Book Description
Presents a brief look at the life of Martin Luther King Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good jobq
makes u think about the whole thing. i haven't finished it yet but it has gotten my attention. i am drawn in. very well written informative and shows a different side to the story. ... Read more

Book Description
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideas--his call for racial equality, his faith in the ultimate triumph of justice, his insistence on the power of nonviolence to bring about a major transformation of American society--are as vital and timely as ever. The wealth of his writings, both published and unpublished, is now preserved in this authoritative, chronologically arranged multi-volume edition. Volume III chronicles the Montgomery bus boycott of 1956 and Dr. King's emergence as a public figure who attracted international attention. Included is the galvanizing speech he gave on the first day of the bus boycott, transcribed from a fragile tape recording and published here in its entirety for the first time. Also included are his remarks to an angry crowd after the bombing of his home and his powerful speech at the 1956 NAACP convention. King's words from this period reveal the evolution of his distinctive blend of Christian and Gandhian ideas and show his appreciation of the broader significance of the Montgomery movement, a protest that revealed the "longing for human dignity that motivates oppressed people all over the world." The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a testament to a man whose life and teaching continue to have a profound influence not only on Americans, but on people of all nations.
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers Project at Stanford University was established by The Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., in 1984. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Another book on MLK?Yes -- and perhaps the best one yet
I reviewed this volume for the Southern Communication Journal and found it to be one of the most comprehensive historical compilations to address the American Civil Rights movement.Kudos to Carson for undertaking such anambitious project.In an age of sensationalism and revisionist histories,Carson and the rest of the King Papers Project have shown that accuratedocumentation, rather than speculation, yields priceless insight into Kingand the Montgomery bus protest, a key event in the American Civil Rightsmovement.

This volume combines letters (to and from King), speeches,newspaper articles, and other texts to illustrate the King's depth.We seehis religious upbringing, as evidenced in the influences of Ghandi andChristianity; his talent as a minister and an administrator, suggested bythe National Baptist Convention's invitation to serve them as theirpresident; and his intellectual aptitudes, shown in the strategy heemployed in the Montgomery protest.His decision to move towardincremental change (with full equality as a long-term end) is a majorreason why the Montgomery movement succeeded.Had he opted for anall-or-nothing, now-or-never approach, he would have encountered greaterresistance, and the movement might have ended while achieving little or noprogress.Instead,he lobbied for minor changes in an effort to gainmomentum for the larger movement -- an approach dismissed by more radicalmembers of the African-American community.For its insights into King thepreacher, King the scholar, King the strategic activist, this text is avaluable addition to the legacy of arguably the most influential Americanof the last century -- and likely the most influential one never to serveas U.S. President. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

this book rocks
Ms. Manheimer is able to tackle delicate and interesting problems regarding Dr. King with an insightful and honest tone. This book reads like a novel but I came away from it with a new knowledge and appreciation for Dr. King's work. I highly reccomned it. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work as a champion of civil rights was largely realized through his marvelous abilities as a speaker and writer. This fourth volume of the Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project chronicles his writings from the years 1957 and 1958 and highlights the end of the historic Montgomery bus boycott, King's trip to Ghana on the eve of its independence, his monumental "Pilgrimage for Freedom" address, and his "Advice for Living" column for Ebony magazine. It also details the creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, King's White House meeting with President Eisenhower, and the release of his first book, Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. Edited by Clayborne Carson, director of the project at Stanford University, the writings were culled from 6,000 documents, including speeches, sermons, correspondence, published writings, and unpublished manuscripts.

