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Customer Reviews (15)

Two gigantic figures in history
This book describes the interacting and colliding lives of Lyndon Johnson and Martin Luther King during the Johnson presidency. The book is more focused (and somewhat more comfortable) with Johnson. Johnson is portrayed as a very colourful and tempestuous individual - running the full range from self-pity to great self-confidence - particularly in the art of political manipulation.

Although this book covers the ground of others (see in particular the three superb volumes of Taylor Branch) its' great strength is in the presentation of how Johnson was morally swayed by civil rights. Johnson successfully translated the Civil Rights issues into laws that he pushed through Congress and the Senate. Today the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act are a part of the American landscape. Some of the speeches Johnson made would be inconceivable coming from the mouth of a President in this era - where dissembling is the mode of transmission.

Nevertheless Johnson lied tremendously about Vietnam. This is the great dichotomy of the man. As Kotz points out Johnson knew that Vietnam would jeopardize his `Great Society' social programs, but pursued the suicidal course in Vietnam.

Kotz describes very well the passage of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 and the Voting Act of 1965. He also speaks of Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964 and the aftermath of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party on the Democratic Convention.

Like a tumor Hoover is witnessing the changes brought on by the Civil Rights movement and is trying covertly to manipulate and poison the atmosphere of both these two larger than life characters. The book covers well the tumultuous events of this era.

I do feel that Kotz is harsh on Martin Luther King during his stay in Chicago in 1967. Taylor Branch paints a different view emphasizing a moral and honest human being who believes earnestly in non-violence

Excellent look at a monumental time
With the fight for health care, I've been interested in looking back at the administration of the last (great) liberal President: LBJ.

For years his achievements in domestic policy were overshadowed by Vietnam.

Time is ripe to re-evaluate his Presidency and appreciate what he and Martin Luther King accomplished for all Americans. What extraordinary men they were, what an extraordinary battle they waged.

One negative: no Kindle version.

Extraordinary book
For anyone who lived through and remembers the times covered by this book, it is fascinating and illuminating.Highly recommended.

Revolutionary Realization
I have to confess that before I read this book, I associated LBJ only with the mysterious Box 13 in Florida and the conspiracy theory that he "stole" the presidency -- hardly what I would call empirical facts about a most amazing U.S. President.
This book introduced me to a whole new side of Lyndon B. Johnson.A man from Texas who was once, at least nominally, associated with the KKK, but whose conscious wouldn't let him continue with them.A man who's best political interests would most likely have been served by avoiding MLK at all costs, but who's passion for justice compelled him to push the U.S. to brink of civil war.While MLK wanted to fight for the black voter, LBJ wanted to fight for everyone who was robbed of free will due to crushing poverty.Together these two conflicting and contradictory men shaped the most revolutionary civil rights legislation since Lincoln and I never knew.I never would have guessed.
This book isn't just history; it's a powerful drama that is so well written, the pages pull the reader through some of the most frightening decisions in the social fabric of our nation.If LBJ went as far as MLK wanted him to, would the nation be torn by riots?If he didn't help the huge sector of American society which remained outside the American dream, would the nation be torn by riots?Would it have been torn regardless of what Washington, D.C. did to try to appease, mitigate or alleviate the tensions?
This is really an incredible read.

Difficult, But Historic Times
Author Nick Kotz brings out the personalities of the heavy hitters of the 1960's, especially President Lyndon Johnson and civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.The book begins with the assassination of President Kennedy as Lyndon Johnson is then thrust into the presidency.Determined to carry out Kennedy's programs Johnson achieves initial success with his Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Equal Voting Rights Act of 1965.The author does a wonderful job characterizing Johnson's ability to give others the "Johnson treatment" in convincing them to go along with his programs.He has to deal with, not only conservative Democratic politicians determined to keep segregation permanent, but with diverse personalities such as Bobby Kennedy who felt Johnson was trying to "take over" too fast following his brother's assassination, F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover who kept voluminous files on those he may need to blackmail at some time in the future, and Martin Luther King, Jr. who wanted to achieve equal rights through nonviolence.King realized, however, that he needed to wake up the country by having them see the physical violence his marchers were subjected to in the South.Vietnam put the kibosh on Johnson's Great Society program and War on Poverty to such an extent that he chose not to run for a second term in that horrendous year of 1968 which saw both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated, the Vietnam was spiraled out of control, cities continued to burn in rioting as they had in 1967, and Richard Nixon went on to become the next president.Whether you lived through these years or not they were historic times and this book is required reading for those wanting to learn about this period in history. ... Read more

