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The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Martin Luther King Jr. , Clayborne Carson (Editor)

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 9,305 ratings · 300 reviews

Using Stanford University's voluminous collection of archival material, including previously unpublished writings, interviews, recordings, and correspondence, King scholar Clayborne Carson has constructed a remarkable first-person account of Dr. King's extraordinary life. Beginning with his boyhood, the book portrays King's education as a minister, his ascendancy as a lead ...more

Paperback , 400 pages

Published January 1st 2001 by Grand Central Publishing (first published August 1986)

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Jan 20, 2014 Rowena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: african-american , autobiography

“To deprive man of freedom is to relegate him to the status of a thing, rather than elevate him to the status of a person.” - Dr. King.

Lincoln emancipated the slaves but more than 100 years later, the descendants of the slaves were still living under segregation and fear. They weren’t free in the true sense of the word. There were separate facilities for Blacks and Whites; separate drinking fountains, restaurants, schools, churches etc, there was also widespread poverty. There were men and women “To deprive man of freedom is to relegate him to the status of a thing, rather than elevate him to the status of a person.” - Dr. King.

Lincoln emancipated the slaves but more than 100 years later, the descendants of the slaves were still living under segregation and fear. They weren’t free in the true sense of the word. There were separate facilities for Blacks and Whites; separate drinking fountains, restaurants, schools, churches etc, there was also widespread poverty. There were men and women who could not take this lying down. Probably one of the most famous was Dr. King himself. Using the philosophy of non-violence, which he adopted from Mahatma Gandhi, he and many others began the struggle for civil rights.

Dr. King’s speeches and letters, which were printed all through the book, were phenomenal. The only one I’d heard/read thus far was his famous “I Have a Dream” speech but I must say his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was one of the best things I’ve ever read in my life.

“Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all it ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light injustice must be exposed with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion, before it can be cured.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr. - Letter from Birmingham Jail

The section depicting the Montgomery Bus Boycott was one of my favourite parts of the book. It started with Ms. Rosa Park’s refusal to move to the back of the bus, and set off a chain of events that were felt worldwide. It showed that if we all work in unity, great things can happen. Can we have a movement these days that has a similar impact?

What I liked about Dr. King’s character, apart from his humility and his desire for freedom for all, was his willingness to learn from people who may have radically different ideas from his own. Also, despite the fact that he was fighting for “Negro rights”, he did not attempt to paint White people as evil but acknowledged the ones who were allies for not being afraid to take a stand for civil rights.

“Of course there is one phase of liberalism that I hope to cherish always: its devotion to the search for truth, its insistence on an open and analytical mind, its refusal to abandon the best light of reason.”

Throughout the book I got the feeling that Dr. King knew he was going to be assassinated. I may be wrong of course but that’s definitely what it felt like.

When the end did come I couldn’t be more in awe of a man who felt so strongly for what he believed him that he sacrificed himself for the cause. Dr. King is a truly inspirational figure and I believe that this should be required reading for everyone.
...more

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Sep 05, 2014 Samadrita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Samadrita by: Rowena

Shelves: autobiographical-biography-memoir , racism-slavery-post-colonial , bygones-are-never-bygones , in-by-about-america , politics , gen-non-fiction-essays-critique , sociology , social-justice , nobel-laureates , cherished

I had to keep reminding myself that it's not the civil rights movement I am rating and reviewing, because the spectrum of legitimate excuses, let alone justifications, which could explain the withholding of a star or two is rather limited. It comes as a kick to the gut every time a young, unarmed Clifford Glover or a Travyon Martin or a Michael Brown is shot for no valid reason and the realization sinks in that the process of integration which was initiated by Lincoln some 150+ years ago and fur ...more

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Jan 23, 2014 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Brian by: Rowena

Shelves: ruard_referred

I am not certain, fifty years later, that White America can really appreciate what Martin Luther King, Jr. did for this country. Beyond the necessary needed to be done for the African-American population, it is difficult - impossible, really - to imagine how much our nation would have further suffered had MLK not been the one to lead the charge for change. As a middle-class white man in 2014 would I have been able to relate to a militant, angry, disenfranchised black man/woman willing to kill or
I am not certain, fifty years later, that White America can really appreciate what Martin Luther King, Jr. did for this country. Beyond the necessary needed to be done for the African-American population, it is difficult - impossible, really - to imagine how much our nation would have further suffered had MLK not been the one to lead the charge for change. As a middle-class white man in 2014 would I have been able to relate to a militant, angry, disenfranchised black man/woman willing to kill or die for an improvement in his/her world had MLK not preached - and lived by example - a course of non-violent yet aggressive resistance to the unjust status quo? What would life be like in a 2014 America rife with two races at war - a land that might not look too different from a country today brutalized by sectarian strife? If a 50 year course of escalating violence, bombings, retaliations and continual reprisals had happened, what else could occur other than Perpetual Other Hatred? Reading this book made me realize how very close we were to this reality. MLK didn't save a race, he saved a nation, and perhaps the world.

