Book Description
Reissued with a new cover in trade paperback format in the Newmarket "Words Of" series, this perennial classic—over 200,000 copies sold—belongs in every home, school and library. Throughout his brief life, Martin Luther King communicated vision, passion, and inspiration. He led millions of people in a nonviolent movement that shattered the system of segregation in the South, and at the age of 39 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his eloquent, passionate advocacy of civil and human rights. This timeless volume, authorized by the estate of Martin Luther King, includes highlights from the legendary civil rights leader's speeches, sermons, and writings selected by his wife Coretta Scott King, who contributes an impressive introduction on Dr. King's life and legacy. The stirring book contains approximately 120 quotations, focusing on seven areas of concern: The Community of Man, Racism, Civil Rights, Justice and Freedom, Faith and Religion, Nonviolence, and Peace. Also included is a detailed chronology of Dr. King's life and its involvement in the civil rights movement in our time.

"I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and justice for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build up." —Martin Luther King, Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

deeply moving
I was perusing through my bookshelf today, and stumbled across a very old edition of this book, "The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr."
Well I'd always noticed it here and there - but today I actually read it.

It's fantastic. It's something else. He was a genius before his time - yet he managed to stand up, at the right time.

Each excerpt makes you think. Very deep and moving.

Powerful. I highly recommend this book.

His fundamental commitment to unconditional love and unarmed truth
This book is a small compilation of quotes from Dr. King's writings and speeches.It's never a bad idea to honor the civil rights leaders and martyrs by reading literature that would again remind us of their struggle.
Through his words we will be reminded of how far we have come:
"I can foresee the Negro vote becoming consistently the decisive vote in national elections." -chapter on Justice and Freedom
Through his words we will be reminded of how far we haven't come:
"...wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." - chapter on Peace

In one sitting, you could read this book in its entirety.As benefactors of his sacrifice, we should spare a few moments of our time to reflect on Dr. King and his enduring legacy.

Small but effective collection of MLK's speeches
When looking for some words of tribute to use at a church function, I recalled the copy of the book sitting amongst others in my home library.No better orator could have been selected than the revered civil rights leader.My presentation went off without and hitch and for that, I thank Dr. King.

This collection is divided into ten sections, with notable commentary by Dr. King:

1.The Community of Man
2.Racism
3.Civil Rights
4.Justice and Freedom
5.Faith and Religion
6.Nonviolence
7.Peace
8."I've Been to the Mountain Top" (excerpt)
9."I Have a Dream" (excerpt)
10.Proclamation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by then-President Ronald Reagan

The book begins with a foreward by King's widow, Coretta, and ends with a chronology and sources of the works printed.

An excellent sampling of King's writings and ideas.
After having read quite abit by and About King over the years, I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they were new to King's philosophies and ideas or a veteran of the movement he helped to create within thiscountry and the world. ... 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
When Mrs. Conner's class learns about a great man, they discover their own dreams and hopes for a better world! ... Read more

Amazon.com
Leadership motivational speaker Donald T. Phillips, who has previously drawn organizational lessons for modern businesses from the careers of Abraham Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, turns to civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a role model. A discussion of the Montgomery bus boycott, for example, draws out such principles as "Set goals and create a plan of action" and "Involve the people." More effective as a self-help book for business than as a biography, it does provide a useful introduction to King's life.Book Description
Leadership motivational speaker Donald T. Phillips, who has previously drawn organizational lessons for modern businesses from the careers of Abraham Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, turns to civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a role model. A discussion of the Montgomery bus boycott, for example, draws out such principles as "Set goals and create a plan of action" and "Involve the people." More effective as a self-help book for business than as a biography, it does provide a useful introduction to King's life.Download Description
While the American Civil War formally ended slavery, it did not end segregation or racial discrimination. It took nearly 15 years of activism, led by the nonviolent movement organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to complete the transformation. The final result was the elimination of federal and state-sanctioned segregation and discrimination. This book chronicles the tenets of leadership that Dr. King practiced during the American Civil Rights Movement. From mastering the art of public speaking to persuading through love and nonviolence, from encouraging imaginative new solutions in changing times to preaching hope, optimism and the power of dreams, this study of Dr. King's leadership offers a definitive and inspiring modern-day example of leadership at its best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Exceptional narrative of a great leader
Donald T. Phillips does an exceptional job at narrating the life of the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He does an incredible job in tying in the aspects of Dr. King's life as a man, and activist together with the principals of Leadership.

