The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 King's books, articles, essays, personal letters, and unpublished manuscripts, Clayborne Carson (historian, documentarian, and director of the King Papers Project) has crafted an excellent production that represents the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 Laney

Book Description

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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.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing short of inspiring.......2007-06-27

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.......2007-04-28

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.......2006-12-10

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

like Malcolm X's autobiography.......2006-05-25

I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X earlier this year, and it gave one radical image of the civil rights movement. Then I read the Autobiography of Martin Luther King, which gave another radical view of the civil rights movement. In my history class, I argued that MLK was over glorified by history, and none of the students read this book. It shows how he was a simple man who was tired of segregation and wanted to fight it, through nonviolent means.

But one must understand that this book, like X's autobiography, was edited by another person, it wasn't published directly by the subject. This book, just like X's, was edited from a collection of essays, interviews and statements the subjects made. So information could be filtered and manipulated to create a different image of the subject.

Excellent.......2006-04-03

I couldn't describe in words how amazing this book is. I read it and felt its beauty. The DVD, "USA THE MOVIE" also has excellent segments that are haunting in which Dr. King speaks over intense footage, DEFINITELY worth watching. I read this book twice and it left me thinking.

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The title says it all
Why We Can't Wait
why we can't wait
I Needed More
Compelling but Repetitive

Why We Can't Wait (Signet Classics)
Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451527534

Book Description

In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Civil Rights movement and demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action. Why We Can't Wait recounts not only the Birmingham campaign, but also examines the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that future generations must accomplish to bring about full equality for African Americans. Dr. King's eloquent analysis of these events propelled the Civil Rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of the American consciousness.

With a special new afterword by The Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Customer Reviews:

The title says it all.......2007-01-12

Martin Luther King's work is synonymous with the civil rights movement. His powerful words were the very driving force that helped African Americans change the mindset of America. Why We Can't Wait is thought provoking and extremely well written, making this an exceptional work of literary art.
Martin Luther King Jr. truly was a man of the written word. His ability to string words and create sentences that literally roll off the tongue is nothing short of a miracle. As soon as I picked up this book, I was intrigued by his style and voice. This novel seemed like a very long, well thought out speech. Diction is excellent and King is brilliant in conveying every thought, every feeling he experiences. This book includes his world-famous Birmingham jail notes, another work that is just exemplary. Martin Luther King demonstrated the extreme power of the written word. Martin Luther King had won his reputation with just his mind, voice, and a pencil. . I would advise this to any writer that wishes to improve on their voice, style, and tone.
I will have to admit though that his voice can get bland after too much exposure. Halfway reading through this book, I thought that he was making the same points over and over again in different sentence structures and so forth. His speech is prolonged and sometimes seems much to slow to endure. Martin Luther can spend a whole chapter talking about one incident by bombarding his writing with metaphors and stories that relate to the situation. After a while his voice is almost predictable. The whole book seemed to talk only about a few topics and it really did seem interminable.
Regardless, Martin Luther King was a man that knew full well how to mold people by using words and ideas. His perseverance and hard work should be a model to people of today. Why We Can't Wait is brilliant and should be read with deep respect.

Why We Can't Wait.......2007-01-12

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. is fascinating, read his book to understand the deepest and most personal thoughts of one of the most influential men in history! This book was a true "eye-opener" for me. History books fail to capture the true emotion and real personality of Martin Luther King Jr. King is commonly known by his "I had a Dream" speech, but after reading his autobiography, you will know that King has changed the world in more ways than one could ever imagine. His life is truly fascinating and hid writing is intriguing and suspenseful. It makes you contemplate how a man who has survived so many struggles and elements that are against him could have had such determination to persevere until his goal was reached.

Through this valuable account of history written by the most important figure in the movements for African Americans rights, one can see the true thought of such a genius character. Every detail of the Civil Rights movement is detailed, the amount of planning and courage that King and his peers were a part of is still unimaginable to this day. You become so involved in the Civil Rights movement when you read you feel as if you were a part of history itself! His thoughts on his most likely assassination, family and America itself can be read as well. This book is definitely a book that should be read in everyone's lifetime, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past of America, how far we have come to this day and how much more we still need to do to achieve racial equality.

