Kayan : 1/26 : The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley

My first copy of this book is with Don Mangowa in Zambia right now. I brought it with me on my Africa trip last year. Reading it by the bonfire one night, Don - a bright 20 year old - told me that he loves to read, but that books are expensive and hard to find. Don has heard of Malcolm X, "a great man."

It was only natural that I handed it right over to Don. I still remember the look of appreciation on his face.

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Reading my second copy of the book on the bus one day, an African American man sat down next to me. He peeked over, and asked, "Is that Malcolm X you're reading?"

"Yes."
Man looked at me, looked at book, then looked at me again. "Is that for school?"
"No."
"You're reading it just because?"
"Yes."
Man looked at me again. "Are you Chinese?"
"Yes."
"Huh!"

I then asked him if he has read it. Turns out The Nice Man majored in African American history in college, and this book was very much studied. As I was only on page 20 or so (slow reader), The Nice Man told me that the chapter on Malcolm X's visit to Mecca is something great.

As he got up for his stop, I thanked him for the pleasant chat. We shook hands, and he hoped that I would enjoy the book.

I did. And he was right about the chapter on Mecca.