He breaks down the book into 4 sections, that each details the start and end of the American Civil Rights movement. Phillips does an amazing job at chronicling the events that most shaped the philosophy of Dr. King.

I truly enjoyed this book because it helped me realize that it is possible for me to achieve my goals using the same techniques that Dr. King used. The book does a great job at outlining how a normal person can create change the way Dr. King did. Whether you live in turbulent times like those in which the Civil Rights took place or not.

I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position to those who aspire to be leaders, but mostly to those with a goal to succeed. The knowledge you will acquire with this book is invaluable to future successes.

The book targets all, but I think it specifically aims to inspire African- Americans especially those who wish to be in leadership positions. The book in general is a great read for businesses and for groups in general. It informs the audience about the dynamics of groups and how to work through the problems that groups face.

It helps inform leaders as to the advantages and disadvantages of being a leader. Overall the book is a great read. And you will truly enjoy it.

A must read for aspiring leaders
Donald Phillips did a wonderful job of telling the story of Martin Luther King Jr. from his childhood to his death, and connecting it all to a marvelous leadership style.Being a student of leadership studies and a fan of Martin Luther King Jr., I chose this book as a study of both subjects.Having read it, I have to say I learned more about leadership from this book than any other I have read.However, I am no longer a fan of MLK......... he is now a hero of mine.

As Donald Phillips points out, for every major turning point in American history, creative leaders - right for the times and uniquely suited to the task - assume the mantle of leadership.Donald Phillips not only describes how MLK ended up at the mantle, but how and why he was the right person for the job.

MLK's movement is not the same civil rights movement being pushed by the self-serving, so-called, activists today. Read this book, you will learn about a true leader and what a true leader is. It is easy reading and inspiring.Highly recommended.

Insightful!
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech was voted the most electrifying public address of the twentieth century. It takes some kind of a leader to give that kind of a speech. Donald T. Phillips presents the ideals of leadership that Martin Luther King Jr. followed in an overview of the history of the civil rights struggle. Phillips describes the techniques King used at various stages of the civil rights battle. He also shares King's comments on leadership. Many of the principles will be quite familiar: listen to learn, lead by being led, awaken direct action, encourage creativity and involve the people. However, the book is especially interesting when it demonstrates how King put these principles into practice. This well-organized, well-written book is clear, direct, and easy to read. While it is written for the general public (especially for African-Americans and those interested in civil rights), we [...] find this book interesting for all managers and executives, particularly those who like to learn the lessons of history.

An awesome book!
I am a student and a teacher of leadership skills, and I have found no better example than Martin Luther King Jr.This book combines the history of King's movement, but also chronicles the qualities which made King great.The text is easy to read, and fascinating.Martin Luther King, Jr. On Leadership should be required reading for anyone who hopes to impact their world.The famed Harvard psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, who studied moral development, named King as one of the greatest moral thinkers in history.Read this book, and you will understand why.

inspiring book on leadership
I picked up this book simply thinking it would be a great story about leadership, but the underlying history of Martin Luther King is riveting as well. The leadership stories translate well to business and personal leadership--they speak to (all) people wanting to be part of a higher,unifying mission. If you like to "mark-up" the margins withthoughts keep a pen handy for this one.Its a book I talked about withcolleagues and family more than any other I've read. ... Read more