A social movement that only moves people is merely a revolt. A movement that changes both people and institutions is a revolution. MLK's goals may have been lofty, but he understood that to eat the elephant you must do so a teaspoon at a time. Mistakes and mis-steps yielded fast learnings, and as a Christian philosopher of the soul he always was certain to allow his sensitive filters to absorb the fundamentals of what makes us human, black or white, and then to assimilate that understanding into becoming a better person. And leading others to understand the same.

This wonderful book was carefully created by Clayborne Carson, a Stanford University academian that focused specifically on compiling the narrative history of MLK in King's own words, taken from countless documents and primary source material. I am not certain that had MLK lived to be 100 that he would have (re)written this portion of his life any better. His original words, presented in historicaly chronological context, show his maturity as a leader, an author and an agent of change.

I wish that this book was required reading in every American school. William Vollmann first pointed me to this text, and then friend Rowena, but honestly - I should have read more of MLK long ago. I am proud to count him as a hero - and I want to understand (and learn from his example) how to be a non-violent positive agent of change. ...more

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May 13, 2012 Minzi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Best.Book.Ever. The chapter ' Letters from Birmingham Jail' is the most compelling thing I've ever read. Dr King was the real deal. I realize this is not a 'comprehensive' autobiography, meaning it was not intentionally written as one, the King family but Dr. Clayborne Carson in charge of the King Papers and he did a great job. On finishing this book, I e mailed Dr. Carson at Stanford University - it was a Saturday - and I had a response in 5 minutes. A very humble response to my overly gushing ...more

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Jul 14, 2014 Harrison rated it 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I own the physical book of this, but I consumed it via its Grammy-winning audiobook instead. Why?
1. It's narrated by LeVar Burton, the former host of Reading Rainbow--there's a reason kids listened to him and wished they knew how to read, and it's because he makes whatever he's saying jump to life.
2. It's peppered with clips (or full recordings) of numerous speeches by Dr. King himself. Some you've doubtless heard before, like his "I have a dream" speech or even his "I've been to th Disclosure: I own the physical book of this, but I consumed it via its Grammy-winning audiobook instead. Why?
1. It's narrated by LeVar Burton, the former host of Reading Rainbow--there's a reason kids listened to him and wished they knew how to read, and it's because he makes whatever he's saying jump to life.
2. It's peppered with clips (or full recordings) of numerous speeches by Dr. King himself. Some you've doubtless heard before, like his "I have a dream" speech or even his "I've been to the mountaintop" address, but some you likely have not--his speech at the rally before the start of the Montgomery bus boycott is a moving example. In all cases, these words take new meaning when put into the context of King's life, the progress of his actions, and of his thoughts.

In modern America, Dr. King has a mythical quality surrounding him: some in my generation are liable to see his work as merely inevitable, having never known an America divided de jure by segregation. To the young student of civil rights, this narrative of King's life, his development and his impact as a civil rights leader is truly fresh, revealing with gripping immediacy the struggle at each step of the journey, from Montgomery to Albany to Salem to Chicago and beyond.

And yet, even to those who are well versed in the civil rights movement, who can name prominent figures like Roy Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth or Bull Connor, there is still a depth of detail into King's personal development that speaks directly to mainline questions of ethics, morality, and the human condition.

For example, early in his development at Morehouse College (where he enrolled at the age of 15!) King faced a dilemma squaring his religious upbringing and belief with intellectual rigor and modern sciences. Guided by the models of Dr. Benjamin Mays, president of Morehouse, and Rev. George Kelsey, prominent African American theologian, King came to square these influences, becoming a man both of great intellect, and unshakable faith. This internal dialogue of his is profound, and is of great value to any student who asks such questions.

Another moment of interest is the conflict between King's devotion to the principles of non-violence and the ideologies of other leaders like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael. I never even considered how MLK might feel about the notion of "black power" but the result is fascinating, and was another highlight of this story.