Along with their historical significance, these writings reveal the human side of King as well. In a sermon delivered in Birmingham, Alabama, around the time of several bombings in black neighborhoods, a crestfallen King asked a haunting question: "Where is God while hundreds and thousands of his children suffer merely because they are desirous of having freedom and human dignity?" In his acceptance speech for the NAACP Spingarn Medal in Detroit, he proclaimed, "This is a great time to be alive in America. We stand today on the threshold of the most constructive period of our nation's history.... It is one of the ironies of present history that the Negro, in his struggle for freedom, is no longer struggling for himself alone, but he is really struggling to save America." In a letter, he cites Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau as intellectual influences. There are also interesting correspondences between King and Harry Belafonte, Elijah Muhammad, C.L.R. James, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many others, making this an excellent reference work to this complex warrior for peace. --Eugene Holley Jr. Book Description
Acclaimed by Ebony magazine as "one of those rare publishing events that generate as much excitement in the cloistered confines of the academy as they do in the general public," The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. chronicles one of the twentieth century's most dynamic personalities and one of the nation's greatest social struggles. King's call for racial justice and his faith in the power of nonviolence to engender a major transformation of American society is movingly conveyed in this authoritative multivolume series.
In Volume IV, with the Montgomery bus boycott at an end, King confronts the sudden demands of celebrity while trying to identify the next steps in the burgeoning struggle for equality. Anxious to duplicate the success of the boycott, he spends much of 1957 and 1958 establishing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. But advancing the movement in the face of dogged resistance, he finds that it is easier to inspire supporters with his potent oratory than to organize a mass movement for social change. Yet King remains committed: "The vast possibilities of a nonviolent, non-cooperative approach to the solution of the race problem are still challenging indeed. I would like to remain a part of the unfolding development of this approach for a few more years."
King's budding international prestige is affirmed in March 1957, when he attends the independence ceremonies in Ghana, West Africa. Two months later his first national address, at the "Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom," is widely praised, and in June 1958, King's increasing prominence is recognized with a long-overdue White House meeting. During this period King also cultivates alliances with the labor and pacifist movements, and international anticolonial organizations. As Volume IV closes, King is enjoying the acclaim that has greeted his first book, Stride Toward Freedom, only to suffer a near-fatal stabbing in New York City. ... Read more

Book Description
Raised in the bosom of the church, as both his father and his grandfather were preachers, it seemed almost preordained that Martin Luther King, Jr., would enter a seminary. Instead, he became the leading voice of his people, a man of profound conviction and courage.

As a young man, King was deeply influenced by theories of social activism and the religious life. These forces shaped him to become the leader of the civil rights movement. The teachers at Crozer Theological Seminary exposed King to the two thinkers who left the greatest impression on him--Mahatma Gandhi and Karl Barth. A precocious leader, King bloomed intellectually and socially and was valedictorian of his graduating class. Not surprisingly, he chose to continue his studies in theology and completed his doctorate at Boston University. By the time Dr. King graduated and accepted a position with a small church in Montgomery, Alabama, he had fallen in love with and married Coretta Scott, a music student at the New England Conservatory.

It was in Montgomery that Rosa Parks, the secretary for the local NAACP, was arrested for refusing to move to the back of one of the city's public buses. Parks's arrest outraged the black community and thrust King, a relative newcomer, into the forefront of the growing civil rights movement.

The distinguished historian V. P. Franklin gives us possibly the most succinct profile of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to date. Concise, factually rich, and incisive, Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals the roots of King's dream for the future of race relations in America. Franklin's treatment reveals the public and the personal lives behind the man.

He sought justice at a time when justice was a dream, and he fought hatred where it had grown for generations. Martin Luther King, Jr., forced open the nation's arms to all its citizens as he led the cause of civil rights in the 1950s and '60s. Distinguished professor V. P. Franklin follows King the man up the long road to the mountaintop, from the streets of Rosa Parks's Montgomery and "Bloody Sunday" on Selma's Pettus Bridge, to the Nobel Peace Prize and his ultimate sacrifice for African-American equality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I felt like I was actually there with him
When I first began to read the first chapter of this book I was looking at the dates in the book and realized that they were from not that long ago it was recent that this happened.I felt sorr for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr when he had to repeat school because of his lack of knowledge.The parts that struck cords with me is that he was playing a major role in history and he could not be with his wife and cherish the moments of their child being born because he was always doing something with the civil roght movement.He wasw never at home to be with his kids and when he did come home it was not that much.He also was put in jail a lot for things that he felt was right and there were a lot of people who were trying to hold him down from doing his job.But this is a really great book and I encourage anyone to read it to see what we had to go through just to ride on the bus and to vote amd to get our right we were denied after slavery was abolished.But this is a really good book for a person to read if they are doing a report on him.

V.P. Franklin looks deep.
Franklin looks deep into the life of the late Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.His insightful looks on the full compass of his life makes for an extraordinary piece of work.Never before mentions of differentaspects of King's life makes this biography a must read for all who haveloved and adored King. ... Read more

Book Description
On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people came to the nation's capital to speak out against segregation and to demand equal rights for everyone and to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. This book captures the spirit of this landmark day and brings Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech to vivid life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

GREAT BOOK
I am a second grade teacher.I use this book every year.I use it around his birthday, during Black History Month, and during our Language Arts unit on Courage.I love the part, and photograph,about the man that rollerskated from Chicago to see Dr. King.I think it protrays how important Dr. King was to people around the nation.This year I did somthing special.I work in Juvenile Hall with 15-16 year old males.Before I showed them the video of the speech, I had reveiwed some books about him, but I read this one aloud to them.It is a simple book that has a powerful message.The combination of drawings and photographs bring together this message.