Book Description
Why nonviolence matters

Eloquent and passionate, reasoned and sensitive, this pair of meditations by the revered civil-rights leader contains the theological roots of his political and social philosophy of nonviolent activism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

not so good
i have the greatest respect for Dr. King. i expected this book to take a philosophical view towards measuring a man--- a philosophical view that emphasizes more on a certain methodism that values reason over passion. now, i understand Dr. King is a preacher and strongly believes in christianity. this book is a sermon. therefore, as someone who accepts christianity but not really endorses it to visit the church every sunday, i wouldn't have bought this book if i knew what perspective it would take. so this book is an excellent measure of a man, but it would be more preferable if it takes a different central figure other than God to measure a man. at least to me. its a very thin book by the way, more like a long essay.

Small and Handy
Small and slim, fits in the back of pants pockets just fine.

About 50-pages, with 10 or so pages in the middle solely having various photographs of King and followers.

I read it in about 15mins, taking my time.

Buy it used for the best deal. Paying full price for something so small that could probably be downloaded off the internet seems a bit much.

It is very thought-provoking, as all of King's work, and is worth reading. Would make a great gift for anyone.

I recommend "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr." for a more complete work of Dr. King.

To give this as a gift to every young man...
This is an excellent and treasurable little gift book to give to young people.While simple and humble at first glance, it gives some deep truths about life and how we can live responsibly.I've given copies of this to others, hoping that somewhere along their path in life they might open it and find just what they need to make good and true decisions in their lives and dealings with others.I hope it will never go out of print!

must read
This is a small and excellent book.The second half is outstanding.

a bit too short
King is as eloquent as always, and I knew this was a short book, but it was filled with a lot more pictures than I expected and it was more purely theological than connecting theology with his nonviolent philosophy.I'd go for something else if you want to read King. ... Read more

Book Description
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Civil Rights movement, inspiring generations and transforming the future of the United States. This collection includes the text of Dr. Kings best-known oration, I Have a Dream, his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, and Beyond Vietnam, a compelling argument for ending the conflict.Download Description
His speeches stirred a generation to change--and outlined a practical way to economic freedom and true democracy. His words would help bring about the end of a brutally unequal system and would show a timeless method for achieving fairness and justice for all.A CALL TO CONSCIENCE is a milestone collection of Dr. King's most influential and best-known speeches. Compiled by Stanford historian Dr. Clayborne Carson, director of the King Papers Project, and by contributing editor Kris Shepard, this volume takes you behind the scenes on an astonishing historical journey--from the small, crowded church in Montgomery, Alabama, where "The Birth of a New Nation" ignited the modern civil rights movement, to the center of the nation's capital, where "I Have a Dream" echoed through a nation's conscience, to the Mason Temple in Memphis, where over ten thousand people heard Dr. King give his last, transcendent speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop," the night before his assassination. In twelve important introductions, some of the world's most renowned leaders and theologians--Andrew Young, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and Mrs. Rosa Parks, among others--share with you their reflections on these speeches and give priceless firsthand testimony on the events that inspired their delivery. Expressing a deeply felt faith in democracy, the power of loving change, and a self-deprecating humor, A CALL TO CONSCIENCE is Dr. King speaking today. It is a unique, unforgettable record of the words that rallied millions, forever changed the face of America, and even today shape our deepest personal hopes and dreams for the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Recent purchases
Receipt and quality of our recent purchases were prompt, and the condition of the items orders were actually better than described. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Confusing telling
This bookk was aboutBlack History.It tells about black history as well as Martin Luther King and some of his protests.It also tells about slaves being brought over to america and sold like animals.I learned that everyone thought seperate but equal was okay.But it doesn't mean thatit was equal.THis is some of the things in the book.

confusing martin
This book was kind of good. In areas it laged a bit but aver all it was good. It told the history of martin luthers legacy and the effectn he had on everybody in the civil rights era. It overall was a good book.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was shot
I really liked this book because I didn't know where, who, how and when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. But when I read this book it told me everything about him and about all the black slaves back then. I think that we should all read this book because it tells you everything you need to know of how Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. The best story element for this book is suspense because it has a lot of that in this book. Because you never know what they are going to tell you next. This was an awesome book and the author was incredible. Way to go!! Thanks for listening and I hope that it was helpful.

