Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2001), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 416 pages
Description
An autobiography of the Baptist minister Martin Luther King, Jr., compiled and edited from articles, essays, speeches, sermons, letters, and other sources, examining his private and public life and describing his involvement in many important events in the civil rights movement.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lynsbro
A wonderful portrait of Dr. King,a powerful,though humble and charismatic leader.Above all an exceedingly brave and dedicated person.
The speeches and the Letter from Birmingham Jail are very moving and inspiring.
Where,O where is there a man of stature today?
The speeches and the Letter from Birmingham Jail are very moving and inspiring.
Where,O where is there a man of stature today?
LibraryThing member docliz
'In 1985 Dr Carlson was invited by the King family to direct the long term project of editing and publishing the papers of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.' This excellent book is very readable and moves easily between commentary and extracts from his messages, preaches and letters. A moving,
Favourite quotes:
a lesson for our politicians- ' I strongly feel that we must end not merely poverty among Negroes but poverty among white people. Like wise, I have always insisted on justice for all the world over, because justice is indivisible. And justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. '
'Love is identified with a resignation of power and power with a denial of love. What is needed is a realisation that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anaemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.'
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inspirational and thought provoking read. A lovely lesson in oratory too.Favourite quotes:
a lesson for our politicians- ' I strongly feel that we must end not merely poverty among Negroes but poverty among white people. Like wise, I have always insisted on justice for all the world over, because justice is indivisible. And justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. '
'Love is identified with a resignation of power and power with a denial of love. What is needed is a realisation that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anaemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.'
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LibraryThing member bookworm12
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pivotal player in the fight for Civil Rights. This autobiography includes the story of his life written in his own words and pieces of his speeches.
I read the audiobook version which is read by LeVar Burton and includes audio clips of King giving some of his famous
It was heartbreaking to hear about King’s struggle with the continuous threats against himself and his family. Living in fear of imminent death affected his decisions. He writes about the bus strike, his time in jail, the march to Washington D.C. and more. I liked learning about his father and his wife’s role in the Civil Rights fight as well. Both played important roles in helping MLKJ become the man he needed to be to take on this fight.
One of the hardest parts of the Civil Rights movement was finding a balance between the goals of all the different groups involved. He was asked to support so many different causes and politicians and it was difficult to decide which ones to back. He also advocated nonviolence in a time when violence seemed to be the only answer. His courage was infectious and deciding not to fight gave others the guts to do the same.
BOTTOM LINE: I loved learning about King’s life and work, but the format made the book difficult. It switches back and forth between his biography and his speeches. Also, the audio version switches between LeVar Burton’s narration and MLKJ’s actual speeches, this is powerful but it changes the flow of the book significantly. A good read, but it’s not a true autobiography.
I read the audiobook version which is read by LeVar Burton and includes audio clips of King giving some of his famous
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speeches. It was powerful to hear the words from his own mouth, but sometimes those segments were harder to understand because of the quality of the recording and the clapping and cheering of the crowds.It was heartbreaking to hear about King’s struggle with the continuous threats against himself and his family. Living in fear of imminent death affected his decisions. He writes about the bus strike, his time in jail, the march to Washington D.C. and more. I liked learning about his father and his wife’s role in the Civil Rights fight as well. Both played important roles in helping MLKJ become the man he needed to be to take on this fight.
One of the hardest parts of the Civil Rights movement was finding a balance between the goals of all the different groups involved. He was asked to support so many different causes and politicians and it was difficult to decide which ones to back. He also advocated nonviolence in a time when violence seemed to be the only answer. His courage was infectious and deciding not to fight gave others the guts to do the same.
BOTTOM LINE: I loved learning about King’s life and work, but the format made the book difficult. It switches back and forth between his biography and his speeches. Also, the audio version switches between LeVar Burton’s narration and MLKJ’s actual speeches, this is powerful but it changes the flow of the book significantly. A good read, but it’s not a true autobiography.
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LibraryThing member Mrs.Ski
Awesome and phenomenal. I wanted to know more about Martin Luther King, Jr., having only learned a cursory amount in elementary, and this book was the perfect introduction. The book is a collection of his own words and presented in chronological order, which helps the reader understand not only how
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the Civil Rights Movement developed but also how King developed as well. He impressed me before but this book moved me - I cried on the last chapter even though he was killed forty-nine years ago. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mitchell_Bergeson_Jr
This is an amazing autobiography. Dr. King never actually authored an official autobiography in his lifetime. This book was an effort resulting from the King Paper Project. Mrs. Coretta Scott King gave Claiborne Carson an opportunity to edit the papers of her husband. Mr. Carson painstakingly
I wouldn't say this is an exhaustive biography. There are points where certain aspects of his life lacks depth. But, I must say, there are many moving passages in this book, and lessons we could still learn from today. Maybe more now than ever. And it is nice reading his story in his own words.
I think this should be required reading for all High School students. Recommended.
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sorted through massive amounts of Dr. Kings writings, videos, audio and sermons to piece together a chronological timeline of Dr. Kings life. I wouldn't say this is an exhaustive biography. There are points where certain aspects of his life lacks depth. But, I must say, there are many moving passages in this book, and lessons we could still learn from today. Maybe more now than ever. And it is nice reading his story in his own words.
I think this should be required reading for all High School students. Recommended.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1998
Physical description
416 p.; 6.25 inches
ISBN
0446676500 / 9780446676502