Maybe that's okay for some, but I say this is a biography, mostly of his adult activist life, and it contains none of the critical analysis that's in David Garrow's Bearing the Cross. In May 1941, King was 12 years old when his grandmother, Jennie, died of a heart attack. King was a great man who accomplished great things, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2018. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr: Chapter 14: The Sit-In Movement. This is not an autobiography in the true sense of the word. Quotes Showing 1-30 of 138 “A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The best book I have read in a very long time. I also really appreciated Martin's digging down to the root cause of black thought in relation to America - why, for example, many young black people leaned toward violence as a method to gain freedom and respect. The news of his imprisonment entered the 1960 presidential campaign when candidate John F. Kennedy made a phone call to Coretta Scott King. King never wrote an official autobiography. On December 1, 1955, they got another chance to make their case. Andrew Young Jr. was an activist for the civil rights movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr. King is the youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. One one level I an deeply ashamed that I am just reading this comprehensive, compelling, and courageous book taken from the writings and speeches of the man himself and on another level I am happy I am reading this in 2016 as the issues of racism, poverty, and war (King's self-described 3 evils) are still very much alive. He also earned a fellowship for graduate study. He married Alberta in 1926 after an eight-year courtship. A second march was canceled due to a restraining order to prevent the march from taking place. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King Jr., Clayborne Carson Book Review. In January 1957, King, Ralph Abernathy and 60 ministers and civil rights activists founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to harness the moral authority and organizing power of Black churches. I heard King's voice speaking every word of every chapter. On April 3, he gave his final and what proved to be an eerily prophetic speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” in which he told supporters at the Mason Temple in Memphis, "I've seen the promised land. The driver asked her again to give up her seat and again she refused. This is the example of a leader as Servant - a powerful man who dedicated his power not to the creation of personal wealth but to improving the conditions for millions of people. In April 1960, the SCLC held a conference at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina with local sit-in leaders. Civil rights leader Whitney Young Jr., head of the National Urban League, was at the forefront of racial integration and African American economic empowerment. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. King's struggle continued throughout the 1960s. To address this criticism, King began making a link between discrimination and poverty, and he began to speak out against the Vietnam War. I learned so much that I didn't know I didn't know. King was only 25 years old. It was like he was sitting next to you telling you the story of his life. Extremely engaging and very well compiled. Assassinated in 1968, King led a brief life filled with many great accomplishments, working to promote equal treatment of all races. The event was traumatic for King, more so because he was out watching a parade against his parents' wishes when she died. Other than that, I could have made better use of my time. He strongly discouraged any sense of class superiority in his children which left a lasting impression on Martin Jr. King had an older sister, Willie Christine, and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel Williams King. Flush with victory, African American civil rights leaders recognized the need for a national organization to help coordinate their efforts. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a well-known civil rights activist who had a great deal of influence on American society in the 1950s and 1960s. They were married in June 1953 and had four children, Yolanda, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott and Bernice. In 1969, Ray pleaded guilty to assassinating King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta on 15 January 1929. The bus driver noted that there were several white men standing and demanded that Parks and several other African Americans give up their seats. Rustin served as King's mentor and advisor throughout his early activism and was the main organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. In the spring of 1968, a labor strike by Memphis sanitation workers drew King to one last crusade. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Though his counsel was invaluable to King, many of his other supporters urged him to distance himself from Rustin. It was unfortunate that Martin Luther King Jr. did not get a chance to write his own autobiography, but Clayborne Carson does a wonderful job piecing together Martin's life struggles, highlights and main ideas. For Martin the civil rights movement began one summer in 1935 when he was six years old. He too became a successful minister and adopted the name Martin Luther King Sr. in honor of the German Protestant religious leader Martin Luther. In February 1960, a group of African American students in North Carolina began what became known as the Greensboro sit-in movement. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the legacy of the slain civil rights leader. With knowledge, spirit, good humor, and passion, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. brings to life a remarkable man whose thoughts and actions speak to our most burning contemporary issues and still inspire the desires, hopes, and dreams of us all. She is chief executive officer of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia. The one highlight for me was reading Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail. This "autobiography" left me hungry for the real story. His strong belief in nonviolent protest helped set the tone of the movement. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2018. He led non-violent protests to fight for the rights of all people including African Americans. Please try again. He was becoming discouraged at the slow progress of civil rights in America and the increasing criticism from other African American leaders. The author imagines conversations that Dr. King might have, and supports that with snippets of his writing. Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2018. From late 1965 through 1967, King expanded his civil rights efforts into other larger American cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles. Martin's revelations are timeless. (2) MLK is the kind of religious man we see way too rarely - a man who lives his beliefs every minute of every day. King's patient, non-violent approach and appeal to white middle-class citizens alienated many Black militants who considered his methods too weak, too late and ineffective. Christopher Hitchens). Everyone who wants to understand America should read this book. Page 242 and 294 Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Please try your request again later. King was elected to lead the boycott because he was young, well-trained with solid family connections and had professional standing. https://www.biography.com/activist/martin-luther-king-jr. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. Please try again. The greatest way to do that is through love. Check out the biography to know about his childhood, life and timeline. Often, it seemed as though the pattern of progress was two steps forward and one step back. Three other African American passengers reluctantly gave up their places, but Parks remained seated. I bought this book for a number of reasons. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the twentieth century's most influential men and lived one of its most extraordinary lives. When a mostly white jury acquitted the police officers who were caught on video beating Rodney King, it set off the L.A. riots of 1992. He continues to be remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational African American leaders in history. Reading from The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. When he went to one of the boys' house, their mother met him at the front door and told him in a rude tone tha… By 1960, King was gaining national exposure. King was not in the march, however, the attack was televised showing horrifying images of marchers being bloodied and severely injured. She sat in the first row of the "colored" section in the middle of the bus. Audio, Cassette, Abridged, Audiobook, Unabridged, Historical India & South Asia Biographies, Warner Books; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2001), Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2015. Martin Sr. stepped in as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church upon the death of his father-in-law in 1931. Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2018. But he met with increasing criticism and public challenges from young Black power leaders. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2020, Thoroughly enjoyed the read. But he was also new to the community and had few enemies, so it was felt he would have strong credibility with the Black community. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. gives an unprecedented insight into the man, not just as a community leader,but as a community member, a philosopher, a husband, and a father. In 1954, while still working on his dissertation, King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama. But soon after, King was imprisoned for violating his probation on a traffic conviction. King encouraged students to continue to use nonviolent methods during their protests. But Rustin was also a controversial figure at the time, being a homosexual with alleged ties to the Communist Party. The Washington Post needs a copy of this book. He married Jennie Celeste Parks and they had one child that survived, Alberta. But the African American community also took legal action against the city ordinance arguing that it was unconstitutional based on the Supreme Court's "separate is never equal" decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. By August of 1960, the sit-ins had been successful in ending segregation at lunch counters in 27 southern cities. Finally, there were a number of passages that could have been written today - so many points Martin made are as fresh as ever. Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2013. A generation of young people has come out of decades of shadows to face naked state power; it has lost its fears, and experienced the majestic dignity of a direct struggle for its own liberation. In his first speech as the group's president, King declared, "We have no alternative but to protest. Behind the Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation by Clarence B. Jones and Stuart Connelly. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. READ MORE: Martin Luther King Jr. and Martin Luther: The Parallels Between the Two Leaders. But we come here tonight to be saved from that patience that makes us patient with anything less than freedom and justice.". King was jailed along with large numbers of his supporters, but the event drew nationwide attention. In February 1958, the SCLC sponsored more than 20 mass meetings in key southern cities to register Black voters in the South. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. I plan to return to this tome often for inspiration. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. By the end of the Birmingham campaign, King and his supporters were making plans for a massive demonstration on the nation's capital composed of multiple organizations, all asking for peaceful change. I may not get there with you. It was here that King made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, emphasizing his belief that someday all men could be brothers, "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Instead of forcing a confrontation, King led his followers to kneel in prayer and they then turned back. In the big storm of Brexit it is a must to read about the struggles of the civil right movements in the US. We have sometimes given our white brothers the feeling that we liked the way we were being treated. A very enjoyable and educational read about a very strong willed and passionate man for freedom of all people through peaceful protest. A third march was planned and this time King made sure he was part of it. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All I can say after reading this book is WOW - what an amazing story. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches, I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World, Special 75th Anniversary Edition (Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929), Mohandas K. Gandhi, Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life (Penguin Lives Biographies), Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (King Legacy), The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, Dr. Carson was born in Buffalo, New York. During the work on his doctorate, King met Coretta Scott, an aspiring singer and musician at the New England Conservatory school in Boston. African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, who had studied Gandhi's teachings, became one of King's associates and counseled him to dedicate himself to the principles of nonviolence. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Reverend Bernice A. Martin Sr. was more the disciplinarian, while his wife's gentleness easily balanced out the father's strict hand. For many years we have shown an amazing patience. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Plans were in the works for another march on Washington to revive his movement and bring attention to a widening range of issues. https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/martin-luther-king-jr-biography Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil. I really recommend this, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2019. With entire families in attendance, city police turned dogs and fire hoses on demonstrators. Both King's and Nixon's homes were attacked. Coretta Scott King was an American civil rights activist and the wife of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther was a German monk who forever changed Christianity when he nailed his '95 Theses' to a church door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation. Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2016. The King children grew up in a secure and loving environment. However, King was personally criticized by Black and white clergy alike for taking risks and endangering the children who attended the demonstration. The Rev. His wife, Susan Ann Carson, is managing editor of the. Through his activism and inspirational speeches, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African American citizens in the United States, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Alabama governor George Wallace continued to try to prevent another march until President Lyndon B. Johnson pledged his support and ordered U.S. Army troops and the Alabama National Guard to protect the protestors. I became fascinated by Martin Luther King after visiting his memorial in Washington DC and standing on the spot where he did his famous speech to the nation. This book is excellent. The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1998) is a firsthand account of the life and work of one of the most important figures in recent American history: Martin Luther King Jr. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. King was a great man who accomplished great things. On March 7, 1965, a civil rights march, planned from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama's capital, turned violent as police with nightsticks and tear gas met the demonstrators as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The organization felt the best place to start to give African Americans a voice was to enfranchise them in the voting process. My greater understanding of the issues are thanks to this book. In the spring of 1963, King organized a demonstration in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. During his time at University Martin Luther King became aware of the vast inequality and injustice faced by black Am… The trip affected him in a profound way, increasing his commitment to America's civil rights struggle. King's eloquence inhabits every word, extracting through vivid imagery, emotional responses. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born in Atlanta at the beginning of the Great Depression, came across segregation and prejudice firsthand. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15,1929 - April 4, 1968) Dr. King was born Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin. "An Autobiography of Religious Development" | The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute As the bus traveled its route, all the seats in the white section filled up, then several more white passengers boarded the bus. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. His life and work have been honored with a national holiday, schools and public buildings named after him, and a memorial on Independence Mall in Washington, D.C. DOWNLOAD BIOGRAPHY'S MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.". King met with religious and civil rights leaders and lectured all over the country on race-related issues. Firstly, I knew precious little about the man who stands as a giant of history. READ MORE: How Martin Luther King Jr. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. There were a few sections that were duplicative, but overall I thought it was an excellent, absorbing read. The rising tide of civil rights agitation produced a strong effect on public opinion. Eye-opening, and insightful. He skipped both the ninth and eleventh grades, and entered Morehouse College in Atlanta at age 15, in 1944. For me, the important parts include: (1) The Montgomery bus strike lasted over a year. It was unfortunate that Martin Luther King Jr. did not get a chance to write his own autobiography, but Clayborne Carson does a wonderful job piecing together Martin's life struggles, highlights and main ideas. King's skillful rhetoric put new energy into the civil rights struggle in Alabama. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. We shall Overcome! Though they undoubtedly tried, King’s parents couldn’t shield him completely from racism. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Both his father and grandfather were pastors in an African-American Baptist church. Buy it if you want to read an outline of his life. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, King entered public school at age five. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Martin Luther King, Jr. Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Martin Luther King Jr.(born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptistminister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movementfrom 1955 until his assassinationin 1968. Actor, singer Dean Martin starred in several films with Jerry Lewis and belonged to the "Rat Pack," which included Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Ralph D. Abernathy was a Baptist minister who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a close adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a scholar and minister who led the civil rights movement. He had grown tired of marches, going to jail, and living under the constant threat of death. This book is a fitting testimony. Kennedy expressed his concern for King's harsh treatment for the traffic ticket and political pressure was quickly set in motion. Incredibly informative and captivating too. 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