why we can't wait.......2007-01-12

King practiced what he preached. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Why We Can't Wait tells the story of King under a whole new light - one that I have never took the time to patiently immerse myself in. I have always taken King's life for granted. I mean, I knew he was a great revolutionary leader, who preached civil disobedience, much like Gandhi. However, I never truly appreciated what he did for his people. This book lays out every aspect of his thoughts. He cared and prayed for not only blacks, but white also. He followed his values and principles.
Throughout the book, He takes you through the workings of his mind. Everything he does is done is an organized fashion, because he truly believes that his way will work as long as everyone participates. He has faith in what he does. His great speaking ability lends him credibility as his charisma appeals to his audience. He understands what his people want. King wants equality as soon as possible, but rushing is never the key. His poised and composed nature gives him patience in everything he does. As obstacles are thrown at him, King takes one step at a time to take care of one problem at a time. He knows that his people are being thrown into jail cells for performing what King preached, but he believes that civil disobedience is the only way to approach this situation. His nonviolence approach does appeal nationwide, and most blacks do follow as they were deeply inspired and moved by his beliefs. As he preached civil disobedience at all costs, he does what he says. He is later thrown in jail in the novel for what he believed. Even though he is the leader of his organization, he was unafraid to face the white jail cells. However, he worried, not about his own health, but his people outside. He was unable to communicate and fully engage meetings to organize more important rallies. Money was an issue as he was faced with conflicts, which arose as a result of white oppression.
Overall, King's account of his civil disobedience approach is insightful and thought provoking. Despite the dangers of his job, he still continues to rally people to a nonviolent solution. The book is written finely as King writes of his personal experiences in a first person point of view. I would recommend this book if you want to find out more about the inner workings of King's mind and struggles.
However, the book gets a bit boring time to time. Though every situation is a process and progress towards equality, the writing does get a bit repetitive and can be easily stated in less information. But the book does give a good account of King's life long struggle towards African American equality.

I Needed More.......2007-01-12

While I revere Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the hero of the Civil Rights Movement, I admit I was disappointed in Why We Can't Wait. Dr. King describes his past experience in the Civil Rights Movement and reflects on the positives of what have been done, and the need for society to continue progress beyond the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. This is a key point I'm glad Dr. King focuses his book on. The main problem I had with this book was that King's argument focuses on the good actions of his own church and its constituents but never describes further from there. Even as Dr. King portrays this struggle vividly and argues the necessity to continue the fight, I felt as though the power, the importance, and the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement were reduced to the union of the different religious groups involved. Dr. King didn't, at least not in this book, expand on some secular perspectives of the Civil Rights Movement. The one reference made in this book to other perspectives of the movement, of course besides the vicious racism of that time period, was to Elijah Muhammad's Black Nationalist movement. While Dr. King could have gone in to objectively criticize the problems with this movement, he instead implied that they were sinners in their own right. Since Dr. King's main message was that everyone work together to end racism, he could have offered that both sides put aside their differences and work together to achieve their common goal. But instead, Dr. King used religion instead of objective criticism to argue against Elijah Muhammad's Black Nationalism. Of course, one could argue that it makes perfect sense for Dr. King to argue with religious fervor since he originated as a reverend. But coming from someone who constantly spoke of uniting all Americans and of attempts to reach out beyond the African-American community, that wasn't the kind of thought provoking analysis I expected. Still, I can't honestly undermine how Dr. King brilliantly argues to the unsure reader of the 1960s why the Civil Rights Movement is essential not just to African Americans, but to all Americans. And yes, I know the sacrifices Dr. King made for the people of United States as he patiently fought against those who weren't even willing to consider this genius as their equal. He only needed to include different perspectives of the same fight.

Compelling but Repetitive.......2007-01-10

Why We Can't Wait reveals the mindset and determination of one of America's most prominent African American civil rights activists, Martin Luther King Jr., explaining how he and other demonstrators, like Fred Shuttlesworth, through a nonviolent approach, helped African Americans fight for a less segregated world. This novel not only traces important events, such as the Birmingham Campaign during the Civil Rights Movement but also expresses Martin Luther King's perspective and involvement in the movement. With help from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or SCLC, Martin Luther King Jr. organized protests and marches in Birmingham against Eugene "Bull" Connor, Commissioner of Public Safety during the Birmingham Campaign. Martin Luther King's tactic was to gather a mass of people to march along the streets. He followed the Gandhian principle to "fill up the jails" in Birmingham. Before marching, every person who joined with Martin Luther King Jr. had to sign a Commitment Card, pledging themselves to the nonviolent movement. Each protestor was taught to hold in their anger and avoid violence, even if it meant being sent to jail or being beaten. Once jails were filled, the people that were arrested were moved to the fairgrounds due to lack of space in jails. Protestors waved banners and practiced sit-ins at local lunch counters and kneel-ins at local churches, causing Bull Connor to be very aggravated. Bull Connor fought off the protestors using fire hoses and attack dogs, injuring both adults and children alike. The fire hoses were at one time reported to have been strong enough to "peel bark off trees and separate bricks from mortar." Martin Luther King's nonviolent approach against Bull Connor's violent attacks was broadcast throughout the nation on television and radio, acting as a catalyst for social change.
In his novel, Martin Luther King Jr. explains why the African Americans cannot wait any longer for change to happen, that the African Americans have to make the change happen themselves. King explains the idea of tokenism. The government, to stop protests and appease demonstrators, would promise freedom for only a small group of African Americans, giving hope to the other African Americans that they would be free. However, since the government only promised a few people freedom, the other African Americans had their hopes given up. King analyzes the religious revival and the unity of the African Americans toward a single cause. He also passes on the message that it is the future generation's responsibility to grant African Americans full equality in the land of the free. He encourages followers to solve their present problems and not leave them for their children to fix.
Although sometimes his points felt redundant, Martin Luther King Jr. supports all of his arguments very well through a hodgepodge of powerful analogies and metaphors that depict the forces behind the events of the Civil Rights movement. Through his analytic view and insightful thoughts of the time period, King paints a clear image of the struggles and hardships of the African Americans during the 1960's. Being a firsthand participant in the Civil Rights Movement, King's account relates the motivations behind the movement as well as the impact of the activists' efforts. If you like learning not just the facts of history but also the reasons behind history, then you will greatly enjoy Why We Can't Wait.

Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision (Gender and American Culture)

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More pieces of the puzszle
Phenomenal book about a phenomenal woman
a decisive American life--and a first rate biography

Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision (Gender and American Culture)
Barbara Ransby
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0807856169
Release Date: 2005-01-19

Book Description

One of the most important African American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement, Ella Baker (1903-1986) was an activist whose remarkable career spanned fifty years and touched thousands of lives.

A gifted grassroots organizer, Baker shunned the spotlight in favor of vital behind-the-scenes work that helped power the black freedom struggle. She was a national officer and key figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one of the founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and a prime mover in the creation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Baker made a place for herself in predominantly male political circles that included W. E. B. DuBois, Thurgood Marshall, and Martin Luther King Jr., all the while maintaining relationships with a vibrant group of women, students, and activists both black and white.

In this deeply researched biography, Barbara Ransby chronicles Baker's long and rich political career as an organizer, an intellectual, and a teacher, from her early experiences in depression-era Harlem to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Ransby shows Baker to be a complex figure whose radical, democratic worldview, commitment to empowering the black poor, and emphasis on group-centered, grassroots leadership set her apart from most of her political contemporaries. Beyond documenting an extraordinary life, the book paints a vivid picture of the African American fight for justice and its intersections with other progressive struggles worldwide across the twentieth century.

Customer Reviews:

More pieces of the puzszle.......2006-06-07

This was a great book. Ella Baker was ahead of het time.This is a great read if you like the history of the civil right movement.Ms. Baker I hope to meet you in heaven.

Phenomenal book about a phenomenal woman.......2005-12-09

Dr. Ransby provides a well-structured and insightful biography of one of the most important, yet least well-known, leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States. This book is strongly recommended for any student of modern U.S. history.

a decisive American life--and a first rate biography.......2003-05-29

Ella Baker must be the most underrated figure in U.S. history. There are plenty of Presidents who have done less to shape their own times than Ella Baker. She decisively shaped two of the most important national civil rights organizations--the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference--and was the single most decisive figure in a third--the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Only Martin Luther King Jr. can be considered a rival in importance to the African American freedom movement, and yet most Americans have never even heard of Ella Baker. This exhaustively researched and well written biography should go a long way toward filling that gap.

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.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Collection of Speeches.......2007-01-15

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!.......2002-11-28

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, which we 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.......2001-10-26

"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.......2000-10-21

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.......2000-06-21

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 the responsibilities and pressure he felt as the leader of this movement. He was a man who changed history. This book offers glimpses into his humanity as well as his motivational and inspirational speeches. A must for anyone interested in American history, the Civil Rights movement or in biographys. It will continue to effect you long after you have put the book down.

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King Speeches
Being one with history...

MLK: The Martin Luther King, Jr Tapes

Manufacturer: Jerden Records
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1885959044

Book Description

This historical compilation of Martin Luther King, Jr. features live recordings of "The Great March To Freedom," "The Great March To Washington" and the immortal "Free At Last" speech. Plus, a poignant eulogy by Robert F. Kennedy. Run time: 70:02

Customer Reviews:

King Speeches.......2006-03-20

I've searched for speeches by Dr.Martin Luther King and I was please with the choices available through Amazon. This is a good look back in history.

Being one with history..........2001-03-22

MLK: The Martin Luther King tapes is the first Audio CD I've ever purchased. I am a new student of our great orators, and Martin, from what I've read, is the best. One of my only regrets concerning Dr. King's speeches is that I haven't been able to hear them all as spoken by his eloquent, yet powerful oratory style. This Audio CD has eliminated my concern. I can now hear Dr. King anytime I want to at work. I feel like I'm right there, listening with his audience. If this product is any indication of what to expect from future Audio CD's by other great orators such as JFK, FDR, and even Winston Churchill, then count me in! The only reason for the four stars as opposed to five stars is due to the rudely shortened eulogy of Robert Kennedy during Dr. King's funeral. There should have been more of it.

