Rather than view Manning Marable’s Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention as “a definitive work,” as some have called it, I, along with many others, believe Marable has left us a severely flawed biography. A Life of Reinvention is a contradictory political reshaping and distortion – a lie really – of the life and times of Malcolm X. Such a “lie” demands a strong critical response, from scholars, activists, and others in the Black community, especially publishers like us, who have benefited so richly from Malcolm’s example and legacy.
Searching for an editor to assemble a critical response led me to Jared A. Ball, who enthusiastically agreed to take on this task with the assistance of his comrade and co-editor, Todd Steven Burroughs. Halfway into the project, we decided that A Lie of Reinvention would be a perfect counter-title to Marable’s A Life of Reinvention. We also agreed that our title would speak directly to the numerous problems that critics have identified with Marable’s book. These problems include excessive use of innuendo, glaring omissions, questionable sourcing, undocumented speculation, misdirected conclusions, and an unexplained and inexcusable lack of key primary sources, for example (and maybe especially) Malcolm’s wife and family. The product of these many flaws, we believe, is essentially the LIE…
To be clear, with our title selection, and with the book itself, we are not asserting that Manning Marable is a liar. We do not make such a claim. Nor do we direct any ill will or disrespect toward Manning Marable, or his publisher, Viking Press. Instead, this book is purposely titled and published because of our intent to provide a necessary correction of Manning Marable’s Malcolm X.
W. Paul Coates
Publisher
Hey, Paul get me a copy asap. I am on my way this Thursday to speak on Malcolm at Michigan State University and then to Detroit for a tribute to Yusef Lateef. By the way, look over the promo above for redundancy. Best, Hb
I attempted to order my copy on Black Classic Press’s website. The website said that there were 0 books available. Please let me know how I can obtain one.
Hi Jared: I pre-ordered the book through Amazon in August, but the date of release kept changing. Can you tell me whether the book is now available? I cannot wait to finally read the rebuttal to Mr. Marable. Thanks and Peace!
Thanks Valerie… the book is available 10/2 via amazon and since a few days ago via BlackClassicPress.com where we’d like most purchasers to go if possible.
Herb, I passed your note to Paul. And my apologies, I am a week early apparently with the announcement. Books will be available next week! Thanks good people for your patience.
Hi Jared: I pre-ordered the book through Amazon in August, but the date of release kept changing. Can you tell me whether the book is now available? I cannot wait to finally read the rebuttal to Mr. Marable. Thanks and Peace!
The Whiteman want to take everything away from the Black man.A Lie of Reinvention by Marable; and they were never short on stool(s)
I got my copy! Thanks so much for the work put in to create a new addition to the inspiring work about Malcolm.