Malcolm X - A Life Of Reinvention

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0120110606Manning Marable spent over twenty years writing this exhaustive account of the life of Malcolm X. In it he challenges many preconceptions held about Malcolm and examines Malcolm's own autobiography - revealing the truth about his omissions and inaccuracies.

Malcolm's early life was extremely tough. Inspired by Marcus Garvey his parents kept moving home to spread the word but they always ran up against the Ku Klux Klan and other vigilante groups determined to see them run out of town.

Read by Colin McFarlane

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Malcolm's parents kept moving home to spread the word but clashed with the Ku Klux Klan.

0220110607Manning Marable spent over twenty years writing this exhaustive account of the life of Malcolm X. In it he challenges many preconceptions held about Malcolm and examines Malcolm's own autobiography - revealing the truth about his omissions and inaccuracies.

Malcolm travels to Boston and New York and has his eyes opened about what city life really means. He attempts to hold down a job as a sandwich salesman on the railways but soon becomes embroiled in petty thievery and small time drug trafficking culminating in a prison sentence.

Read by Colin McFarlane

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Malcolm travelled to Boston and New York and had his eyes opened about real city life.

0320110608Manning Marable spent over twenty years writing this exhaustive account of the life of Malcolm X. In it he challenges many preconceptions held about Malcolm and examines Malcolm's own autobiography - revealing the truth about his omissions and inaccuracies.

In prison, Malcolm converts to Islam and joins the Nation of Islam. He educates himself and quickly becomes an inspiring orator. Once released he becomes one of the most successful recruiters the NOI has ever had - and slowly realises that in order for the NOI to prosper, it needs to engage with the whole population.

Read by Colin McFarlane

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

In prison, Malcolm joined the Nation of Islam and quickly became an inspiring orator.

0420110609Manning Marable spent over twenty years writing this exhaustive account of the life of Malcolm X. In it he challenges many preconceptions held about Malcolm and examines Malcolm's own autobiography - revealing the truth about his omissions and inaccuracies.

Feeling his faith shaking, Malcolm decides to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca. Here he encounters a huge panoply of peoples all aspiring to follow the true Islamic path. He becomes convinced that unless he engages with the wider community - his ideals will falter. But some ill-chosen words after the assassination of President Kennedy leads him to become alienated from the Nation of Islam.

Read by Colin McFarlane

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Feeling his faith shaking, Malcolm undertook an eye-opening pilgrimage to Mecca.

05 LAST20110610Manning Marable spent over twenty years writing this exhaustive account of the life of Malcolm X. In it he challenges many preconceptions held about Malcolm and examines Malcolm's own autobiography - revealing the truth about his omissions and inaccuracies.

Having fallen out with Elijah Muhammad the leader of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm feels his life may be under threat. However he believes that keeping a very public profile is essential and may even keep him safe. But on Sunday Feb 21st 1965 he is assassinated just as he starts a speech at the Audubon Theatre in Harlem. No one has ever been sure who ordered his murder.

Read by Colin McFarlane

A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

Malcolm was assassinated in Harlem on 21st February 1965. But by whom?