An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King

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This should be taught in all schools
An Act of Confusion
The Conspiracy against King
Absolutely compelling reading
Knowledge is a Burden

An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King
William F. Pepper
Manufacturer: Verso
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1859846955

Book Description

William Pepper was a young journalist, just back from Vietnam, when he first met Martin Luther King Jr. His photographs and first-hand accounts of the war prompted King's unflinching commitment to oppose it. On April 15, 1967, Pepper proposed an alternative to the re-election of Lyndon Johnson to a cheering New York crowd. Dr. Benjamin Spock was to be King's running mate highlighting an anti-poverty and antiwar agenda. A year later Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. The movement for social and economic change in the US has never been substantially, successfully revived.

Doubts raised from an initial ten- year investigation and hours of interrogations of James Earl Ray prompted Pepper to take up his case. The King family, persuaded by the growing evidence, joined his struggle in 1996. At the 1999 trial seventy witnesses under oath set out the details of the conspiracy and the jury took an hour to find for the King family. It was ruled that a wide-running conspiracy existed and that government agents were involved. The story was effectively buried.

An Act of State lays out, in hair-raising detail, the facts of the case as it evolved. These tell a tragic story of King's powerful and significant radicalism, government plans for his execution that involved the military and the FBI, media cover-ups, and the corporate forces that were already claiming their hold on the nation's polity.

Customer Reviews:

This should be taught in all schools.......2007-06-19

I rode once in a pickup truck associated with a black college professor running for a city council seat, which was soot blackened because it had been fire bombed. That was in the early 1980s in a progressive university town. The threat of violence in reaction to political activism is not academic. It is out there and it is real.

It is chilling that one of Peppers' interviewees matter of factly states that he thinks the book will be buried, so his testimony can just be part of a record without his drawing consequence from providing it. The mainstream media certainly does bury stories that don't fit an establishment narrative. That they have done so in this case shall be a stain on the Fourth Estate for all time.

This is an important work. Every citizen should read this, and it should be taught in all the schools along with material on who King was. One of the things that Pepper does best, in addition to show a lot of persistence in seeking evidence, is reflect on King's value as one of America's leading thinkers of all time.

Given the state of the world, King's moral force is no less and his call to action to bring America back to its original vision still rings out like the echoing of the Liberty Bell.

I think that Pepper's work brings a lot of implications that need to be seriously addressed, especially since there might be some sort of connections or parallels to the JFK and RFK assassinations. What does this mean for any attempt to gain power for a more progressive vision of America in the future? What can we do to make sure our civil processes are not to be trumped by those with a will to do violence in response?

An Act of Confusion.......2006-05-05

William Pepper's exhaustive research could be better served-- An Act of State meanders in and out of consciousness with a loose structure and story line--it's confuing. There are seemingly several relevant and compelling theories layed out on King's murder but the book is so convoluted it is sometimes difficult to follow Pepper's aruguments or thesis if there is one. Lloyed Jowers, the centeral figure at the heart of the conspiracy surrounding King's murder (According to Pepper) is presented as a relativley one dimensional character? With so much riding on Jower's involvement the reader begs to know more about the credibility and character of the man who came out of the shadows and pronounced to the world a mass conspiracy of murder involving the New Orleans Mob (they always get blamed--think JFK) the FBI & Hoover, and the local MPD. One missing componenet in all Pepper's research is Hoover's motive--Hoover no doubt despised King, spied on him and thought him a hypocrite but why would he want to Marytr him by having him killed?? These are not stupid people, Hoover must of known King would be canonized if he was murdered and naturally Hoover would be subject of hate as being such a public adversary--Pepper brings forth the theory of "Raul" the gun runner and hired assasin--perhaps the most intriguing charcter...Overall worth reading--labor intensive--Something happened down in Memphis on April 4th in the shadows of the Lorraine and downtown but by reading this book-- Pepper and everyone else are none the wiser.

The Conspiracy against King.......2006-02-11

An excellent book, William Pepper's An Act of State can be read alongside Waldron and Hartmann's Ultimate Sacrifice, the best available book on the murder of JFK. The links between these two "hits" are particularly intriguing.

Absolutely compelling reading.......2006-01-16

This book is written by an English lawyer, who comes to these events with an analytical eye. He compiles evidence, and draws conclusions based on the evidence. The resulting portrait is not flattering to the US government. The evidence he cites points to apparantly rogue elements of the FBI and intelligence services actively involved in plotting and cover-up of the assasination attempt. This book deserves a film or investigation of its own, as it reverses the commonly-held view that a lone gunman succeeded in the assasination attempt. Taken in context with later relevations of J.Edgar Hoover's abuses of power, spying on US citizens, the Nixon Enemies list, The Pentagon Papers, the growing power of the mob over political figures, and the insidious intersection of the drug trade with the arms trade and politics, this book shows a way that institutionalized violence by elements of the US government can undercut the democratic process.
Students of English repression of the Irish, Indian colonies, double-dealing in Egypt and the Middle-East, and so on, will recognize the symptoms of absolute power corrupting absolutely. If the evidence in this book were demonstrated with the modern techniques of 3-dimensional (3-D) animation used in modern courtroom investigation, it would be even more convincing. As a sidenote, fans of the distinguished journalist Earl Caldwell will note how his eyewitness testimony (along with that of others) was ignored or contorted to the detriment of the evidence. If DNA analysis were available at the time this book was written, it is quite possible that the level of proof would be even more conclusive. This book, even at this late date, argues convincingly that the MLK investigation was absolutely inadequate. A potential remedy would be independent investigating commissions, perhaps under the aegis of the UN's Human Rights Commission. Modern investigations are failing to protect democracy and human rights; indeed, they are becoming part of the problem. An issue for schools of science to advance seriously, for the common good.