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Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideashis 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 societyare 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. ... 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

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Free at Last! is a biography of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., who encouraged nonviolent protest to fulfill his dream of an America where people would be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Free at Last!
Even though this book was not very long it gave the most information I had ever learned about Martin Luther King Jr.I could not put the book down.I couldn't stop myself from turning the page.He sacrificed himself twice and went to jail just so blacks could sit on the bus when it was very crowded.After that I wanted to see what he fought for next.Anyone who is looking to write another biography I would highly recommend this book.If I ever need to write another biography I would pick one of Angela Bull's books.

Onward to Freedom
I would recommend this book to others because it is a good book for people who like American history because Martin Luther King Jr. is a big part of American history. This book is also good for people who have biography reports because this book has a lot of information about Martin Luther King Jr. This book did not keep me on he edge of my seat because it was to short so I didn't have enough time to digest the book because I would finish it to fast. It was a very good book but I did not keep me on my seat to see what would happen next.
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-I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.

Customer Reviews (1)

King Jr. Day.
This book was fantastic.My first graders got more info from than any historic book that I have shared with them.They remembered more details.It was great the way the author related the past with the future on their level.This is a most have book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

GREAT BOOK
AMAZON couldn't find this for me, so I got it from Powell's, a new edition. It is a classic for the ages and I wanted it for my library so my grandkids could read it. It defines WHAT a church actually is: "A church is known by its spirit of sacrifice." (BTW, in ancient Athens, the Ekklesia was the lower house of representative citizens.) ... Read more

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Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. ... Read more

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A simple biography of a great black leader emphasizing his dream of equal treatment for all Americans. ... Read more

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We know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a social activist who changed America. But King's beginnings were as a preacher, and he preached with power throughout his life. In light of this, it is all the more remarkable that few have focused on his "pulpit power," which reflected his religious commitments and shaped the civil rights movement that he led.

Dr. Mervyn A. Warren offers us a journey into King's preaching in this homiletical biography exploring his sermons, use of language, delivery and more. In these pages we have a remarkable opportunity to gain new insight into all of King's life and work, includiing access to four of Dr. King's previously unpublished sermons. Now in paper, this book will be an invaluable resource to students and pastors alike who wish to emulate the power of King's preaching and the dedication of his faith.

"A tremendous contribution to the growing body of King scholarship." Dr. Lewis Baldwin, professor of religious studies, Vanderbilt University ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Practical and Theoretical Power!
As an admirer of great Black preaching, I cannot thank Dr. Warren enough for penning this essential window into the mind of a figure often trivialized and simplified into an all-purpose, harmless icon.Dr. King really did come preaching. This book puts him in the proper perspective as part of a long line of intellectual and oratorical tradition, while pointing out the uniqueness of his gifts.

Before you pick up "King Came Preaching", remember that it seems more of a study of responsible ministry than a recruiting tract pamphlet.Because of this fact, Dr. Warren makes the benefits of his scholarship accessible to others than just Evangelical Christians.Dr. Gardner Taylor, Dr. James Cone, Dr. William Jones, Bishop Vashti McKenzie,Minister Louis Farrakhan and others are proof that there's more than one way to skin the devil!

Ministers, Professors, lay persons and the just-plain curious would all do well to share in this intimate but intelligent look at one of history's most misunderstood figures.

Came Preaching Social Justice
I read this book because I wanted to gain insight to what type of theologian Dr. Martin Luther King was. After reading this book, I came away with the impression that the author of this work, Dr. Mervyn A. Warren is notone should learn theology from. He may be a professor of Hermeneutics, but his application of scripture are aimed toward improving society at the expense of ones life after death. His theme of this book is that King preached for social justice. This is not a surprise to anyone. It is only a problem when the gospel of Jesus Christ is excluded. No where in this book are arguments how Dr. King Jr. handled topics such as every man's need for repentance, and the acceptance of Jesus as Savior. Never is it stated that Dr. King never preached on this topic or other topics based on other theology, but he does state the pulpit should be used to mobilize social change. Dr. Mervyn A. Warren argues that Dr. King Jr. and Walter Raushenbush would agree on this statement:
"If aminister uses great teaching method of the pulpit sanely and wisely to open the moral importance of the social questions, he may be the utmost usefulness."

