Book Description

Book Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 6061 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Book Description
More than two decades since his death, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideas--his call for racial equality, his faith in the ultimate triumph of justice, and his insistence on the power of nonviolent struggle to bring about a major transformation of American society--are as vital and timely as ever. The wealth of his writings, both published and unpublished, that constitute his intellectual legacy are now preserved in this authoritative, chronologically arranged, multi-volume edition. Faithfully reproducing the texts of his letters, speeches, sermons, student papers, and articles, this edition has no equal.
Volume One contains many previously unpublished documents beginning with the letters King wrote to his mother and father during his childhood. We read firsthand his surprise and delight in his first encounter (during a trip to Connecticut) with the less segregated conditions in the North. Through his student essays and exams, we discover King's doubts about the religion of his father and we can trace his theological development. We learn of his longing for the emotional conversion experience that he witnessed others undergoing, and we follow his search to know God through study at theological seminaries. Throughout the first volume, we are treated to tantalizing hints of his mature rhetorical abilities, as in his 1945 letter to the Atlanta Constitution that spoke out against white racism.
Each volume in this series contains an introductory essay that traces the biographical details of Dr. King's life during the period covered. Ample annotations accompany the documents. Each volume also contains a chronology of key events in his life and a "Calendar of Documents" that lists all important, extant documents authored by King or by others, including those that are not trnascribed in the document itself.
The preparation of this edition is sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta with Stanford University and Emory University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The young MLK
Volume 1 of the King papers goes to 1951, when M.L. King, Jr., was 22.There are childhood letters to parents, but more interesting are student essays from Morehouse and Crozer, which show King gaining confidence and sophistication as his education progressed. ... Read more

Book Description
Let freedom ring from every hilland molehill of Mississippi. Fromevery mountaintop, let freedomring. --Martin Luther King, Jr. From the dusty back roads of Montgomery, Alabama, to the legendary March on Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King, Jr., brought a stirring message of peace, equality, and justice to a divided people. He aspired only to be a Baptist minister, but by the time he was tragically assassinated in 1968 at the age of thirty-nine, he had led a movement that destroyed segregation in the South, and he had won the Nobel Prize for Peace.Now, a quarter century after his death, his words are as significant and moving as they were in the 1960s. Watts burns today as it did then; issues of race, justice and human dignity are still the most critical problems facing our nation. This handsome quotation book represents the finest of the Reverend King's words; it is a classic volume compiled from his essays, lectures, and speeches by his wife, Coretta Scott King. Excerpts form his most famous speech-"I Have a Dream" and "I've Been to the Mountaintop"-are included, as well as equally powerful but lesser known quotations. King's vision of healing and forgiveness is a timeless message that American can ill afford to ignore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMPANION:QUOTATIONS FROM THE SPEECHES,ESSAYS,&BOOKS OF MARTIN LUTHER LUTHER KING,JR.
THIS WAS AN AWESOME MAN!! HE WAS TRULY A GOD SEND AND A BLESSING TO BLACK PEOPLE AS A WHOLE AND ALL WHO LISTENED, BELIEVED AND LEARNED FROM HIS MESSAGES AND SPEECHES!! A TRUE BLACK KING!! THIS BOOK IS A COLLECTORS ITEM AND A TRUE HEIRLOOM OF A BLACK LEGACY!!!! ... Read more

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

Book Description
Tells the amazing story of struggle and triumph of one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders.

In this groundbreaking new series, DK brings together fresh voices and DK design values to give readers the most information-packed, visually exciting biographies on the market today. Full-color photographs of people, places, and artifacts, definitions of key words, and sidebars on related subjects add dimension and relevance to stories of famous lives that students will love to read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Dream Lives On for All of Humanity
This is an extraordinary book, sharing the human struggles for freedom from oppression, details of "how" to proceed in order for positive change to prevail, and cites incredible examples to teach our children until humanity is viewed equally, rather than judged unethically.

This is a book that would do well for our children to read. The examples of courage, the kind that comes from the heart, and endures no matter how dark appearances seem to be shows that anyone can prevail when truth is sought over might.

The book is inspiring, and a light for all.

A Dream Becomes a Reality
"I have a dream that my four little 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. I have a dream today!" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Amy Pastan has created a photographic story with fascinating details and a fresh perspective based on the latest research. Through reading this biography, children will learn about inhumane segregation laws and why racism is wrong. Definition boxes teach children about nonviolent resistance or grassroots movements.

After a trip to India, Martin decided to use Gandhi's nonviolent methods to promote change. This book teaches children that there are ways to change the world without violence and it also shows how resilient you have to be to see change occur in your lifetime. What is really striking about this book is the stories of how students endured such hatred in order to achieve their goals.

Amy Pastan also tells the story of how Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." In this letter he wrote: " Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."

There are inspiring stories of great bravery as children take to the streets to protest and demand their freedom. As men march with bold signs that read: "I Am a Man," demonstrators start to demand to be respected as a human being.

On the last few pages, the author explains why Martin Luther King's birthday has become an occasion where students learn about civil rights and why many dedicate the day to spiritual reflection or sponsor activities that promote change.

"Our dreams will sometimes be shattered and our ethereal hopes blasted....Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

~The Rebecca Review
... 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
The Lift and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr.On April 4, 1968, a shot rang out in Memphis, Tennessee, killing the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The leader of the civil rights movement was dead, felled by an assassin's bullet. Who was Martin Luther King, and why do we remember him? Award-winning author James Haskins chronicles Dr. King's life and the circumstances surrounding his death. With an afterword.

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Book!
This book was about the life of a hero, Martin Luther King, Jr.It tells us how he served his community.There were interesting pictures.Our fifth grade class learned a lot about African-American history through thisbook.

I very much enjoyed this factual book
I feel that this book was written very thoroughly.It included indepth facts that really let the reader know what happened.This book was obviously researched heavily, and I congradulate the author on writing such a magnificent book.Although it was not really my choice in reading this book, I am glad that I had, for it has greatly enhanced my knowledge of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.I, being a fifteen year old sophomore student of Penn High School, find this a great book to use in researching Dr. King's past events, assassination, murder(s), and conspiracy theories.It was well written, and could be easily understood by young readers.I would highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. -Thank You ... Read more