Knowledge is a Burden.......2005-09-22

Coretta Scott King recommends this book "to everyone who seeks the truth about Dr. King's assassination." I do as well, and furthermore, I recommend it to the majority of Americans who would rather NOT know the circumstances and reality concerning MLKJr's death. These are sad times when the government can bestow a memorial day upon a fallen hero, but continue to deny the reality of their own complicity and possible participation.

A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

Average customer rating:

What a dream!
Deep and moving
Timeless lessons
MLK "A Knock at Midnight" Sermon Series Review...

A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clayborne Carson , and Peter Holloran
Manufacturer: Hachette Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1594831009

Customer Reviews:

What a dream!.......2007-05-30

This set of Dr. King's sermons/speeches is a dream come true. To hear his powerful words coming from his own mouth is so inspirational. I'm really glad I purchased these. Arthur Dunklin, Ph.D.

Deep and moving.......2007-05-17

It's hard to believe Martin Luther King was 39 when he died. His eloquence can be heard in his famous speeches but the fullness of who he was, his spiritual depth, can only be heard in his sermons. These CDs are inspiring and profoundly moving. He is one of the greatest American preachers of all time and the greatest in the twentieth century.

Timeless lessons.......2007-02-27

I have had A Knock at Midnight in book and cassette tape form for many years, and at least twice a year I listen to them. The sermons are timeless, and make clear that we were in the presence of greatness when Dr. King was alive. Listening to this CD truly is inspirational. I have given them as gifts for years, and always receive heartfelt thanks.

MLK "A Knock at Midnight" Sermon Series Review..........2006-02-17

The sermon series is awesome!!! Each sermon has an introduction that gives the listener valuable tidbits about the sermon. You can feel the effect of MLK's powerful oration abilities. All of the sermons are still relevant today and anyone who has a pulse can benefit from listening to the set.

From Civil Rights to Human Rights: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Struggle for Economic Justice (Politics and Culture in Modern America)

Average customer rating:

Compelling new biography of King

From Civil Rights to Human Rights: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Struggle for Economic Justice (Politics and Culture in Modern America)
Thomas F. Jackson
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0812239695

Book Description

Winner of the 2007 Liberty Legacy Foundation Award of the Organization of American Historians for the best book on "any historical aspect of the civil rights struggle in the United States from the nation's founding to the present."

Martin Luther King, Jr., is widely celebrated as an American civil rights hero. Yet King's nonviolent opposition to racism, militarism, and economic injustice had deeper roots and more radical implications than is commonly appreciated, Thomas F. Jackson argues in this searching reinterpretation of King's public ministry. Between the 1940s and the 1960s, King was influenced by and in turn reshaped the political cultures of the black freedom movement and democratic left. His vision of unfettered human rights drew on the diverse tenets of the African American social gospel, socialism, left-New Deal liberalism, Gandhian philosophy, and Popular Front internationalism.

King's early leadership reached beyond southern desegregation and voting rights. As the freedom movement of the 1950s and early 1960s confronted poverty and economic reprisals, King championed trade union rights, equal job opportunities, metropolitan integration, and full employment. When the civil rights and antipoverty policies of the Johnson administration failed to deliver on the movement's goals of economic freedom for all, King demanded that the federal government guarantee jobs, income, and local power for poor people. When the Vietnam war stalled domestic liberalism, King called on the nation to abandon imperialism and become a global force for multiracial democracy and economic justice.

Drawing widely on published and unpublished archival sources, Jackson explains the contexts and meanings of King's increasingly open call for "a radical redistribution of political and economic power" in American cities, the nation, and the world. The mid-1960s ghetto uprisings were in fact revolts against unemployment, powerlessness, police violence, and institutionalized racism, he argued. His final dream, a Poor People's March on Washington, aimed to mobilize Americans across racial and class lines to reverse a national cycle of urban conflict, political backlash, and policy retrenchment. King's vision of economic democracy and international human rights remains a powerful inspiration for those committed to ending racism and poverty in our time.

