In the Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam

By Mattias Gardell

Book Overview

In the Name of Elijah Muhammad tells the story of the Nation of Islam--its rise in northern inner-city ghettos during the Great Depression through its decline following the death of Elijah Muhammad in 1975 to its rejuvenation under the leadership of Louis Farrakhan. Mattias Gardell sets this story within the context of African American social history, the legacy of black nationalism, and the long but hidden Islamic presence in North America. He presents with insight and balance a detailed view of one of the most controversial yet least explored organizations in the United States--and its current leader. Beginning with Master Farad Muhammad, believed to be God in Person, Gardell examines the origins of the Nation. His research on the period of Elijah Muhammad's long leadership draws on previously unreleased FBI files that reveal a clear picture of the bureau's attempts to neutralize the Nation of Islam. In addition, they shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the murder of Malcolm X. With the main part of the book focused on the fortunes of the Nation after Elijah Muhammad's death, Gardell then turns to the figure of Minister Farrakhan. From his emergence as the dominant voice of the radical black Islamic community to his leadership of the Million Man March, Farrakhan has often been portrayed as a demagogue, bigot, racist, and anti-Semite. Gardell balances the media's view of the Nation and Farrakhan with the Nation's own views and with the perspectives of the black community in which the organization actively works. His investigation, based on field research, taped lectures, and interviews, leads to the fullest account yet of the Nation of Islam's ideology and theology, and its complicated relations with mainstream Islam, the black church, the Jewish community, extremist white nationalists, and the urban culture of black American youth, particularly the hip-hop movement and gangs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822318458
• ISBN13: 9780822318453
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Duke University Press
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Well-balanced book

The self styled 'Nation of Islam' is often subject due intense media scrutiny.To his credit the author gives a balanced view of the Nation of Islam, highlighting some of it's good points, contextualizing some of it's controversial issues and mentioning problems intrinsic to the 'Nation'. I would recommend this book to people intersted in getting to know the 'Nation of Islam'.

The best book yet, on the Nation of Islam.

This is, from an academical point of view, the best writtn book on the subject of "The Nation". Professor Gardell shows of a great deal of insight, and has managed to write a balanced book on Nation of Islam and Minister Farrakhan, and their justified claim for an improvement of the conditions for the blackman in the U.S. If you`re only reading one book on this subject, then read this one!

The Finest Book on NOI

This book is absolutely the finest written on the subject. Gardell takes a sympathetic look at NOI and presents its mythology on its own terms. His approach results in a far more objective treatment than the usual academic fare. This comprehensive work clearly explains the actions and mythologies of the group with regard to their historical, political, and religious situations. I particularly appreciated that while marking the difference between this new American Religious Movement and normative Islam he did not dismiss the authentic voice of these people. Of equal importance is the clear connection he makes between history and religion. Perhaps because Gardell is not American he is capable of viewing race and religion in the U.S. more clearly than we can ourselves. It is a perfect example of the direction in which Religious Studies methodology should be going. (Make sure and read his introduction where he explains his use of language and critical method to avoid misunderstanding him as some readers here have most certainly done.)

This is truly making it plain!

I compliment the author for capturing the ethos and culture of the Nation Of Islam. To those people outside of the Nation of Islam, this discourse can provide good content and insight for the uninitiated, into the ultimate motivation in the founding of the NOI, and what place the Nation must have in all Black Liberation strategies, both, today and in the next few centuries.

Balance and reflection

After having read and viewed a wide range of books on the Nation of Islam and also works published by the NOI, I think Gardell's presentation of the NOI is the most balanced, encompassing, systematized, readable and reflected book on the subject. This work is a must for everyone that wants some real insight into the history and theology of the Nation, whereas most other books on NOI that are still in print are providing nothing but repetions of what we already know. Read this book, acquire new insights and become wiser.