MALALA: The Story The World Hasn’t Heard Until Now

What’s it like to grow up in a society where women and girls have few rights, and a terrorist group is trying to take away the only freedoms they do have? What can one person do to combat violent extremism that is destroying everything she loves?

In I Am Malala, Nobel Peace Prize winner and girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai answers these questions by recounting her life story—from her origins in poverty to her campaign for girls’ education in Pakistan to her eventual shooting at the hands of the Taliban. Part memoir, part history of the Taliban’s rise to power and attacks on women’s and girls’ rights, I Am Malala is above all a chronicle of bravery in the face of great risk.

Our guide provides historical, political, and religious context for the events in Malala's life. We also examine the research and data behind issues such as gender according to Islam, the origins of terrorist organizations, the link between misogyny and violent extremism, and girls’ education worldwide.

Published in 1965, The Autobiography of Malcolm X chronicles how Malcolm X rose from a life of poverty and crime to become a significant leader of the civil rights movement. Malcolm X was a controversial figure—his views were often considered extreme and changed radically throughout his life. In telling his story (with the help of writer Alex Haley), Malcolm X explains why he believed what he believed—and why he fought for racial justice, even though he knew it would lead to his death.

This guide discusses the impact that early experiences of racism, pro-Black radical traditions, and Islam had on Malcolm X as well as his achievements as a civil rights activist. We’ll go into the historical and sociological context surrounding Malcolm X’s life and explore the civil rights movement (and Malcolm X’s relationship to other activists, like Martin Luther King Jr.) in more depth. We’ll also connect historical and present-day racism, and we’ll provide an update on the circumstances leading up to Malcolm X’s murder and his legacy.

You’ve likely heard of the MeToo movement, but you may not know where the phrase “me too” originated. In Unbound, award-winning activist Tarana Burke explores the pivotal role she played in founding the movement. Burke coined the phrase “me too” as a tool for healing from sexual violence based on her own journey of recovery via community connection, and she continues to work toward healing sexual violence in the Black community.

Our guide begins with a discussion of Burke’s experience of childhood sexual abuse. Next, we explore how community organizing helped Burke cope with her trauma and grow. Then, we consider the factors that led Burke to found the “me too” movement. Finally, we discuss how “me too” changed Burke’s life, explain how it relates to the MeToo hashtag, and describe Burke’s hopes for the movement’s future. In our commentary, we’ll provide more context about sexual violence and its intersection with racial injustice, explore both the original and the viral movements, and share other experts' advice on healing.

What’s it like to grow up in a society where women and girls have few rights, and a terrorist group is trying to take away the only freedoms they do have? What can one person do to combat violent extremism that is destroying everything she loves?

In I Am Malala, Nobel Peace Prize winner and girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai answers these questions by recounting her life story—from her origins in poverty to her campaign for girls’ education in Pakistan to her eventual shooting at the hands of the Taliban. Part memoir, part history of the Taliban’s rise to power and attacks on women’s and girls’ rights, I Am Malala is above all a chronicle of bravery in the face of great risk.

Our guide provides historical, political, and religious context for the events in Malala's life. We also examine the research and data behind issues such as gender according to Islam, the origins of terrorist organizations, the link between misogyny and violent extremism, and girls’ education worldwide.

You’ve likely heard of the MeToo movement, but you may not know where the phrase “me too” originated. In Unbound, award-winning activist Tarana Burke explores the pivotal role she played in founding the movement. Burke coined the phrase “me too” as a tool for healing from sexual violence based on her own journey of recovery via community connection, and she continues to work toward healing sexual violence in the Black community.

Our guide begins with a discussion of Burke’s experience of childhood sexual abuse. Next, we explore how community organizing helped Burke cope with her trauma and grow. Then, we consider the factors that led Burke to found the “me too” movement. Finally, we discuss how “me too” changed Burke’s life, explain how it relates to the MeToo hashtag, and describe Burke’s hopes for the movement’s future. In our commentary, we’ll provide more context about sexual violence and its intersection with racial injustice, explore both the original and the viral movements, and share other experts' advice on healing.

Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming delivers candid reflections on the life of the first African-American first lady. Offering a window into her personal evolution, Michelle details how ambition, hard work, and embracing her authentic story helped her journey from her family’s Chicago working-class neighborhood to a 47th-floor law office, then to the White House and beyond.

Becoming provides insights into Michelle’s self-determination: She pushed herself to excel in Ivy League classrooms and achieve a prestigious career by age 26, then mustered the courage to swerve off that path in search of greater fulfillment. It details her relationship with Barack—a love story of two opposites—and their challenging quest to navigate family and political life. Through it all, we witness a woman who perpetually strives to become a better version of herself.

What’s it like to grow up in a society where women and girls have few rights, and a terrorist group is trying to take away the only freedoms they do have? What can one person do to combat violent extremism that is destroying everything she loves?

In I Am Malala, Nobel Peace Prize winner and girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai answers these questions by recounting her life story—from her origins in poverty to her campaign for girls’ education in Pakistan to her eventual shooting at the hands of the Taliban. Part memoir, part history of the Taliban’s rise to power and attacks on women’s and girls’ rights, I Am Malala is above all a chronicle of bravery in the face of great risk.

Our guide provides historical, political, and religious context for the events in Malala's life. We also examine the research and data behind issues such as gender according to Islam, the origins of terrorist organizations, the link between misogyny and violent extremism, and girls’ education worldwide.

What’s it like to grow up in a society where women and girls have few rights, and a terrorist group is trying to take away the only freedoms they do have? What can one person do to combat violent extremism that is destroying everything she loves?

In I Am Malala, Nobel Peace Prize winner and girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai answers these questions by recounting her life story—from her origins in poverty to her campaign for girls’ education in Pakistan to her eventual shooting at the hands of the Taliban. Part memoir, part history of the Taliban’s rise to power and attacks on women’s and girls’ rights, I Am Malala is above all a chronicle of bravery in the face of great risk.

Our guide provides historical, political, and religious context for the events in Malala's life. We also examine the research and data behind issues such as gender according to Islam, the origins of terrorist organizations, the link between misogyny and violent extremism, and girls’ education worldwide.

Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming delivers candid reflections on the life of the first African-American first lady. Offering a window into her personal evolution, Michelle details how ambition, hard work, and embracing her authentic story helped her journey from her family’s Chicago working-class neighborhood to a 47th-floor law office, then to the White House and beyond.

Becoming provides insights into Michelle’s self-determination: She pushed herself to excel in Ivy League classrooms and achieve a prestigious career by age 26, then mustered the courage to swerve off that path in search of greater fulfillment. It details her relationship with Barack—a love story of two opposites—and their challenging quest to navigate family and political life. Through it all, we witness a woman who perpetually strives to become a better version of herself.

Melania gives readers a window into the life and experiences of Melania Trump, first lady of the United States from 2016 to 2020. In her memoir, Melania shares her journey from her early life in Slovenia to her role in the White House. The book explores her reflections on the challenges and triumphs she faced while balancing her priorities and responsibilities during her time in the White House. Through never-before-heard anecdotes, the memoir highlights the multifaceted, and often challenging, role of a first lady in today's political landscape.

This guide offers a chronological summary of Melania’s life, emphasizing her priorities and reflections during her tenure as first lady. In addition, we’ll provide context on the role of first ladies, highlight notable omissions in the memoir, and present multiple perspectives on key historical events, including insight from former White House advisers and senior aides.