an awesome MLK review
I felt that this book did a really awesome job describing the people of the civil rights movement, I also felt that Jim Haskins wrote this book with very good sense of what had happened in the past.This book had wonderful characterzation by describing MLK, Malcom X, Philip A. Rhandolph ect.This book started with the slaves coming over forcfully from Africa, it descriptivly described the horribal time the slaves had to go through.It did a great time all the way up to the point where MLK was assasinated.I highly reccomend this book.

This book was great at telling who what when where & why
This book was interesting because I had no idea of how or why Dr. King was shot. I also think that Jim Haskins is a really great author! Way to go Jim and a big thanks from me! ... Read more

Book Description
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial looking out over thousands of troubled Americans who had gathered in the name of civil rights and uttered his now famous words, "I have a dream . . ." It was a speech that changed the course of history.

This anniversary edition honors Martin Luther King Jr.'s courageous dream and his immeasurable contribution by presenting his most memorable words in a concise and convenient edition. As Coretta Scott King says in her foreword, "This collection includes many of what I consider to be my husband's most important writings and orations." In addition to the famed keynote address of the 1963 march on Washington, the renowned civil rights leader's most influential words included here are the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," the essay "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence," and his last sermon, "I See the Promised Land," preached the day before he was assassinated.

Editor James M. Washington arranged the selections chronologically, providing headnotes for each selection that give a running history of the civil rights movement and related events. In his introduction, Washington assesses King's times and significance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Amazing Collection of Speeches
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of America's greatest heroes and this is a collection of his wonderful writings and speeches. Often people stop at "I Have a Dream" but this shows the complete evolution of Dr. King. A wonderful read that has been part of my library for the past 10 years -- and I've read it three times and often use it for reference and store it next to the Bible.

AMERICANS SHOULD REALIZE THIS 'DREAM' TO THE FULLEST!
Dr. Martin Luther King's collection of writings and speeches, "I Have A Dream", brings aspiration to light. The events that surrounded the life and death of this true hero reveals the shameful fact that no matter how great the United States of America is today, it is one country that was nurtured with inhumane machinery: slavery, racism, injustice, Mickey-Mouse freedom, and Mickey-Mouse democracy. I hate to think about it, but it is an honest fact, whichwe should all come to terms with. Nobody can rewrite history.
The 256 pages that is "I Have A Dream" was enough to highlight the wickedness and the violence that were deliberately sustained in America, for a full century, after a bloody Civil War ended her tenacity on slavery.
One question that will always beg for answer is: How on earth did U.S. Presidents who presided over the ruthless color-bar era qualified for those Nobel Peace Prizes that they received? Knowing what life was like in the U.S.A. just a couple of decades ago melts my heart. "I Have A Dream" is a big eye-opener!

The essential King
"I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World," by Martin Luther King, Jr., is a fine collection of texts by this important figure. The book has been edited by James M. Washington. Coming in at less than 300 pages, this is a concise but meaty book.

Washington includes King's most important texts: the "Letter from Birmingham Jail"; the "I Have a Dream" speech; his Nobel Prize acceptance speech; "My Trip to the Land of Gandhi"; "A Time to Break Silence," his 1967 speech criticizing the United States war in Vietnam, and more. These writings and speeches cover King's great themes: nonviolent resistance, the African-American civil rights movement, etc.

Those seeking a more comprehensive collection of Kings' work should seek out "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr." also edited by James M. Washington. At more than 700 pages, this is a truly monumental collection, and includes much material not found in "I Have a Dream": the 1965 "Playboy" interview, transcripts of television interviews, and more. But for those who want a shorter text that cuts to the heart of King's life and work, "I Have a Dream" is perfect.