Customer Reviews:

Compelling new biography of King.......2007-01-09

This is the most important and original book on Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. to be published in years. Jackson offers a persuasive account that challenges the conventional wisdom about King and his goals. King was not just the apostle of nonviolence. He was not just someone who wanted everyone to get along. King was a radical--who saw that personal transformation was not enough. Jackson shows how King saw the black freedom struggle as one of power and economics. This book is beautifully written and deeply researched. It will be impossible to think about King in the same way ever again after reading Jackson's account.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Average customer rating:

*Big on Impact - - MARTIN's WORDS RESONATE WITH RESULTS . . . *
I Like This Book!
Awesome Book!
Martin's big words the life of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. By Doreen Rapport
The rare little children's bio of Dr. King

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Doreen Rappaport
Manufacturer: Jump At The Sun
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Politics & Government | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786807148
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com

Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor and collage illustrations, balancing glorious recreations of stained glass windows with some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus that pitched Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology and bibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is an exquisite tribute to a world hero. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., authorDoreen Rappaport combines her spare, lyrical text with King's own words for aneffective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rightsleaders. From King's youth, when he looked up to his preacher father and vowedone day to "get big words, too," to his death at a garbage workers' strike ("Onhis second day there, he was shot. He died."), Rappaport imbues the story withreverence.Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor andcollage illustrations, balancing glorious recreations of stained glass windowswith some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus thatpitched Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology andbibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is an exquisitetribute to a world hero. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews:

*Big on Impact - - MARTIN's WORDS RESONATE WITH RESULTS . . . *.......2006-03-22

The awesome simplicity of Doreen Rappaport's text is perfectly complemented by the artistry of Bryan Collier's water colors and clever collage in this stunning book. Their talents combine to make one weep.

"Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."

Dr. King grew from boyhood immersed in love, and on August 28, 1963, his words carried the length of the Mall in Washington D.C., and to all the citizens and the world. The words resonated with integrity and passion and Old Testament cadences. I, too, stayed with little children at home but was filled with gratitude and an inescapable sense of History . . . proud to have family represent us in that throng marching for justice and peace.

"When the history books are written
someone will say there lived black people
who had the courage to stand up for their rights."

The illustrations are a treat - - a gift to linger over - - from the remarkable stained glass, simple to intricately defined - - to the torn fabric of our nation - - to the symbolic candles in the 'final frame.'

Reviewer mcHAIKU hopes we never forget Martin Luther King's MIGHTY WORDS, and our responsibility to a great man and his message.

I Like This Book!.......2006-01-26

I am Alex, a third grader in California. I like this book because it is fantastic. I learned to fight with words. It is a nice way to entertain yourself. You should buy it because I know you will like it a lot.

Awesome Book!.......2006-01-21

I was first introduce to this book in an undergraduate elementary education course. I purchased it instantly. I have used it with Kindergarten, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. All the children love it! The illustrations are very unique and colorful. The story is on a level they can understand. It is not bogged down with too many details and is not to lengthy. I highly recommend this book, not only to educators and parents, but to the public in general. Everyone should read this book about the wonderful man who has influenced our society in such a profound and positive way.

Martin's big words the life of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. By Doreen Rapport.......2005-10-29

The book that I read was Martin Luther King Jr the book is good . On, 1/15/29 martin Luther king jr was born in Atlanta Georgia. On, June/18/1953 got married. In, 1968 he was shot and died. Martin Lther king jr, was a Chrishian. He is black. In church martin sang hymns. He read from the bible.

The rare little children's bio of Dr. King.......2005-03-02

When I first started reviewing children's books on Amazon.com I gave myself a long list of rules to follow. And one of those rules stated that I was not to read other reviews of a book on the site until AFTER I'd written my own review. I wanted my little writings to remain unsullied and pure, filled only with my own thoughts (which I obviously mistook to be brilliant) and feelings. After a while though I gave up on this rule. By and large (and this is not speaking for all reviews... just 90% of them) a review for a children's book goes something along the lines of "It was good, my four-year-old requests it every night, buy this book, etc.". Nothing too shocking or revealing. So I grew lazy. I started reading other reviews of picture books long before I sat down to actually write a review of my own. Just moments ago I went to do the same thing for the beautiful picture book, "Martin's Big Words". This book was on my list of must-reads because it had garnered itself a Caldecott Honor years before. So I went to the appropriate Amazon.com page (much as you are now) and read the first review on the list. At the time, it was an unassuming July 18, 2002 review entitled, "There's Something Wrong Here...". I read the review. I digested the review. And I came to the inescapable opinion that the points raised in the review were good ones. Ones that I should consider, dare I say, in my OWN review. This is unprecedented. Never has a review for a book, a children's book, really hit home for me like this one did. So to that mysterious reader who thought to make a point back in 2002, I commend you. And to myself, a mental whipping for breaking my own rules. It's a hard act to follow, but I've a point or two of my own to make and I'm gonna make `em.