Excellent Look and Feel to the book
I recently stumbled onto this book at a public library and I have to say I'm very impressed.Martin Luther King and the March on Washington is an excellent work that moves at a good pace for readers of any age. Going to the March on Washington to see King speak must have been a life-changing event that would positively impact anyone who attended.However, for those of us who were not there, or are too young to have been able to go, we are fortunate enough to feel like we are able to experience the magnitude of the event through the books pacing and sense of history. The author places us right in the moment and you can't help but feel like you are on the steps of the mall in Washington, surrounded by scores of people watching a critical moment in American history. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Celebrated Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson is the director and editor of the Martin Luther King Papers Project; with thousands of King's essays, notes, letters, speeches, and sermons at his disposal, Carson has organized King's writings into a posthumous autobiography. In an early student essay, King prophetically penned: "We cannot have an enlightened democracy with one great group living in ignorance.... 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." Such statements, made throughout King's career, are skillfully woven together into a coherent narrative of the quest for social justice. The autobiography delves, for example, into the philosophical training King received at Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University, where he consolidated the teachings of Afro-American theologian Benjamin Mays with the philosophies of Locke, Rousseau, Gandhi, and Thoreau. Through King's voice, the reader intimately shares in his trials and triumphs, including the Montgomery Boycott, the 1963 "I Have a Dream Speech," the Selma March, and the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. In one of his last speeches, King reminded his audience that "in the final analysis, God does not judge us by the separate incidents or the separate mistakes that we make, but by the total bent of our lives." Carson's skillful editing has created an original argument in King's favor that draws directly from the source, illuminating the circumstances of King's life without deifying his person. --Eugene Holley Jr. Amazon.com Audiobook Review
By weaving together an unprecedented amount of material, including Dr. King's books, articles, essays, personal letters, and unpublished manuscripts, Clayborne Carson (historian, documentarian, and director of the King Papers Project) has crafted an excellent production that represents the unique medium of audiobooks at its very best. With the effective and engaging narration of actor Levar Burton as a foundation, the tapes provide understanding and insight into this important religious and political leader's powerful convictions. Original music from the civil rights movement, plus rare recordings of Dr. King's moving speeches and sermons, help create an inspiring portrait of one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. (Running time: 9 hours, 6 cassettes) --George LaneyBook Description
Celebrated Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson is the director and editor of the Martin Luther King Papers Project; with thousands of King's essays, notes, letters, speeches, and sermons at his disposal, Carson has organized King's writings into a posthumous autobiography. In an early student essay, King prophetically penned: "We cannot have an enlightened democracy with one great group living in ignorance.... 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." Such statements, made throughout King's career, are skillfully woven together into a coherent narrative of the quest for social justice. The autobiography delves, for example, into the philosophical training King received at Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University, where he consolidated the teachings of Afro-American theologian Benjamin Mays with the philosophies of Locke, Rousseau, Gandhi, and Thoreau. Through King's voice, the reader intimately shares in his trials and triumphs, including the Montgomery Boycott, the 1963 "I Have a Dream Speech," the Selma March, and the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. In one of his last speeches, King reminded his audience that "in the final analysis, God does not judge us by the separate incidents or the separate mistakes that we make, but by the total bent of our lives." Carson's skillful editing has created an original argument in King's favor that draws directly from the source, illuminating the circumstances of King's life without deifying his person. --Eugene Holley Jr.Download Description
A professor of history and the noted author and editor of several books on the civil rights struggle, Dr. Clayborne Carson was selected by the estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to edit and publish Dr. King's papers. Drawing upon an unprecedented archive of King's own words--including unpublished letters and diaries, as well as video footage and recordings--Dr. Carson creates an unforgettable self-portrait of Dr. King. In his own vivid, compassionate voice, here is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as student, minister, husband, father, and world leader . . . as well as a rich, moving chronicle of a people and a nation in the face of powerful--and still resonating--change. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

The Radicalism of Martin Luther King, Jr. is Revealed
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very brave man, an unyielding pacifist---and a radical leftist who greatly damaged the United States.He literally argued that his own country carried out a racist and imperialist war against the Vietnamese. MLK believed in affirmative action programs and socialism.He pushed the myth that right-wing conservatives assassinated John F. Kennedy instead of the committed Communist, Lee Harvey Oswald (Camelot and the Cultural Revolution: How the Assassination of John F. Kennedy Shattered American Liberalism).And no, you don't have to take my word for it.Clayborne Carson has put together the hard evidence.King was also a plagiarist who didn't hesitate to steal other authors' writings.Nonetheless, we know for sure that these essays were at least approved by him.Many people who read MLK's approved texts for the first time will be appalled. This is especially true for those who reject the morally relativistic notion that a few lies on behalf of a noble cause can ever be justified.

