The Dead Are Arising

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Les Payne, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, dedicated nearly thirty years to interviewing those who knew Malcolm X, including family, friends, and political figures. His ambitious goal was to create an unprecedented portrait of Malcolm X, distinguishing fact from fiction. The biography offers a unique glimpse into Malcolm's life, inspired by a phrase he used to describe his followers' determination against racism. It situates his journey within the Nation of Islam and the broader context of American history, tracing his evolution from a street criminal to a devoted revolutionary. Payne recounts Malcolm's life from his birth in Nebraska in 1925 to his assassination in Harlem in 1965, highlighting the influence of his Garveyite parents. He vividly depicts Malcolm's experiences as a petty criminal in Boston and Harlem during the 1930s and 1940s, leading to his religious awakening and conversion in prison. The biography corrects historical inaccuracies and reveals extraordinary insights, including the identity of the mysterious NOI founder "Fard Muhammad" and a dramatic account of Malcolm's 1961 meeting with the KKK. Completed by Payne's daughter, Tamara, after his passing, this work powerfully underscores Malcolm X's significance in the African American freedom struggle.