Later in his life, King became an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, and this chapter grapples with bedrock questions about the role of US military might in the global community, the growth of the military-industrial complex, the conflict between solving domestic problems and engaging military actions abroad, and numerous other ethical dilemmas that have emerged in the globalized world. He roots the problem to materialism in a fascinating way, and one that is moving.

I cried at the end of this book, gripped by the passion, the faith and the mission of Dr. King's life and message. Yes, it's easy to let MLK day pass with a "gee he was a good guy" attitude, but to learn more about him is a truly enriching pursuit, and this book is an excellent introduction to a full life. Please listen to this audiobook. ...more

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Mar 13, 2015 Rosa Ramôa rated it 4 of 5 stars

***
"Eu também sou vítima de sonhos adiados, de esperanças dilaceradas, mas, apesar disso, eu ainda tenho um sonho, porque a gente não pode desistir da vida".
(Martin Luther King)
***

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Jan 16, 2012 Adam Wiggins rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is not quite a true autobiography, but rather a collection of King's writings and speeches throughout his life, edited and assembled by a third party. I found this disappointing because it lacked the benefit of hindsight perspective that a biographer could have brought, but also doesn't necessarily have the personal tone and thesis of an autobiography.

I listened to this in audio form, which included many recordings of King's sermons and speeches. This gives a firsthand glimpse at his fantas ...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Jeremy Perron rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. is an incredible work; however one needs to remember that it is not a real autobiography. Like The Autobiography of Malcolm X, it was written after he died. It was assembled by the editor, Clayborne Carson, who went over King's papers both public and personnel and edited his work into a biographical format. The book received the endorsement of Coretta Scott King in 1998. The book is a brilliant piece of literature. Carson is careful to let the reader ...more

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May 08, 2012 Sandy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Carson takes some liberties adopting an "autobiography" construct. By using the first person singular, the author makes the subject of his book seem, for example, more defensive when Dr. King decided not to remain in jail awaiting trial instead of remaining true to the nonviolent direct action tenet of demonstrating civil disobedience by remaining incarcerated. The story does benefit from this personal perspective as King explores his religion, his career choices, his opposition to Viet Nam and ...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. gives an overview of the major movements in King's life, from his childhood, up until his death. Although the book is written in King's own words, the book is actually a compilation of his various writings: essays, sermons, speeches, letters, etc. Because of his untimely death, King was not able to write his own autobiography. King's wife enlisted the historian of Stanford University (Clayborne Carson) to go through King's extensive writings to put so ...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not knowing much about Martin Luther King Jnr this gave me a good grounding in his philosophy of non violence and the political and social conditions he was seeking to change during his lifetime. It's very well put together and I could believe that he was actually narrating it. The author has done a brilliant job of pulling his writings together and coming up with a rounded biography of one of the greatest leaders of the civil rights movement.

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Feb 28, 2014 Nii Lamptey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobiography

Martin makes Christianity attractive.
He's somebody to model a life after.

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Sep 14, 2014 Ashok Thirunavukarasu rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King Jr., Clayborne Carson is an exceptional read – it isn’t just a book about an individual, but of an entire movement, and its people behind it, about each man & woman and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I would really recommend this book to my friends + family.

That being said,Linah (a friend who asked me to name three things I took from the book), here are the top 3 things I took away from the book:

1 The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King Jr., Clayborne Carson is an exceptional read – it isn’t just a book about an individual, but of an entire movement, and its people behind it, about each man & woman and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I would really recommend this book to my friends + family.

That being said,Linah (a friend who asked me to name three things I took from the book), here are the top 3 things I took away from the book:

1) Stand up for what you believe in – even if every soul you know is against you. It was inspiring to read of all the people who stood up for what they believed in: Rosa Park, Malone Jones, Dr. King himself, especially his stand on Vietnam.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in a moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. king

I was inspired by the guts people had. Often, am a little embarrassed in my self because I often shy away from confrontation, and am easily intimated by less severe things, i.e., like standing up for my own views in an engineering conference.

2) Always try to understand others, and help others. In a lot of instances, it is easier to put blame on somebody else then genuinely reflect on the situation. This may be with our friends, but it may also mean trying to understand the plea of a group of people.

A bit like the riots in Watts, Los Angeles, it was more comforting to dismiss the violence, looting, and rioters as thugs - not worthy of much attention, but Dr. King showed us the important for going further so to truly address the root cause, and more important move forward.