There is another book you should read. Theodore Pappas released his own meticulously researched Plagiarism and The Culture War : The Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Other Prominent Americans only a few months earlier than Carson's. It turns out that MLK's PhD was not earned. At best, he was a pseudointellectual. Hard core left-wingers like Stanley Levinson and Andrew Young took full advantage of his shallowness.Americans need to learn the truth about Rev. King. The fact that these two books were published roughly ten years ago is not relevant.You should put them on your must read list for 2008.Truth is always more valuable than even the most well meaning deceptions.

Really Enjoyed Reading the Book
I really enjoyed reading this book.The style of prose used by Dr. King is very easy to follow and flows very well.The book is also an inspiring example of how civil disobedience can change the world.

I also am glad that he did not sneeze. (If you read the book you will know the context of this statement).

The only reason that I did not give the book a 5 star rating is I thought that the editor could have added an addendum or chapter on the end of the book concerning the assassination of Dr King and how this affected the rest of the Civil Rights movement and the rest of the country as a whole.

But I would definetely recommend this book.

Nothing short of inspiring
I was excited to receive this book for my birthday, as I'd admired Martin Luther King Jr for a few years, but had to admit I didn't know much about him, or exactly what sacrifices he made. Although famous all over the world, he is probably not the first thing on the mind of most white Australian twenty-something females!



Basically, I knew of the 'I Have A Dream' speech and a few other wonderful quotes of his that I'd read on monuments dedicated to his journey that I photographed in Denver, Colorado. Other than this I felt a bit of a fraud for proclaiming to hero worship this man I knew so little about.



This book outlined the dedication that MLK had to the cause, along with the 'intellectual underpinnings of his wisdom' as one reviewer put it. This deeply intellectual angle made it a struggle at times for me to get through, but much like the uphill battle against racism, it was a journey well worth taking.



The last chapter was extremely sad and beautfully summed up the dedication to Christ and good that MLK worked tirelessly towards. This man was a true Christian in every sense of the word, tearing down at the cynicism I have built up towards Christianity over the years.



Martin Luther King Jr is a wonderful example to even intend to follow, one of God's most loyal children, and someone that I truly admire and respect.



Amen!

Accurate & Intructive but not the Full Picture
Reading Martin Luther King Jr.'s own words gives such insight into the man and the contribution he made to civil rights. Dr. King's commitment to such a noble cause and the sacrifices that he made truly make him a hero who should not be forgotten. The only shortcoming is so many things about a person's personal life are not easily seen in their speeches and letters and this is true of this compliation. It would be great to read a more extensive biography to "fill in the gaps" about his life.

A Must-Read for Every American
Clayborne Carson's representation of Dr. King's passionate, articulate vocation makes this book a bar-setter only rivaled by the books Martin himself published. The book gives a light recount of Dr. King's childhood, followed by a detailed description of his ministry of hope and efforts to stem the tide of racism and segregation in America. The only criticism I have for the book is that there is no audio tape in which the book is read by the King himself (it was, of course, written after Martin's death).

This book would make an excellent gift for recipients of all ages. I'm 16 and I found it to be extremely inspiring, simple, and yet so moving that I was often on the verge of joyful tears.

God Bless You All,
RSM
... Read more

Book Description
"This is the best compact biography of Martin Luther King available." - James R. Ralph, author of Northern Protest

Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? A successful reformer or a failed revolutionary? A maker of the movement or a product of it? In a powerful reinvestigation of both the man and the cause, this brilliant new biography deftly traces how King grew into his leadership role, and grew stronger in faith after 1965 as the movement itself weakened and the challenges deepened. Historian Peter Ling chronicles King's seven-year struggle to transfer successful leadership of the Montgomery Bus Boycott onto the national stage. He reveals the ambiguities and fragility of his nonviolent protest methods, even during their period of greatest apparent success (1963-1965), and celebrates King's, heroic, though failing efforts to develop nonviolence as a means of addressing ghetto inequalities and opposing America's involvement in Vietnam. By the time of his murder, Lings shows, King knew he was "going for broke," and developed more radical stances in the face of a strengthening right-wing counter-movement. Capturing the drama, irony, and pathos of King's life, this textured, accessible biography gives proper weight to the contentious final two years of King's life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Solid and Concise Biography
In his biography, Peter J Ling attempts to inform the reader about the book's subject in less than three hundred pages what other writers such as David Garrow described in books over twice the length. It is fair to say he has succeeded; the main incidents and themes of King's life are given a good and balanced treatment, such as the Montgomery bus boycotts, his stance on the Vietnam war, through to his assassination and its effect on the world.

