The Other Malcolm—“Shorty” Jarvis

The life of Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis, Malcolm X’s best friend before his conversion to Islam, is the subject of this memoir. Jarvis (who died in September 1998) and Paul D. Nichols tell Jarvis’ story to set the record straight about his personality and character, which they felt had been falsely portrayed in other books and films about Malcolm X. The relationship between Jarvis and Malcolm X began in a Roxbury pool hall in 1942. A main purpose of this book is to bring to light information about the life, spirituality, and philosophy of Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis, an accomplished jazz musician. Numerous photographs. Index.

Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis died in September of 1998 after a five-year struggle with liver cancer. His life has been portrayed by Spike Lee in the movie “Malcolm X” and by Alex Haley in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Paul Nichols lives in Seattle, Washington.

Cornel R. West lives in New York.

Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis with Paul D. Nichols

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 179
Bibliographic Info: 35 photos, index
Copyright Date: 2009 [2001]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4057-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments I by Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis      vii
Acknowledgments II by Paul D. Nichols      ix
Preface by Paul D. Nichols       1
Introduction by Cornel R. West      5

1. Light of Truth      7
2. The Family      14
3. Reminiscing      24
4. Trial and Incarceration      60
5. Transgression-of the Mind      74
6. The Black Man and Christianity      106
7. Pivotal Events      124
8. The Vision      138
9. Extraordinary Phenomena      143
10. Dreams       150

Afterword by Paul D. Nichols      154
Index      163