3) Understand your privileges: because of people like Dr. King, life has been made better for some of us. Still, we see so much poverty, inequality and injustice around us. So I took this: we should reflect, and accept our own privileges and be conscious of those who weren’t as fortunate as us. ...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Carla rated it 5 of 5 stars

In school we listened to and read some of Martin Luther King's speeches and in recent years I had read a sermon or two of his, but that was the breadth of my experience with his work. Having now read the autobiography, I think it should be required reading in high schools.

As many reviewers have mentioned, it is a little strange to call it an autobiography. However, there is so much first hand accounts that I don't really have a problem with it. I don't think that the editor, Clayborne Carson ste In school we listened to and read some of Martin Luther King's speeches and in recent years I had read a sermon or two of his, but that was the breadth of my experience with his work. Having now read the autobiography, I think it should be required reading in high schools.

As many reviewers have mentioned, it is a little strange to call it an autobiography. However, there is so much first hand accounts that I don't really have a problem with it. I don't think that the editor, Clayborne Carson steered the book in a way unbefitting to King.

The book gives you a thorough account of King's actions and involvement in the civil rights movement, as well as insight into his personal struggles. Two things really struck me about King's character throughout the book: his willingness to sacrifice and his strong faith in God. He (and his wife) were willing to sacrifice not only their time, efforts and resources but also their security in order to fight for civil rights. It doesn't seem that many Americans these days are willing to sacrifice much of anything for anything. The second aspect that struck me, his faith in God, is well-known. However, it was remarkable to read how he was constantly questioning himself, checking his motives and his intentions and realigning himself with God's will. His faith and his actions resulting from that faith are stunningly humbling.

Another thing that I think is worth mentioning is the social power of the church. This account demonstrates how the church at one time really was a social engine in the community. Nearly all of King's civil rights movements were organized through and in the church or affiliates of the church. It's unclear to me if this would still be the case today. I think that generally, America's churches need to reconsider their missions, both in advocacy and community service.

The book ends with King's last speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop" and his last sermon "The Drum Major Instinct." You can't help but get chills reading these, as it seems that King has come to the realization that his days are numbered and has made peace with this and with God.

There are too many outstanding quotes to mention...just go read it! ...more

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Sep 28, 2013 Omar Halabieh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful:

1- "We cannot have an enlightened democracy with one great group living in ignorance. We cannot have a healthy nation with one-tenth of the people ill-nourished, sick, harboring germs of disease which recognize no color lines—obey no Jim Crow laws. We cannot have a nation orderly and sound with one group so ground down and thwarted that it is almost forced into unsocial attitudes and crime. We cannot be truly Christian peo ...more

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Sep 17, 2009 Thomas DeWolf rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction , social-justice

I've had this set of audio cassettes for several years. For the same reasons I read Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch I recently listened to these 6 cassettes on a long drive from our home in Oregon to my sister-in-law's wedding in San Diego and back.

LeVar Burton does a wonderful job of narration. Listening to the history of the Civil Rights movement through the experiences, writings, and speeches of Dr. King is well worth the time. The best aspect of listening to this book as opposed to read ...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Michael Paone rated it 5 of 5 stars

My experience with this book is hard to put into words. I'm convinced he was simply beyond the majority of people of his time, and fought hard against limited worldviews of religion, politics, and human existence, from the standpoint of spirit. From the book you get a great sense of how he is able to (and struggles to) communicate his vision to all levels of people -- from ethnocentric segregationists, to complacent / fatalistic faith leaders, to black nationalist defectors, and everyone in betw ...more

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Mar 23, 2015 Liz Echavarria rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Must Read

An inspirational well written autobiography that recreates the times and struggle of the civil rights movement as well as, impressively captures the essence and feelings of Dr. King through its narrative and speeches. Every year we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday but I question if many of us from this generation really understand who is Dr. King and the significant contribution he made to civil rights through his nonviolent movement for change for the downtrotten poor, fro ...more

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Jan 17, 2015 Volkert rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished listening to the audiobook version of The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which includes rare recordings of speeches and sermons of Dr. King. The book was edited by Clayborne Carson, and read by Lavar Burton.

While I have admired Dr. King most of my life, and I have read various books and articles about him, I had never taken the time to devour this great autobiography. And while there would be advantages to reading the print version, such as being able to highlight and I just finished listening to the audiobook version of The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which includes rare recordings of speeches and sermons of Dr. King. The book was edited by Clayborne Carson, and read by Lavar Burton.

