Alex haley was the writer of two books that were important in providing insight into the black experience in america the the autobiography of malcolm x as told to alex haley and roots the saga of an american family the first published after malcom xs death told of the sense of disenfranchisement that led to the nation of islam movement. Robert norrells alex haley and the books that changed a nation provides a thorough accounting of the development and publishing of malcolm x roots and the roots miniseries unfortunately it doesnt provide nearly as deep a set of insights into the rest of haleys life and norrells choice not to pursue his own primary source research takes away from the overall richness of the book. Robert norrells alex haley and the books that changed a nation provides a thorough accounting of the development and publishing of malcolm x roots and the roots miniseries unfortunately it doesnt provide nearly as deep a set of insights into the rest of haleys life and norrells choice not to pursue his own primary source research takes away from the overall richness of the book. It is difficult to think of two twentieth century books by one author that have had as much influence on american culture when they were published as alex haleys monumental bestsellers the autobiography of malcolm x 1965 and roots 1976 they changed the way white and black ameri