Now as a children's librarian I get a whole heaping helpful of small children coming in around January 17th (or just before) requesting books on Martin Luther King Jr. For the older children, such requests are usually easy enough to fulfill. But for little ones with short attention spans and even shorter vocabularies, the choices are limited. Fortunately, there's, "Martin's Big Words". A beautiful encapsulation of the life of the great man, the book shows Martin as a child, first encountering the insanity of segregation. We see him grow up and preach a gospel of love and acceptance. Following this are small looks at the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, civil rights marches, and his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. Finally, while marching with striking garbage collectors (a fact not often mentioned in children's biographies of King), he was shot and killed. Says the book at the end, "His big words are alive for us today".

The book is stunning to look at, you know. The endpapers consist of pane after pane of brown, peach, amber, and umber stained glass. Taken together, the stained glass appears to be a variety of different skin tones all working together to make something beautiful. Using collage, illustrator Bryan Collier peppers his unique style with symbolic images (such as four lit candles placed in remembrance of the girls killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist church). In the rest of the book, Collier's images leap off the page. They're bright, colorful and eclectic. Combined with author Doreen Rappaport's elegant eloquent narrative, children get a full understanding of the courage and greatness behind Dr. King's life and actions.

So what about the complaints of this book? Let's examine them fully. First of all, one criticism is that in the image of the civil rights march there are thirteen men on display, none of whom are either white or female. This is true. And it is a little odd. Not don't-buy-this-book odd. Just why-did-the-illustrator-make-that-choice odd. From looking at the picture I can only assume that Collier was working off a snapshot of a portion of a march from the past and didn't notice that it was a bit skewed. The other criticism of the book is that whites are only portrayed as evil rednecks that want to kill Dr. King. I dunno. The book says plenty of things about diversity and the coming together of the races. As for the lack of positive white images, I admit they're not present in this particular book. However, the world is filled to overflowing with books that DO present positive images of white people. As a white person myself, I'm sick to death of 'em. And I'd gladly exchange four or five hundred such books for a single one that was half as beautifully illustrated and written as "Martin's Big Words".

So yeah, the book has a flaw here or there. But it also fills a need. However important you deem it that your children see positive images of whites during the Freedom Marches is your prerogative. But don't pass "Martin's Big Words" by because it fails to fully display the diversity of the 60s in your eyes. It's a great book with a great message. It's also one of the few King bios that'll capture your seven-year-old's attention for longer than a minute. A great addition to any library and a necessary purchase for anyone who wants to teach their small child about a magnificent man.

Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Perennial Classics)

Average customer rating:

Riveting It's Not
The heavy burden of being a hero
Very good biography on MLK
Marked Black History
required reading

Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Perennial Classics)
David Garrow
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060566922
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Amazon.com

In this 1987 Pulitzer Prize winner, David J. Garrow, through extensive interviews, and access to F.B.I. transcripts, delves deeply into both Dr. Martin Luther King's leadership role and his private life. He attributes King's moral and physical courage to his religious faith: King believed that he had literally been called to do the Lord's work. But from 1965, when the F.B.I. taped King in sexual encounters and sent the tape to S.C.L.L. headquarters, his associates noted a "spiritual depression", even a "death wish." Fear that exposure would ruin his public work dogged him until his assassination in 1968. While documenting the F.B.I.'s dirty tricks, Garrow never loses sight of King's achievement and vision, nor of the poignancy of King's belief that "the cross is something that you bear and ultimately that you die on."

Book Description

Winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Biography and the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, this is the most comprehensive book ever written about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Based on more than seven hundred interviews with all of King's surviving associates, as well as with those who opposed him, and enhanced by the author's access to King's personal papers and tens of thousands of pages of FBI documents, this is a towering portrait of a man's metamorphosis into a legend.

Customer Reviews:

Riveting It's Not.......2007-01-26

You must have to really work to turn a life so packed full of meaning and world-changing events into a snoozer of a book. I have no idea how "Bearing the Cross" received a Pulitzer Prize -- certainly not on the basis of its prose. While the author undoubtedly did an enormous amount of research, the book reads like a high school history essay; i.e. a monotonously linear string of events -- "Then King did this; then he did that; then they had an SCLC meeting; blah, blah, blah...". The book virtually no character development; in fact everyone but King are merely names on a page. It took a herculean effort to slog through the 600+ pages, but perhaps the book wasn't meant to be read straight through. Maybe this is one of those research tomes meant for reference by historians -- check out the ample index for the names, places and events you're interested in at the moment and read only snippets at a sitting.

Despite being far too long, the book has a couple major oversights. First, there are no photographs whatsoever -- for someone as widely seen on TV and newspapers as King, couldn't they have sprung for a few pages showing historical events? Second, the book abruptly ends with the assassination -- when King dies so does the book -- nothing on the national reaction to his death, nothing on Ray or the motivation for/theories around the killing.

In sum, great research, poor writing. Perhaps Taylor Branch can edit his multi-volume set into a readable single-volume account. Until then, look elsewhere for a good King biography.