"utmost usefulness" to what is the question I ask myself. The upmost usefulness to bring on social change. yeah, I agree the pulpit should bring new direction to an individuals life. Christians being a creation should seek to do good. But if he is arguing the "utmost usefulness" for the pulpit is to bring social justice or to organize the congregation to better this worldI disagree. Dr. A. Warren strongly argues for the pulpit to be used to mobilize its listeners for social involvement. The author belittles sin and the need for men to repent to their creator. He speaks of a black theology and mocks a black Pastor who disagrees with him on this topic.
... Read more

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Ralph David Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr. were inseparable and together helped to establish what would become the modern American Civil Rights Movement. They preached, marched, and were frequently jailed together. Donzaleigh Abernathy, Ralph’s youngest daughter, has written Partners to History as a testament to the courage, strength, and endurance of these men who stirred a nation with their moral fortitude. She also pays tribute to the thousands of unsung heroes—the other partners to this history—who were foot soldiers in the endless struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.This document captures in words and pictures how the dream of two visionaries changed the course of American history and inspired the world.

Partners to History is a unique look at a troubling time, and its usage of dramatic—and personal—photographs, combined with the voices of King and Abernathy, seamlessly conveys the fears, frustrations, and pain of the long days and nights spent planning the many crusades. Donzaleigh Abernathy’s recollections provide personal insight from someone who lived through the tumult and witnessed firsthand the relationship of these lifelong friends. “People didn’t know Daddy and Uncle Martin,” she writes. “They know the legends.They don’t know the fathers, the husbands, the men, the human beings. I feel obliged to tell the beautiful stories of these beautiful men I lived with and loved.”

Chronicling the crucial events of the movement, from the early strategy sessions in the homes of integrationists and the Montgomery Bus Boycott to Birmingham, the Freedom Riders, and the March on Washington, the author provides a unique insider’s perspective. With heart-wrenching precision, she lays bare the horrifying deaths of four little girls in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and follows the search for three murdered civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi. She goes behind the scenes to the intimate moments and reveals the determination of two families caught up in the fight for equal rights.

King and Abernathy believed in a cause and laid their lives on the line time and time again, knowing deep in their hearts that they were working not only for their people, but for the good of all humankind. When, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Ralph David Abernathy vowed to persevere and continue their dream, knowing that people could not be free until the walls came tumbling down.

Inspirational and beautifully illustrated, Partners to History reveals the remarkable relationship between two great leaders and serves as a reminder and tribute to this tumultuous era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An incredibly BEAUTIFUL book!!!!!!!!
This is a book that every young adult and adults should have on their coffee table!!! Never before seen pictures and told through the eyes of a child through the civil rights movement this book is a refreshing, new insight that is a fast paced read!! A book to revist again and again!!!!!

Absolutely marvelous!!!!!!
Partners to History is a beautifully written and illustrated story of the Civil Rights Movement, its unsung heroes, its celebrated heroes, and the American struggle for freedom and peace. It is imperative that educational institutions withquality American history programs have this masterful work of historical literature on its shelves.

Carla Newsome McManus
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

Absolute marvelous!!!!!!!
Partners to History is a beautifully written and illustrated story of the Civil Rights Movement, its unsung heroes, its celebrated heroes, and the struggle for freedom in America. It is imperative that any school with a quality American history program have this masterful work of historic literature on its shelves.

Carla Newsome McManus
President
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

Excellent
This book is a must have. I think it should be in all public schools. The writer tells a beautiful story about the Civil Rights Movement. The pictures are fantastic while we have all seen pictures of the Movement, these pictures tell a story. Great Job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Extremely Powerful !!!
These images are worth more than 1 million words.They speak the truth with clarity that is rarely achieved in a discourse about race in America.This is American history in its true form.A great editing job and choice of photos.

THIS IS A CLASSIC HISTORY LESSON ... Read more

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Aw, Come On!!
John Larry Ray's TRUTH AT LAST, tries to convince the reader that his brother did not kill Martin Luther King. Well, maybe he didn't. But John's account is too biased for me. Avatar, Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz is more believable. Was this a try at comedy?