"I Have a Dream" reveals King to be a true Christian prophet, and a man with a global vision. As literature, these texts also show King to be the heir of such American thinkers as Henry David Thoreau and W.E.B. DuBois. Highly recommended.

Excellent introduction to Dr. King's works
This collection of Dr. King's writings includes all the major speeches -- such as I Have A Dream and I See the Promised Land, as well as important writings such as Letter from A Birmingham Jail.It also has great essays on the lessons Dr. King learned from Ghandi and a wonderful introduction from Mrs. King. This is a great collection to get started learning about Dr. King -- from his own pen.I highly reccomend it.

Inspirational
Reading the speeches of Dr. King are inspiring. You get a glimpse into his mind and to genuinely understand the struggle he was up against. I'm not just refering to the Civil Rights movement. you also get insights into theresponsibilities and pressure he felt as the leader of this movement. Hewas a man who changed history. This book offers glimpses into his humanityas well as his motivational and inspirational speeches.A must for anyoneinterested in American history, the Civil Rights movement or in biographys.It will continue to effect you long after you have put the book down. ... Read more

Book Description
This little boardbook uses only approximately 200 words to tell about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to explain, in simple terms, how he ended segegation in America ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beautiful and Perfect
This little board book is the most beautiful and perfect book on Martin Luther King, Jr. I have ever seen as Dr. King's message is kept pure, untainted, clear and focused. The colors are soft and gentle, the words simple and easy. It is a perfect introduction to Dr. King, his life, his work as well as an introduction into human values such as respect and equality.It is never too early to begin educating children on such matters nor too late for adults to refresh their memories on these core matters especially as so many are waving flags: remember what those flags represent and the lessons of Dr. King. This little book can help any age do so...even you!

Telling the Tale
Parents quite often want to begin to teach their children about important aspects of
history and culture even at the earliest of ages.This book is the perfect avenue
through which parents can begin teaching their children about Martin Luther King and
the Civil Rights Movement.

Moore has done a superb job in writing a biography that is short, concise and easy to
understand.Even children with the shortest of attention spans can enjoy and understand
this book.Friendly illustrations will make this book even more pleasurable for
children.The boardbook format of this book makes it easy for children to handle
the book and even turn the pages without parents having to worry about the book being
damaged.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers ... Read more

Book Description
Level 2: Reading Independently

• More complex stories

• Varied sentence structure

• Paragraphs and short chapters

Young Martin Luther King Jr. is having some problems with his best friend, Bobby. First, they are going to different schools this year. Next, Bobby's dad is not letting his son play with Martin. When Martin learns why, he is confused and hurt -- but he learns a lesson that he will never forget.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An accurate and compelling little story
This book is beautifully drawn and simple, yet, effective in its storytelling. It doesn't portray Martin's family as being poor even though it doesn't mention that Martin's father is a minister. But that's not what the story's about. The point, I think, is to look at Martin Luther King, Jr. as an average little boy who's story is all too common of that era.
It's a story about prejudice impacting a kid. In the end Martin does say he wants to change things, and I'm sure kids' will put two and two together, but it's not a biography. It's a description of a life-changing scene from childhood.

Don't buy this book
This book is absolute rubbish.It is not based on any facts.MLK Jr's family grew up in a middle class section of Atlanta.His father was a minister.The illustrations in this book give the reader the idea that Martin came from a poor family, when nothing could be further from the truth.A much better book is Martin's Big Words, the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ... Read more

Book Description
Mary Eloise is disappointed that the part she gets in the school play is that of Black History narrator--but two storytellers visit her school and change how she views her heritage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Good Book
The book has an ok plot it is about a girl, Mary Elouise who wants to be the narrator in the President's Month play but got the part in the Black History Month Play.

Mary is also embarrassed about her race. She hates it when other people talk about black history or even mentions the name slave.

Mary wants to have lighter skin. Like this girl Brandy in her class who is white and rich. Mary wants to be Brandy's friend because she is rich and white. Brandy does not like Mary. Brandy thinks Mary is annoying and does not want to be around her or be her friend. Mary is jealous of Brady's best friend, Kenyetta because she also wants to be Brandy's best friend.