The heavy burden of being a hero.......2004-05-11

BEARING THE CROSS is a very detailed book on the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., American hero, civil rights activist, preacher and admirer of Ghandi and his nonviolent approach to social change. King came to the forefront of the mid-century civil rights movement when Rosa Parks, a seamstress, refused to move from her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. It wasn't the first time a black woman had been tossed out of her seat in the Black section of the bus when a white customer needed a seat. Along with the removal usually went insults and threats and Ms. Parks just wasn't having it that time. The local activists asked King, a new preacher at Dexter Baptist Church, if he would take on the responsibility. Reluctantly, he agreed to do so and thus began the legend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Over the years, Dr. King has taken on an almost mythical position in the civil rights movement. Those who were present at the time find themselves wondering if the Dr. King they remember is the same man that is now raised in the American consciousness. He is frequently given a saintly aura that leads children reading about him in history books to believe there was never anyone like him before and that there can never be another like him again. David J. Garrow dispels those myths as he lets us in on the life of the man who led this country to reconsider its segregationist behavior. We see Dr. King when he is depressed and feeling unworthy of his position in the movement, when he is being a chauvinist about his wife, those moments when he smokes and drinks too much and Garrow gives credence to the rampant rumors that he had women in his life other than Coretta.

In addition to the very humanness of King, we also get to witness the foibles of the United States as it dealt with its Black citizens. We get to know the actions of three presidents of the United States, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, as they vacillated about the civil rights movement. None of them wanted to upset the Southern voting population so they tended to send mixed messages: on one hand they knew that Blacks were being treated unfairly but to offer help through legislation, federal troop protection for besieged nonviolent marchers or verbal support for the movement was beyond where they wanted to go. The levels to which the FBI stooped to discredit King are by themselves, phenomenal. Each of the presidents was definitely aware that King's rights as a citizen of this country were being abused as his home, his phones, his motels, hotels and friends were wiretapped. The agency also used the illegally acquired information to terrorize and blackmail Dr. King. Not one of them objected to this horrendous invasion of privacy.

BEARING THE CROSS is a definite must read for every caring citizen of the United States who has a desire to understand and appreciate the civil rights movement, the life and times of Dr. King and the role that the country has played in keeping some of its citizens in bondage. I would also recommend it as a reference book for the civil rights movement.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Very good biography on MLK.......2004-02-17

This Pulitzer Prize winning biography proves to be superbly reseached and well written (although bit dry for some) account of the great civil right leader. However, the book seem to be geared around his public life and his involvment with the Civil Rights movement of SCLC. Although this part of his life seem to be well documented and covered, the book don't tell us much about King's private life, his relationship with his family, or his sexual indiscretions and his own relationship on the personal level with so many of his fellowers, friends and rivials.

But its a superb coverage of King's Civil Rights involvement and actually tell a sad story of man who was definitely over reaching the limits of his own personal, mental and physical endurance. A good example would be how MLK's venture in the Vietnam War which definitely overextended his reach when so much still needed to be done on the Civil Rights front. This distraction also cost him friends and allies who could have helped him on that issue which should have been the main focus of MLK. I guess he lost focus in the end. I am bit surprised that the book didn't make any commentary on the legacy of MLK or anything like that. The book stopped with his death which almost sound like a blessing for MLK who seem at the end of his life, an unhappy man, totally stress out and overwhelmed by his burdens.

But as biography goes, I thought this book was honest and interesting picture of a man. And thats good in my opinion, MLK was a man with combination of greatness and flaw that the book clearly points out with a great deal of objectivity. I thought it was kind of an ironic statement when the author stated that the only people who really knew MLK were his closest friends and the FBI who wiretapped him.

I should note that this may not be an ideal chocie for first time reader of MLK since there are overwhelming amount of material in this book which may create an information overload for some people.

My paperback book didn't have any photos which I thought to be bit strange. Book like this need photos. But overall, this is the best biography I have read on MLK regarding his public life. Will there ever be one of his private life??

Marked Black History.......2003-09-21

This is the most comprehensive MLK book you can get and it helped me through the 20th century as I wrote a short-short on Black history entitled "Who is We?" available @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singinsagg. The book spans black history and the agonizing period of slavery from 1441, all across the Americas. It brings you to the period of segregation and tell of the arts that blacks are known for and traces the life of MLK, blacks in film, musical emerges such as gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae, and hip-hop (rap).

required reading.......2001-10-24

Although not completed I already have the idea that it should be required reading for Seniors in High School and/or a Freshman College requirement. After all it is a most significant event of modern day history along with the civil war and both world wars. David Garrow simultaneously celebrates and condemns human nature by revealing the courage and strength of Dr. King and his followers even as his wife and daughter are attacked with fire bombs by the hateful white mobs. A very compelling beginning story of Rosa Parks... the injustices and inhumane treatment she suffered at the hands of a hate filled people...sets the stage for a work that could begin a lesson in tolerance and unity for our next generations. I unfortunately believe we are still condemned to live our hateful existence in A