For twenty years, Columbia University professor Manning Marable worked on the book that, as a New York Times story by Larry Rohter notes, “he considered his life’s work: redefining the legacy of Malcolm X.”  The book, Malcolm X: A life of Reinvention, “described by the few scholars who have seen it as full of new and startling information and insights,” is due out today. Marable died Friday.

MOBYLIVES » Hail & Farewell: Manning Marable, Malcolm X biographer, on eve of publication.