Early on in the book, Ling quotes a fellow civil rights activist who claimed "Martin didn't make the movement, the movement made Martin". The whole book appears to be an attempt to assess that statement - of whether King really was the saviour and hero he is perceived as being today, or whether he was simply swept along in a media ride and has been immortalised since his early death. Although it is never explicitly stated, Ling appears to lean toward the latter argument, but never does so without denying King's greatness or without credible evidence.

Although the prose is well written and lucid, my only complaint would be that Ling does not seem to have the same passion for King's life that others who have covered the same topic, such as Stephen Oates and Michael Eric Dyson. He mentions throughout the book that biographies should not be trusted by those serious in studying history, because they tend to exaggerate the achievements of the individual. Perhaps that is why his love for the subject never completely shines through.

Whatever disagreements readers may have with it, it is a welcome addition to the King biography shelf because of its concise style and unbiased manner. A suitable book for students of King's life.


... Read more

Book Description
The story of the civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

My daughter loves this book
My five-year-old daughter was fascinated with this book even though it didn't include fairies, animals, or dinosaurs. I was very happy with the information they presented which gives some basic information about Dr. King while not treating his death in such a way that might overly upset sensitive children like mine. The illustrations are wonderfully done and my daughter looked them over carefully for a long time. It is a wonderful opportunity to launch more discussions about racism and the way we treat other people because of their gender, race, or religion.

martin--- DE
I LIKE THE STORY BECAUSE HE TOLD THE LIFE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY HIS FREINDS SAID THEY COULD NOT PLAY WITH HIM BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK.

AboutMartinLuther King,Jr --ga
MartinLutherKing , Jr wasbornin Atlalta , Goagia.He wasbornonJanuary15 , 1929.HeledtheMarchofWashingtononAugust28, 1964 andgavehisspeech.
THe book was really great.

king jr.--am
DR.king was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. He played football when he was a child.He couldn't play with his friends because he was black and they were white. He wanted to change this and changed the world.
I really like the book. He inspired me to keep the Golden Rule.

kj the king
DR.King was born in Alanta Gorgia. He liketoplayfootball &baseball. He played footballinhisbackyeard.Onedayhis friends couldn't play with him because he was black.He wanted to change this and changed the world. ... Read more

Book Description
The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. has become the definitive record of the most significant correspondence, sermons, speeches, published writings, and unpublished manuscripts of one of America's best-known advocates for peace and justice. Threshold of a New Decade, Volume V of the planned fourteen-volume series, illustrates the growing sophistication and effectiveness of King and the organizations he led while providing an unparalleled look into the surprising emergence of the sit-in protests that sparked the social struggles of the 1960s.
During this pivotal period of his career, King traveled to India in early 1959 to meet with Prime Minister Nehru and other associates of Mahatma Gandhi. After returning to Montgomery, King confronted the continuing ineffectiveness of his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) by demanding personnel changes and agreeing to relocate to Atlanta at the beginning of 1960. King's move took place just before African American students in the South reclaimed the energy of the Montgomery bus boycott with their bold sit-in protests, which King predicted would become "an integral part of the history which is reshaping the world, replacing a dying order with modern democracy." He was arrested in October after participating in a sit-in protest in Atlanta. His resulting imprisonment led presidential candidate John F. Kennedy to phone his sympathies to King's wife, Coretta, a move many credit for providing the margin of victory in the close election of 1960. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Insightful...
Volume V provides an in-depth look at the sit-in protests of the early 1960's and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s trip to India. There are many unpublished letters to/from a variety of people-all adding insight to the psyche of Dr. King's non-violent struggle; and his late involvement in the 1960 election of John F. Kennedy. ... Read more

Book Description
One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history.

... Read more

Book Description
Rookie Readers actively engage young readers, encouraging language development, building fluency, and promoting independent reading. By targeting a skill, like being able to write and speak consonants, young readers are building fundamental reading skills with the help of fun, lively, colorfully illustrated stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Easy Reader!
This is a great simple book to use with beginning readers.It is great of ESOL students! I highly recommend the Rookie Reader series. ... Read more