book data
346 ratings,
4.46
average rating, 47 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
July 1st 1964
by Signet
(first published 1000)
details
Mass Market Paperback, 160 pages
isbn
0451627547
(isbn13: 9780451627544)
description
Martin Luther King's explanatin of the events, forces and pressures behind today's and tomorrow's quest for civil rights.
find at:
Amazon • WorldCat • more options…
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 562)
All ratings
|
5 stars (208)
|
4 stars (97)
|
3 stars (34)
|
2 stars (6)
|
1 star (1)
|
avg 4.46
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2010
This is a great book, and I was especially moved by reading (again?) the fifth chapter, "Letter from Birmingham Jail," written in April 1963.
The book is mostly about "the Negro Revolution" that centered in Birmingham in 1963. What we know now that King didn't know when he wrote the book, is that his and others' actions in 1963 led to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which did much to overcome racial segregation in this country.
As we celebrate Ma...more
The book is mostly about "the Negro Revolution" that centered in Birmingham in 1963. What we know now that King didn't know when he wrote the book, is that his and others' actions in 1963 led to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which did much to overcome racial segregation in this country.
As we celebrate Ma...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1996
recommends it for:
anyone too shallow to get it on their own
afterwards, some things are just better understood.
and other things are infinitely more depressing.
and other things are infinitely more depressing.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Wow ..I am totally fascinated by dr. king, words …
In this book dr. king, the leader of the civil-rights movement, talked about the conditions and the social, political, religious and economic circumstances that crystallized the birth of the new Negros' revolution, and how things started in Birmingham 1963.
He described the extreme oppression and injustice that they used to face. While I was reading this book, my mind just couldn't stop picturing an endless series of sce...more
In this book dr. king, the leader of the civil-rights movement, talked about the conditions and the social, political, religious and economic circumstances that crystallized the birth of the new Negros' revolution, and how things started in Birmingham 1963.
He described the extreme oppression and injustice that they used to face. While I was reading this book, my mind just couldn't stop picturing an endless series of sce...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
human beings
Obviously an important book, although I think it's not the best introduction into the Civil Rights movement because MLK references so many people, places, and events that it can be hard to keep everyone and everything straight.
The beginning of the book deals with "tokenism" and general attitudes of the time, especially segregation. Secondly, MLK deals with the non-violent approach to his struggle. Third, "Letter From Birmingham Jail" takes up an entire chapter, as...more
The beginning of the book deals with "tokenism" and general attitudes of the time, especially segregation. Secondly, MLK deals with the non-violent approach to his struggle. Third, "Letter From Birmingham Jail" takes up an entire chapter, as...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2009
Basically a description of the civil rights movement in 1963. Chapters 3-6 are the heart of the "action" and the other chapters are the introduction and the "what will happen next" sections. Written only a year after the events described, the vision of the future is fairly limited. Not a comprehensive civil rights book, but an amazing look into breaking down the barriers in one of the most segregated cities in America. I also liked hearing about Martin Luther King Jr's day to...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I read this book in high school at a time when I was just beginning to truly understand the Civil Rights movement. This book changed my life. I don't care if that sounds cliche or whatever, but there is no way a person can read a book like Why We Can't Wait, and experience Dr. Martin Luther King's more than deeply profound rhetoric of freedom and equality and then turn around and aim for mediocrity. I have a lot more to say but I shall save my thoughts and pour them into action.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
It’s easy (at least for me) to pigeon-hole Dr. King’s ideas into the one phrase ideology of “I have a dream”. Before reading this book I thought of Martin as a somewhat passive activist, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear his tone of intensity.
Sure, King will never be the revolutionary Malcolm X was, but he’s also not the peaceful fellow preached in our public schools. Great short read. Definitely recommend.
Sure, King will never be the revolutionary Malcolm X was, but he’s also not the peaceful fellow preached in our public schools. Great short read. Definitely recommend.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2001
Talk about a relevant read for our current times....I read it long ago and think it may be time to pick it up again. If you haven't read his works, you should. Reading them is humbling, thought provoking, and should be required in school. With February upon us it cannot hurt.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Owns a copy
—
Read in November, 2009
It took me years and years (I was slackin', I know) but I finally read this classic work by Bro. Rev. Dr. King. His words are so moving, especially in the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." If you haven't read, it's definitely time to read it!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Dr King tells the story of the Birmingham campaign, and why 1963, the hundredth anniversary of the Emacipation Proclamation, was a pivotal year in US history. Includes the brilliant Letter from Birmingham Jail.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is a remarkable book. A total and delightful read. Dr. King's ability to lay out the Negro's case is unquestionably the best I have read to date. No other writer or author speaks so boldly and yet so timely about the destiny of Slave and Free.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I really liked The Autobiography of Malcolm X in high school, and X had a lot of negative things to say about King and his philosophies, so I was a little surprised with how much I liked the book. I wasn't too surprised to find that I disagreed with Malcolm X, but I was a little surprised at how much my mindset about King had been affected by X. This is some of the most readable and approachable rhetoric from the civil rights era. It reads like a memoir but carries the same punch as other strong...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 1999
MLK's quintessential document of his beliefs and philosophies about ending racial oppression in America.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
the u.s. civil rights history you never learned in school and just how relevant it is today.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
"Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?... Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church... Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body throu...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2008
These are the inspiring words of a Prophet.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1999
essential reading for Civil Rights history
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
A must read for every American. And for any people struggling with state-sponsored oppression, discrimination and intimidation. King's account of the events of 1963 is riveting and inspiring. His argument for non-violent direct action is compelling even today. It was especially moving to read this book just as Barack Obama became the front-runner for the Democratic ticket to the White House. Talk about a dream come true that would be if Obama were to become President of the US.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
"Groups tend to be more immoral than people." King relays his experiences in the war against white power structures in Birmingham, AL.
I knew King was an awesome organizer and public speaker, I didn't, however, know how down-right smart he is. This book gives some awesome insight into King's mind, and the soul of non-violent protest. He considers himself and the civil rights crusaders "gadflies" - agitators rousing the nation to change.
I knew King was an awesome organizer and public speaker, I didn't, however, know how down-right smart he is. This book gives some awesome insight into King's mind, and the soul of non-violent protest. He considers himself and the civil rights crusaders "gadflies" - agitators rousing the nation to change.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
1 trivia question
See trivia...
to-read
(on 136 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 18 people's shelves)
history (on 14 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 11 people's shelves)
politics (on 7 people's shelves)
favorites (on 5 people's shelves)
essays (on 4 people's shelves)
classics (on 4 people's shelves)
More shelves...
currently-reading (on 19 people's shelves)
non-fiction (on 18 people's shelves)
history (on 14 people's shelves)
nonfiction (on 11 people's shelves)
politics (on 7 people's shelves)
favorites (on 5 people's shelves)
essays (on 4 people's shelves)
classics (on 4 people's shelves)
More shelves...
groups with this book