One weekend when Mary was visiting her grandma, Big Momma, she tells Mary to be proud of her background and race, And that you should not ever want to be someone else.

I really liked the book because it taught people to be proud of their ancestors and heritage. I really like the plot also. It might also deal with someone else's life. This book teaches a very good life lesson.

Thank You Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!Book Review
This is a touching book for all ages.There is a very valuable lesson that is in this story.That is don't ever judge a person by how they look or how they act, you have to get to know the person first. The main character in this book is Mary Elouise.She is a bright young girl and she badly wants to be the narrator in the Presidents month school play.She ends up getting the part as the narrator for the Black history segment instead and is very offended because she thinks that the only reason her teacher her teacher Miz Vereen picked her because she is black.In the end a storyteller visits Mary's school and teaches her a very valuable less that she will cherish forever. She realizes a lot of things after this, like she was thought she would probably be the best for the narrating part in the Black history segment.Most importantly she becomes a lot happier for herself, and realizes who her real friends are and what they are really worth.

Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!
Thank You, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! is a very good book. It is about a young girl who is African-American. She is embarrased about her race. Whenever the subject comes up she slides down in her seat. She is in her school's play. She is picked to be a speaker. There is a Valentine's Day speaker, a President's Month speaker, and a Black history speaker. She gets picked to play the Black history speaker. She talks to her Mother, sister, Grandmother 'Big Mamma', and an African-American author that comes to talk to her class. At the same time she is trying to become friends with a girl in her class. She thinks that the girl hates her. By the time the school play comes around she is becoming friends with the girl with the help of Big Mamma and she is proud of being an African-American. This isa tactful way of teaching us not to be prejudice. I think everyone should read this. You can find another review by me by reading the Good Night, Mr. Tom reviews.

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I rate this book a five (on a scale from 1-5) because this story has a very good lesson and there were times that I would laugh and times that I would feel very badly for some of the characters. The moral I like a lotbecause of the way that the author describes in the feeling of her words. Ilike this book because it has very good characters and I like the way theauthor described this book. She used lots of verbs and nouns.I think thatthis book deserves a newberry award. She has the qualifications of a famousnewberry award-winning author. This book contains similarities from otherstruggles of the times where black and white people were in a war so tospeak. This book has lots of things that deal with it like when she has totry to read a part of a black African American when her friends are allagainst that because they are white. She feels very disappointed when shefinds out that they are turning against her on that issue. She feelsdisclosed from her world. The books that I have read about these issuessometimes bring me to tears. This book has brought on a new subject to mylife individuality. I love this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was only 25 when he helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was soon organizing black people across the country in support of the right to vote, desegregation, and other basic civil rights. Maintaining nonviolent and peaceful tactics even when his life was threatened, King was also an advocate for the poor and spoke out against racial and economic injustice until his death—from an assassin’s bullet—in 1968. With clearly written text that explains this tumultuous time in history and 80 black-and-white illustrations, this Who Was…? celebrates the vision and the legacy of a remarkable man. ... 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
Illus. with black-and-white photos. This revised edition of the popular Random House Step Up(TM) Biography of the great civil-rights leader and advocate for peaceful resistance now includes new text and additional dynamic photos. Reading level: 2.2.   ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

what?
Meet Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark Books, by James T. De Kay
104 pages, Biography