Probably true but still an awful book
Unlike the other negative reviewers I'm not someone who thinks that all conspiracy theories are nonsense spouted by people waring tin foil hats. I think the murder of MLK is one of the most blatant examples where many people have swallowed a story with minimal evidence, namely the theory of Ray as lone nut assassin. The evidence against Ray was non-existent. The ballistics didn't match with his gun, no one saw him fire the gun and the one guy who said that he saw Ray in the building where he aledgedly fired the weapon was also by his own admission falling down drunk at the time. Ray was coerced via early versions of "enhanced interrogation techniques" (e.g. complete deprivation of sleep) and by legal trickery to sign a confession. So I'm quite open to the theories that James Earl Ray's brother John has to tell. However, John Ray is no writer or researcher. There are no foot notes, even for some amazing claims. There are also constant leaps of association and supposition that characterize the worst in conspiracy research. There is very little original work here. Most of what the author does is to regurgitate ideas and excerpts from other authors. What is original is completely untrustworthy since there are no sources. A book I would recommend over this is Murder in Memphis by Mark Lane.

Complete trash
You certainly do get another side of the story with this book. It is written by convicted assasin James Earl Ray's brother, and boy, does he lay out some whoppers. You would have to believe in about three different major conspiracy theories to wind up with the conclusion that John Ray comes up with. The cia warped Jame's mind with LSD, hired the mob with FBI approval to get a hit man to kill MLK jr and use James Earl as a patsy.

Why did James leave finger prints all over the place and his gun behind? Because he was a not too bright con man.

Unsubstantiated allegations, assertions with no proof or facts to back them up. If there was another gunman as stated, what evidence is there to back it up? None is provided.

Whatya expect, it's his brother. Not likely he's going to come out and admit James Earl killed one of the most important and influential Americans of all times.

I kept reading this like one would a bad sci-fi book - just to see how outlandish the author dared to be. That's the only value this book had to me. Frankly, I'd skip it altogether.

Another Side of the Story
John Larry Ray's oldest brother was James Earl Ray (p.1). John spent 25 years in federal prison and now lives in Illinois. John claims he was imprisoned because he knew too much about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr on April 4, 1968. Lyndon Barsten is a historian who frequently lectures about the assassination. This is a very readable book that is fast-paced like a novel, except it is based on fact. John begins by telling about the Ray family history and culture, and debunks the stories reported in the Corporate Media. John gives the facts as he witnessed them. The Ray brothers were often in trouble and in prison. John claims his brother was a "patsy" like Oswald. He tells what he knows and what he was told by his brother James.

John says there was "no evidence that Jimmy killed King" because the Feds didn't use it in theextradition proceedings (p.128). James had to plead guilty to escape the death sentence (p.129). Was there a conspiracy to murder Martin Luther King (p.131)? A famous lawyer takes a criminal case for "free advertising" (p.134). Should James have gotten a new trial (p.135)? Were there mysterious deaths associated with this case (p.136)? Chapter 8 tells of John's conviction for conspiracy (summarized on page 149). William H. Webster was both the FBI and CIA chief after convicting John (p.151). Do you have to "bend the Constitution" (p.153)? Did two journalists, Bill Slater and Louis Lomax, die under suspicious circumstances (p.158)? Both investigated the King assassination.

In October 1974 James got an evidentiary hearing in an attempt for a new trial. Herb MacDonnell testified as an expert witness to say the shot that killed King could not have come from Ray's room (p.162). Did the King family question the Federal version (p.164)? Are the mentally ill recruited as assassins (p.165)? Would a Federal judge be bumped off for political reasons (p.168)? James was never tried for his escape attempt (p.173). There was a problem about James' money during 1967-68 (p.175). Is reality irrelevant (p.179)? John says he was the victim of a "Federal Vendetta" (Chapter 11). Was he convicted for "not picking up someone on the highway who was found not guilty of robbing a bank" (p.190)? Does greasy food destroy your liver (p.191)?

The importance of this book is its presentation of a counterpoint to the Establishment Media version. "Only one in five people believe the mainstream media." If the rifle bought by James did not match the bullet that struck Dr. King (p.115) that would establish James as a "patsy". The 'Bibliography' lists the articles, books, and other references to this event.

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "JAMES EARL RAY: CIA/FBI/MAFIA "PATSY" OR MARTIN LUTHER KING ASSASSIN?"
I must start off this review by stating for the record that I have never been one of those "CONSPIRACY NUTS". In fact I have never even paid such claims a second thought. I even made fun of Oliver Stone. But the detail provided in this book by James Earl Ray's brother, John Larry Ray and Lyndon Barsten, a lay historian is quite compelling! John takes the reader all the way back through the entire history of the Ray family, "warts" and all. In fact the "warts" (criminal activity) are an essential element that adds veracity to the conspiratorial intersection of the CIA, FBI, Mafia and the United States Government. Aiding John's real-life firsthand knowledge regarding the people, organizations and events that culminated in Martin Luther King's (MLK) assassination is Lyndon's expert use of the "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT" (FOIA) which freed up TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW PAGES OF NEW MATERIALS ON THE MLK ASSASSINATION.

