The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X

"The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X" offers a profound exploration of one of the most significant leaders in the fight for racial justice. This biography, which secured the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Biography and the 2020 National Book Award for Nonfiction, is the result of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne’s nearly three decades of research, including interviews with those who knew Malcolm X personally. Payne’s meticulous narrative not only redefines the misunderstood contours of Malcolm X’s life but also enriches our understanding of American history. From his formative years influenced by his Garveyite parents to his pivotal transformation in prison leading to his rise as a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, this book captures the essence of Malcolm X’s impact on the civil rights movement. Middle school students will find this biography an invaluable resource in understanding the complexities of historical and ongoing struggles for racial equality. Through vivid accounts and 32 pages of compelling illustrations, readers are invited to critically engage with the past to better navigate the present.