For Sale: Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. NYC: Grove Press, 1965.

Description

The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley) is a powerful account of Malcolm X’s transformation from a troubled youth to a militant Nation of Islam leader and, ultimately, a human rights activist. It explores race, identity, and redemption, leaving an enduring impact on civil rights and Black liberation movements. But you already know this.

So here goes my sale’s pitch as to why you should buy my copy — as opposed to a first or a paperback reading copy: owning a nice, early hardback printing connects the reader more directly to whatever subject it is you’re reading — especially when you hold the book in your hands as you’re reading it; a well-preserved hardcover book will look striking on your bookshelf, especially next to your other civil rights-era books; and, finally, you won’t be afraid to (carefully) read this copy as opposed to the true first edition, because a true first is gonna set you back at least another thousand bucks — probably more.

Oh yea — if you don’t already know this fun little fact about Grove Press hardbound books, the edition of the book is printed on its jacket in tiny Roman numerals on the back along the spine. Including if it’s a first. See my pic. Be careful if you do buy that first — make sure someone didn’t “marry” a later-printed jacket to it!