When James went into the Army he became a military policeman "for a year and a half in the 382nd MP Battalion. Later, he joined a new organization largely formed out of the old OSS, (Office of Strategic Services) which had been the Army's wartime intelligence service", but after 1947, the outfit was generally known as the CIA. "When James joined the Central Intelligence Agency, he was given a new U.S. Army serial number." James involvement in the Army with the OSS/CIA and his civilian criminal contacts would haunt and control him for the rest of his life. James would later say: "When you join the OSS, it's like joining the Mafia, you never leave." According to the authors, the CIA is probably the closest thing to a worldwide Mafia that ever existed. James was assigned a "handler" that would manipulate and direct him the rest of his life. "James would frequently say that when he joined the Army, it put him on the road to ruin. From the time he left the service in 1948 until his death in 1998, James Earl Ray spent forty-three of those fifty years in prison." In my opinion, if it wasn't for the FOIA the things I'm about to tell you would seem like science fiction. "Documents clearly indicate that the CIA was busy trying to reprogram people, and it was doing it in 1948. Several thousand mostly financial documents on mind control, drugs, and many other subjects the public would consider crazy survived a document-destruction project ordered by the director of Central Intelligence, Richard Helms, and Sidney Gottlieb, headof mind control studies, as they left the CIA in 1973. Today you can get the surviving several thousand pages of CIA mind control documents on three CD's that detail the bizarre experiments done in the name of "national security." The Army had their own programs that paralleled the CIA's: tens of thousands of surviving government documents detail, among other subjects, how they endeavored to create HUMAN ROBOTS to be used as killing machines. The CIA's own documents say it best. This document, "Hypnosis and Covert Operations" (written May 5, 1955) is released through the FOIA by the CIA as MORI 428311." "The CIA's MK-Ultra brainwashing program included feeding Army soldier's mescaline, sodium pentothal, depressants, amphetamines and LSD both on base and at local bars."

On many of the occasions that the post-military James was ordered to report to his "handler" he was directed to smuggle weapons in and out of Mexico. The potential reader should be made aware that the CIA and FBI had a very close working relationship with the Mafia. "They used the Mob for clandestine operations so that they could maintain plausible deniability if the operation went wrong." Just a few of the documented examples are Lucky Luciano in World War II and the planned assassination of Castro in Cuba. So because of James's relationship with certain mob figures, when he met his "handler" in the time leading up to the MLK assassination he was led to believe he was going to be a "wheel-man" in a diamond heist. (In fact one of the hardest things for the government to cover-up was the money they gave James to keep him available and indebted to them when the conspiracy was questioned years later.)He was even directed to buy the rifle that the government would attempt to say killed MLK. The flophouse bathroom that the government said James shot MLK from was proven to be too narrow to fit the length of the rifle in at the proper angle without James either making a ten-inch-deephole through the wall or hanging out of the window.

It gets more insane from there as FOIA documents later proved that while James was given a lawyer from a government approved list, the FBI was secretly giving an author bogus incriminating evidence about James to be published in "LOOK" and "LIFE" magazine before James ever got his "fair" trial. By this time Coretta Scott King "was now openly and publicly beginning to discuss her suspicions of government conspiracy in her husband's death and in the death of her brother-in-law." Add to this, Judges about to approve an appeal dying of heart attacks, new lawyers handling James's case dying of heart attacks, and witnesses dying of heart attacks. NOTE: "One of the most common methods used by intelligence agencies for murder is HEART ATTACKS!" There is so much more documented detail in this expose that even if you start reading this book with a closed-mind... by the end of this book it will be opened to the possibility that...???

... Read more

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most celebrated figures of the twentieth century. A crusader for nonviolent social justice, he led African Americans in their demands for equality through peaceful protests during one of the most tumultuous times in recent history.

Set against key moments in the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used to overcome racial discrimination.

Walter Dean Myers's moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins's compelling paintings portray a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness. Dr. King's dream that all Americans would be judged by their individual actions and character is one we still cherish today.

