--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not long ago, an English writer…" description: "\"Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me from London, asking questions. One was \"What's your alma mater?\" I told him, \"Books.\" You will never catc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a81/malcolm-x-213_able_not-long-ago-an-english-writer-telephone_2461146.jpg" --- # Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me from London… ![“Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me from London, asking questions. One was "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books." You will never catch me with a free fifteen minutes in which I'm not studying something I feel might be able to help the black man.” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a81/malcolm-x-213_able_not-long-ago-an-english-writer-telephone_2461146.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a81/malcolm-x-213_able_not-long-ago-an-english-writer-telephone_2461146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a81/malcolm-x-213_able_not-long-ago-an-english-writer-telephone_2461146.jpg) > “Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me from London, asking questions. One was "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books." You will never catch me with a free fifteen minutes in which I'm not studying something I feel might be able to help the black man.” [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker values continuous learning and sees books as his true education, dedicating time to study that can aid others, especially marginalized people. **In simple terms:** Books are his alma mater; he always studies to help others. Key Takeaway Prioritize learning that benefits the community. Themes education activism self-improvement Mood determined reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - community activism - mentoring - research for social justice Key Concepts continuous learning social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate study into a busy schedule? - What knowledge can you share to uplift others? A Different Perspective Limited time may restrict depth of study. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alma mater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alma-mater/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [Long ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-ago/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [An English writer telephoned me from London, asking questions. One was, ‘What’s your alma mater?’ I told him, ‘Books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/an-english-writer-telephoned-me-from-london-asking-questions-one-was/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“You will never catch me with a free fifteen minutes in which I'm not studying something I feel might be able to help the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/you-will-never-catch-me-with-a-free-fifteen-minutes-in-which-i-m-not/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [My alma mater was books, a good library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/my-alma-mater-was-books-a-good-library/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“I have often reflected upon the new vistas that reading opened to me. I knew right there, in prison, that reading had changed forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-have-often-reflected-upon-the-new-vistas-that-reading-opened-to-me-2/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [My Alma mater was books, a good library... I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/my-alma-mater-was-books-a-good-library-i-could-spend-the-rest-of-my/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [And my advice for college graduates is don't reflexively give money to your alma mater, something particular to Americans that I find extraordinary. 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Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Be nonviolent only with those who are nonviolent to you. 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