative perspective on Malcolm, July 25 2011

By jamoore - Published on Amazon.com

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This review is from: Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X (Paperback)

I am a big fan of Malcolm X. Next to my father, Malcolm has been the biggest influence on my life. So I was very interested in getting an analysis of Malcolm's life from the extremely intelligent professor and social commentator Michael Eric Dyson.

Dr. Dyson does an excellent job of objectively presenting Malcolm's ideas and views, both positive and negative. While Dr. Dyson lauds Malcolm's discipline and ability to criticize himself, he scorns Malcolm's early misogynism. There are parts of the book that get a bit heady for the casual reader, such as Dyson's over worded explanation of two psychobiographies written about Malcolm. But overall, Dr. Dyson does an excellent job of explaining Malcolm's role in contemporary society, especially in his plea to rescue young black males.

Dr. Dyson does get off subject at times, such as his overanalysis of early 1990s black films and his semi rant against inconsistencies in the Clinton adminstration. But Dyson does an excellent job of reviewing Spike Lee's biopic on Malcolm, in fact devoting a whole chapter to it.

Overall there were some confusing points in the book that force me to deduct a star, but the book still an informative and enjoyable read about a giant in American history.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SO YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW MALCOLM, Mar 11 2011

By LAB - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X (Paperback)

This book barrow from other scholarly works of people from every part of the political spectrum, and also comments on modern interpretations of Malcolm X. Michael Eric Dyson does a great job of remaining objective in his views of Malcolm and talks about tough issues like misogyny, sexuality, and his contempoary legacy. He also goes into the need for different people to shape Malcolm into someone who serves their own interest, and how even Malcolm shaped the way people viewed him when creating his autobiography. Great read, I recommend.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Researched, Intellectually Honest, Black "Progressive" Perspective, Sep 6 2010

By K Sheffield - Published on Amazon.com

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X (Paperback)

Anyone who wants to know an intellectual analysis of Black American culture needs to read the works of Professor Dyson. Making Malcolm is no exception. I'm only 103 pages into it, and will revise this review if the book ends much differently than it started. But I'm impressed with Dr. Dyson's comprehensive description of who Malcolm was. I appreciate the fact that Dr. Dyson has not allowed his own Progressive opinions to transform Malcolm into something he wasn't. Yes, Dyson seems to be what most politically involved Black intellectuals are... leftists, Liberals, Progressives, etcetera. But he has not (in the first 103 pages) made the brazen declaration that Malcolm was a Liberal... because he wasn't!

This book is not for the modestly educated (which I am) unless you have an unabridged dictionary and quick access to Wikipedia (which I do) to help you understand Dr. Dyson's references to Archimedes and Manichaeism (which I don't). If you have a deep understanding or interest in Malcolm X, you'll probably be able to navigate through Dr. Dyson's analysis with few problems besides an annoyance about his pedantic style. (Look at me, using the word "pedantic" and criticizing someone else for being so!)

No one should consider himself a proponent or well-informed critic of Malcolm X's philosophy without being familiar with Dr. Dyson's work on the subject. Leftists may be surprised to learn that Malcolm wasn't so close to what they believe. And "Conservatives" may be reluctantly enlightened by how far Malcolm was from the left-wing extremist demon they love to believe that he was.

After I finish this book I plan to purchase I May Not Get There With You for Dr. Dyson's analysis of Dr. MLK's life.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews 4.5 out of 5 stars