Customer Reviews (2)

great balck history month read
This is a book about Martin Luther King Jr.We learn that he stood for peace not violence. He wanted everyone to be treated equally no matter what color their skin was.Some people did not like the way Dr King went about things.They sent him mean letters and he even ended up in jail.Dr King never gave up or gave in to violence.He always stood strong in his beliefs.

I learned a lot from this book.I knew a little about Martain Luther King Jr but this story taught he much more.

This book would be helpful to elementary students when writing reports Martin Luther King Jr.There is a helpful time line with dates of important events listed in the back of the book.This is a great book to read during black history month.

Learning about One Man's Dream
Walter Dean Myers has created a good introduction to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his book I'VE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND.Through the story, children are presented with his basic biographical information beginning with his birth in 1929 and ending with his assassination in 1968.In addition, children are briefly introduced to the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.Myers also shares some of the highlights of Dr. King's work in the movement and some of the personal sacrifices he made to do the work.

Overall, this book serves as a pleasant introduction to the life of Dr. King.The illustrations were enjoyable and really enhance the story.My biggest criticism is that it seems to define the Civil Rights Movement as a whole and Dr. King's life as synonymous.While Dr. King did have a major impact on the Civil Rights Movement, it was much bigger than King alone and included countless other heroes and sheroes throughout the nation.This book is by no means comprehensive, but as an introduction the author doesn't do a bad job presenting the information in a way that very young (his target audience) children will be able to grasp.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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Customer Reviews (2)

A Must-Read for every elementary school student
With its vivid historical detail and a fourth-grade readability level, Marching To Freedom tells the story of the Civil Rights movement so that every student can know this important part of our history.
This book ties the important events in Dr. King's life to the thoughts, feelings and decisions that took him to the mountaintop.It also makes the point again and again that many other people played important roles too.
As a teacher, I used a class set of multiple copies every year with a variety of students from gifted to at-risk.

A Black Star
This book was absolutely fabulous. It tells you many troubles black people went through in the 1960's. I learned so much about how hard Martin's life was and all the ups and downs he went through just for what he believed in. I thought he was the best leader ever. I don't want to tell you too much because you should read it for yourself. ... Read more

Product Description
Acclaimed by Ebony magazine as "one of those rare publishing events thatgenerate as much excitement in the cloistered confines of the academy as they do inthe general public," The Papers of Martin Luther King,Jr. chronicles one of the twentieth century's most dynamic personalities and one of the nation'sgreatest social struggles. King's call for racial justice and his faith in the power ofnonviolence to engender a major transformation of American society is movinglyconveyed in this authoritative multivolume series.

In Volume IV, with the Montgomery bus boycott at an end, King confrontsthe sudden demands of celebrity while trying to identify the next steps in theburgeoning struggle for equality. Anxious to duplicate the success of the boycott, hespends much of 1957 and 1958 establishing the Southern Christian LeadershipConference. But advancing the movement in the face of dogged resistance, he finds thatit is easier to inspire supporters with his potent oratory than to organize amass movement for social change. Yet King remains committed: "The vastpossibilities of a nonviolent, non-cooperative approach to the solution of the race problemare still challenging indeed. I would like to remain a part of the unfoldingdevelopment of this approach for a few more years."

King's budding international prestige is affirmed in March 1957, whenhe attends the independence ceremonies in Ghana, West Africa. Two months laterhis first national address, at the "Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom," is widelypraised, and in June 1958, King's increasing prominence is recognized with along-overdue White House meeting. During this period King also cultivates alliances withthe labor and pacifist movements, and international anticolonial organizations.As Volume IV closes, King is enjoying the acclaim that has greeted his firstbook, Stride Toward Freedom, only to suffer a near-fatal stabbing in New York City.Amazon.com Review
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent
This book is an excellent way for new readers to delve into biographies.Perfect reading level for a first grader. There are photographs on every other page, which is nice for holding young readers' attention.The whole "I Like Biographies" series of books is wonderful for the first grade book reports.
The inspiring story of Dr. King is told in an age-appropriate way that really captured my daughters attention. The cost of this book IS a bit high, though.

A timeline, bibliography and index concludes this excellent introduction
Ages 6-8 will find Read About Martin Luther King Jr. to be a basic primer offering 24 large-print pages of facts about Martin Luther King Jr. Each page offers a paragraph of information offset by a large color photo, and each focuses on King's ideas as much as his life. A timeline, bibliography and index concludes this excellent introduction for the young.
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