While I have admired Dr. King most of my life, and I have read various books and articles about him, I had never taken the time to devour this great autobiography. And while there would be advantages to reading the print version, such as being able to highlight and meditate on his many memorable quotes, the advantage of the audiobook is in hearing the voice, and feeling the spirit, of this great orator and leader of the civil rights movement, as well as one of the first leaders to speak out against the war in Vietnam.

Some of the many thoughts that ran through my mind as I listened were:

1. This young man, who won an oratorical contest in junior high, continued to follow his dream to be a public speaker. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to be a minister or an educator, but he continued to develop his craft from an early age.

2. He pursued an education, all the way through his PHD at Boston College, and he interacted with the great thinkers from throughout civilization. He became an articulate and well-read man, and continued to develop his mind throughout his life.

3. It was his commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ that caused him to pursue equality and freedom for all, not just black Americans, but poor whites, and eventually for the impoverished of other nations.

4. In spite of the fact that he was stabbed by a demented black woman early in his career, and that if he had sneezed his aorta might’ve been punctured and he might have died, he continued to press on.

5. In spite of the fact that he received many death threats, he continued to press on. In one of his final speeches, you can hear that he believed his end might be immanent, but that didn’t stop him from being a “drum major” for peace and righteousness.

6. He persisted in his belief in non-violence, even in the face of his fellow civil rights leaders who began moving toward “black power.”

7. He traveled to India to learn more about how to practice non-violence from Mahatma Gandhi, who led his nation to independence through non-violent means.

8. To this day there are people who distort the story of Martin Luther King, accusing him of things that simply are not true. Simply devouring this great autobiography, and coming to grips with his thoughts, his spirit, and his story, would do much to set the record straight.
...more

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Nov 19, 2014 Lawrence Auls rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: human-rights

What a powerful book, a moving tribute to a man who is thankfully recognized for his life's work, and yet can never get enough recognition.

This compilation of speeches and writings is an unusual format for an autobiography, and it paints a particularly moving picture of Martin Luther King, Jr the public man. His writing and rhetoric is outstanding - at once emotional and targeted.

I'm very interested to listen to the audio book - LeVar Burton was a great choice!

I highly recommend this book, parti ...more

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Jan 17, 2014 Dave Flores rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought that this was an excellent book to read and I'd recommend it to anybody who's interested in learning a bit more about MLK. It mainly covers his beliefs and achievements throughout the civil rights movement. He was a great man with great determination and it's too bad he was assassinated in his fight for peace and equality.

The only complaint I have is that in some parts of the book it sort of left me hanging. It didn't tell me enough of what I wanted to know, I was sort of left with qu ...more

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Oct 14, 2011 GardenSinger rated it 2 of 5 stars

The first several chapters were very interesting and showed potential for the remainder of the book. However, I did notice quite a bit of redundancy throughout the book, which was slightly annoying and led to a feeling of disinterest. For a life filled with so many challenges, discoveries, setbacks, and triumphs...you'd think the book would be much more exciting/interesting. I just did not think the "real" MLK came out, but more of a stereotypical "good" and somewhat shallow MLK instead. I was d ...more

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Sep 27, 2015 Adrielle Pottle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favourites

I have read this Bio three times now and it just keeps getting better. It is inspiring to read that one man's passion can bring about such change. Not only that, he was human! He was not flawless. I connected with the writing and the personality of Martin Luther King because he was not perfect but he stood by his convictions. He has and always will be someone I will aspire to be like.

I have learned so many things about the movement King was involved in from reading this that my mind boggles. The ...more

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Apr 23, 2014 Paul Barone rated it 5 of 5 stars

On 5 March 1964 Martin Luther King Jr. along with Kentucky civil rights leaders, led a 10,000-person march up Capitol Avenue in Frankfort, Kentucky towards the Kentucky capitol. The marchers were urging for the passage of a public accommodations bill that had been introduced in January to the Kentucky House of Representatives. The bill, much like the one that was proposed by President Kennedy a year earlier, would end segregation in Kentucky in the area of public accommodations such as retail st ...more

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Jul 07, 2014 Don King rated it 4 of 5 stars

An amazing, eye opening story of the life of a great man. His vision for the what could be, his eloquence in explaining what should be and his persistence in bringing it about are incredible. The final chapter, with his last speech where he foreshadows his own death the following day is chilling. It's amazing to me that, at least in Canada, I never heard one thing about MLK in school. How can it be that the leader of one of the most important movements of our time could be ignored by our school ...more

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Oct 22, 2014 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biographies-memoirs

