First, I've not read either Haley's or Dyson's bios, nor seen Lee's movie.

So, coming at this fresh, I find this a powerful autobiography of a powerful figure. Especially after Malcolm's break with National of Islam, Marable shows a man liberated from past constraints while trying to find a new way of political, social and theological thought. In general, Marable does a very good job here; that said, per one other reviewer, he does bog down in trivia at times.

Marable also "rescues" Malcolm from the idea of, or claim that, he was approaching King's stance on how to address civil rights issues after his return from his final African trip. Having spoken against Vietnam before King and having more friendly relationships with Black Power leaders before his death makes that seem unlikely.

Marable points out Malcolm's foibles, too, including his overhyping his criminal record and, interestingly, his oftentime offering of too much trust to too many people, part of what, arguably, led to his killing.

Speaking of, I think Marable has a very good take on the assassination. I doubt either the FBI or NYPD had any hand in planning it, but, because both organizations had informers inside both NOI and Malcolm's post-NOI circle, I don't doubt Manning is right in saying one, the other, or both surely has some inkling Malcolm was in NOI's crosshairs. The travesty of the trial of three people, two of whom weren't even at the Audubon auditorium the nigh of the murder, shows that, or at least hints at it.

My only other complaint of any real sort? For a book this size, it sure lacks photos, especially of Betty Shabazz and much of Malcolm's inner circle.