As a sociology major in the late 60s, I read Hailey’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and wrote a paper on the book. Denzel did Malcolm justice in the film.

Then, amazingly enough, Hailey came to Portland State University (Oregon) and lectured for 2-3 hours to a jammed auditorium on Roots… five years before it was published in hard cover. He was spellbinding. (And I was really bugged, year after year, when the book was delayed.)