Meet Martin Luther King, was a very interesting book.I know that this book has been used by the Princeton Review to help teach nonreaders to read.While the topic is great and the effort is even better, I feel that this may not be the best book for such an important activity.The book is clearly stated as being for a fourth grade audience; however the sentence structure is more along the line of a pre-school level.The use of punctuation is horrible and just flat out wrong.I don't know if a comma was used in the entire book.I just know that if I had a fourth grade son or daughter, or a high school senior for that matter, I would prefer they learn sentence structure and language a bit better than this book portrays.
As previously mentioned the ideas portrayed in this book are wonderful.The struggles that were going on at the time are exemplified through the great efforts of Martin Luther's life long battles to help eliminate discrimination. The portrayal of the life of Dr. King, while shown through a fine lined pen, is very useful in illustrating the major points of his life.I feel the purpose of the book is met, and the story is told. Also, the fact that the book is readable to a fourth grader is helpful in teaching the nonreaders of our country.
Depending on your purpose as a reader this may or may not be the book for you.It is a one sided illustration of the life and a poor level of writing at the same time.I would hope that there are better and more complete illustrations of Martin Luther King Juniors' life.

WOW!I can't believe what my child learned.
We have read a lot of biographies, but this one was different.I don't really know why.My son, 6, was captivated by this book.He now devours EVERYTHING he hears about Martin Luther King, Jr.My son learned about a man like himself in many ways who experienced difficulties and fought unfair laws just because of his color.He also learned about a man named Gandhi and the influence he had on Dr. King.I was so impressed by the impression that this book made on my son.And he recognized scenes from the book when we watched the movie "KING."Rarely does any book have this much impact on a young child.It definitely deserves 5 stars.

Great Bio for Kids
This is the perfect biography for kids around 8-12 years old to read.It has lots of information and is a little more advanced than a Martin LutherKing biography you would find in a first grade classroom would be.Thiswould also be a great book to read if a child has to do a report. ... Read more

Book Description
Quoting extensively from Dr. Martin Luther King's sermons and speeches, the author chronicles King's rise from a young minister in Montgomery, Alabama to the world's greatest spokesperson for civil rights. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (6)

A review by Isaiah, Mrs. Bhola's second grade
If you think black folks should be nice to white folks and white folks should be nice to black folks you would like Happy Birthday Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo. It's about how he made the city be nice to black people. He was a pastor. My favorite was when he died and had a funeral. My favorite part was when he died and had a funeral. Check it out at your library today.

A Favorite in our School
Dr. King is a favorite hero among elementary school children.This book is the perfect way to introduce them to the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The language is simple and the illustrations are interesting. I've found that although students know the "Happy Birthday" song, they aren't aware that Stevie Wonder wrote the song as a tribute to Dr. King.We always end our read aloud by singing a chorus of the song.

An effective picture book on an important American leader
"Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King" fills a need for effective picture books for young readers about this important American leader. The scratchboard illustrations, although unusual for this format, create a vibrancy that enhances the text.

This narrative revolves around the statement: "The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., is famous because he helped our country change some of its laws." Then in simple language it goes on to explain some of the laws he helped change.

It goes on to say, "Poor people, rich people, white people, black people, and people from all around the world listened when Martin Luther King spoke." Of course, there is mention of his 1963 speech in Washington, D.C., where his "dream was that people everywhere would learn to live together without being mean to one another."

This is an excellent book to read aloud to younger students, although as a school librarian, I have seen it used effectively up to the 5th grade (like another reviewer here). Another good title that covers some of the same territory for young readers is "A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.," by David A. Adler.

First Grade Teachers......A book for you!
I've been searching for a short read about Martin Luther King, Jr. that would excite my first grade students and keep them focused on the background of this great American. The illustrations are lovely and thesize of the book is perfect for classroom storytime.

This is a very good book about a very good man.
I am a fifth grader at North Hills Traditional Academy.

I like this book because it tells how Martin Luther King grew up. And it was sweet how he grew up.

I like the book because the pictures are colorful and the storyis sweet.

The thing I really like about the book is that it tells sweetthings about his personal life, not just his public life.

Mostly, Ireally like it because it tells how he grew up and about his friendshipwith a little white boy.

It's really cleverbecause it shows whatMartin Luther King was like when he was young.

It's a great book. I thinkyou should read it. And I know that you will enjoy it. ... Read more

Product Description
Here, in words and picutures, is the story of Martin Luther King. His life and tragic death .Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks about himself. ... Read more