Inside the Nation of Islam: A Historical and Personal Testimony of a Black Muslim

by Vibert L. White Jr.

Book Overview

From the foreword: "Far and away the most personal and the most engrossing story I've read about Louis Farrakhan; and if the professor doesn't solve the riddle of just who is Louis Farrakhan (and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813020824
• ISBN13: 9780813020822
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: University Press of Florida
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Penetrating Look Inside the Nation of Islam

In 1995 Loius Farrakan was big news with his Million Man March, which he promised would bring black power to politics. Within a year his organization, The Nation of Islam, became a focus of controversy when one of his ministers said that Jews were responsible for the holocaust. Then Malcom X's daughter blamed Farrakan for his assassination, something he denied, but sort of apologized for on 60 Minutes.This is the first good book on the "black muslims" since Louis Lomax wrote his aacout of Elijah Muhammad and Malcom X in the 1960's and is the only book written by someone who was a member of the NOI - except Malcom X's book - which is a classic.White gives a penetrating acount into the NOI. To me his potrayal makes the organization look like a cult around Farrakan. Everything in it is geared to promoting his public image and money is raised to maintain that. Much of what the NOI does is just show. The Million Man March, accomplished nothing, except to raise Farrakan money. Farrakan talks - but really does few concrete initiatives. His trips to the Middle East with "world leaders" is an example of this - all show, but no real substance. Just acting to give the appearance of being more important than he really is and to keep his followers excited about what he might do or say next.This is why Farrakan has a tendency to say something insulting - or anti-semitic from time to time - it gets him news coverage, attention, and makes him look like an important and contervsial figure. It gets him members, which is the bottom line.One thing that surpised me in this book is the shabby financial condition that the NOI is in. I would guess that one day it will eventually go bankrupt - probably after Farrakan retires or passes away from the scene. I've never seen a detailed account of the NOI business structure and finances - but here it is in this book.Although, White gives plenty of ammo for critics of the NOI I saw his book as a sensitive treatment of them. Adding some of his own story to the book is helpeful to show how/why someone would join the organization. Although some of the leaders may be rotten, many of the members are looking to improve their lives and make the world a better place, even if they have been misled.This is an important book for people who want to understand the legacy of the nationalist strain in black America. From Marcus Garvey to Elijah Muhummad to the Black Panthers to Louis Farrakan there will always be a strain of black leaders of the nationalist bent. This book is one of the best sources for understanding this in contemporary times - and in the past 20 years.

Highly Recommend Book for Reading !!!

I've Read this book and to be honest the author did state that in his writing, "these are my own personal views"; in which are alot of assumptions. We must remember that, "even though the teachings are perfect human beings are not, this is why we strive to be perfect". I have to say that this is good reading for those whom are considering joining the Nation of Islam in order that you may know that the Nation of Islam is not a perfect utopia but is striving to be.