Somewhat repetitive, because this is more a compilation of lectures and surveys than it is an autobiography (hence Carson is listed as the author). Still, it is a very good collection and provides a lot of insight into King's points of view on more than just theology or civil rights, but international affairs. Even if you're not a King fan, this educates you a lot about the Civil Rights movement, which from my point of view is terrifyingly recent, which makes it all the more important to be fami ...more

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May 27, 2015 Zaid added it

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life had become a fixed part of American mythology for years prior to this. Indeed, to many African Americans whose rights he helped expand, to many other minorities whose lives his victories touched, and to many whites who welcomed the changes his leadership brought, King's life seemed mythological even as he lived it. He is celebrated as a hero not only for the concrete legislation he enabled, but for his articulation of dreams and hopes shared by many during an era o Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life had become a fixed part of American mythology for years prior to this. Indeed, to many African Americans whose rights he helped expand, to many other minorities whose lives his victories touched, and to many whites who welcomed the changes his leadership brought, King's life seemed mythological even as he lived it. He is celebrated as a hero not only for the concrete legislation he enabled, but for his articulation of dreams and hopes shared by many during an era of upheaval and change.

The episodes immediately following met with less success, but nonetheless provided King with the opportunity to refine his protest strategies. Then, in 1963, King and the SCLC joined a campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, to end segregation there and to force downtown businesses to employ blacks. Peaceful protests were met by fire-hoses and attack-dogs wielded by local police. Images of this violence, broadcast on national news, provoked outrage, and this reaction created a political atmosphere in which strong federal civil rights legislation could gain favor and passage, and the next year President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Meanwhile the SCLC, under King, was repeating the tactics of Birmingham in Selma, Alabama, this time for the sake of African American voter registration. Once again, images of the police brutality directed at the protest enabled the passage of federal legislation, this time the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The community of black activists felt that these two major victories marked the limit of what gains could be made politically, and thus after 1965 King began to focus on blacks' economic problems. His strategies and speeches concentrated increasingly on class as well as race, and addressed the United States as a whole. King had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and this recognition encouraged him to broaden his scope: by the time of his death, he was speaking out virulently against the Vietnam War, and was organizing a Poor People's March on Washington.When King was assassinated in 1968, the nation shook with the impact. Riots broke out in over one hundred American cities. King was almost immediately sanctified by the white-controlled media, which, however, in its coverage of his accomplishments, also neglected the radicalism of his final three years. Instead his contemporaries focused (as we continue to focus today) on the spirit and the accomplishments of the middle of King's career. For many born after his death, he is known best for the "I Have a Dream" speech, which reflects this spirit, and which he delivered in 1963 at the height of his fame. The federal holiday commemorates this King, who articulated the progressive, human hope of the early 1960s.

I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in Martin Luther King because he was a great man and his story must be heard. I would also recommend this book to Middle school students because it doesn’t have a very complex vocabulary. I would also recommend this book to teachers because it is a very interesting novel that they will definitely enjoy. ...more

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May 16, 2015 Adrise Elem rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book I choose to read was the autobiography of martin luther king written by Dr. Martin luther king. This book took place in the 1960s when racism still existed.It was also about a man who belived that all men should be created equal no matter what race they are.Also Martin Luther king was assignated because he recited his speech "I have a dream".

I chose this book because I knew I could learn about what happened back when Martin Luther King and why he died.My mother also told to read the boo ...more

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May 19, 2015 Jacinda EVHS Chen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I felt this book really put together what Martin Luther King Jr. was thinking and how his life was during his life. From the time he was born in 1929 to his assassination in 1968, he was a very peaceful man. However, because of his rights movement, he was the object of much hate and bitterness. One hater even bombed his house. He and his family were willing to give their lives to their cause. King Jr. inspired thousands to face against the unfair racial discrimination as well as other rights suc ...more

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Mar 24, 2014 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: couldn-t-get-through-it

*continues to beat dead horse* I know this has been mentioned a few times so I apologize for my redundancy but I take major issue with this being called an autobiography. I'm aware the author got Ms. Coretta Scott King's approval but still. I'm not saying he didn't do his research but if pouring over documents and speaking to a family member about the deceased is the new standard for penning an autobiography then ok...I'm gonna write one too...I'll start looking over private letters and corresp ...more

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About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. King was a Baptist minister, one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956) and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957), serving as its first president. His ef ...more

More about Martin Luther King Jr....

Books by Martin Luther King Jr.

A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

I Have a Dream / Letter from Birmingham Jail

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