Using Stanford University's voluminous collection of archival material, including previously unpublished writings, interviews, recordings, and corr...
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Jan 16, 2012
Adam
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This is not quite a true autobiography, but rather a collection of King's writings and speeches throughout his life, edited and assembled by a third party. I found this disappointing because it lacked the benefit of hindsight perspective that a biographer could have brought, but also doesn't necessarily have the personal tone and thesis of an autobiography.
I listened to this in audio form, which included many recordings of King's sermons and speeches. This gives a firsthand glimpse a More...
I listened to this in audio form, which included many recordings of King's sermons and speeches. This gives a firsthand glimpse a More...
Jan 19, 2011
Jenny
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The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. gives an overview of the major movements in King's life, from his childhood, up until his death. Although the book is written in King's own words, the book is actually a compilation of his various writings: essays, sermons, speeches, letters, etc. Because of his untimely death, King was not able to write his own autobiography. King's wife enlisted the historian of Stanford University (Clayborne Carson) to go through King's extensive writings to put
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Mar 23, 2010
Dennis
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Now I’ve been to the mountaintop, and shared a glimpse of the grand dream about humankind dwelling peacefully in racial harmony, watching out and caring for the poor and disadvantaged alike. The editor does a competent and credible job piecing together what Dr. King might have said in an autobiography by referencing voluminous original source material. The result reads like a historical personal account of the 1950s and 60s with an obvious focus on civil rights efforts in the American Deep Sou
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Aug 18, 2010
AmyLyn
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This was an amazing book, very well put-together. Even though it was compiled post-humously, the editor did an excellent job of staying true to Dr. King and I think he would have approved this book. My only complaint about this book was that it simply ended. I shouldn't have been surprised (afterall it's an autobiography by a man who was assasinated), however, I guess I was expecting a bit of an afterword or editorial about his death and the effects it had on the movement. I'm sure I'll be a
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Feb 08, 2012
Michael
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The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
By: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
This was an amazing book and very well put-together. The editor did an excellent job of staying true to Dr. King and I think he would have approved this book. This book tells the story of his life and all his struggles to get black rights. I also like how the editor ended this book. The abrupt ending of this book after the assassination really highlighted the tragedy of his shor More...
By: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
This was an amazing book and very well put-together. The editor did an excellent job of staying true to Dr. King and I think he would have approved this book. This book tells the story of his life and all his struggles to get black rights. I also like how the editor ended this book. The abrupt ending of this book after the assassination really highlighted the tragedy of his shor More...
Feb 21, 2011
Tanya
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"We have allowed the poor to become invisible, and we have become angry when they make their presence felt. But just as nonviolence has exposed the ugliness of racial injustice, we must now find ways to expose and heal the sickness of poverty - not just its symptoms, but its basic causes." (p. 262)
If we can equitably educate our children, we can begin to heal the pervasive sickness of poverty.
"Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige of segre More...
If we can equitably educate our children, we can begin to heal the pervasive sickness of poverty.
"Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige of segre More...
Apr 21, 2011
Matthew
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This is a great compilation of Luther's writing sermons etc. What an inspiring person Martin Luther King Jr was. We live in an age today when too few people are prepared to stand up and fight for what really matters - no matter what the cost. (Though I guess it has been the same through every generation!)
King was not a "black activist" he was a "freedom activist"and it came through loud and clear in his writings and sermons. I love the passion of this man. It was More...
King was not a "black activist" he was a "freedom activist"and it came through loud and clear in his writings and sermons. I love the passion of this man. It was More...
Sep 24, 2010
Cameron
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I found this book very thought provoking and, in many ways, inspiring. It was interesting to get to know his background and his development on a personal level. I was impressed especially by the early days of his movement, and now appreciate more fully the sacrifices he and his contemporaries had to make to earn their freedoms. I confess to losing interest later in the book and skimmed much of the last of the audiobook. The speeches and lectures seemed much similar to the early content. Sti
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Apr 10, 2011
Carla
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In school we listened to and read some of Martin Luther King's speeches and in recent years I had read a sermon or two of his, but that was the breadth of my experience with his work. Having now read the autobiography, I think it should be required reading in high schools.
As many reviewers have mentioned, it is a little strange to call it an autobiography. However, there is so much first hand accounts that I don't really have a problem with it. I don't think that the editor, Clayborn More...
As many reviewers have mentioned, it is a little strange to call it an autobiography. However, there is so much first hand accounts that I don't really have a problem with it. I don't think that the editor, Clayborn More...
Oct 14, 2011
GardenSinger
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The first several chapters were very interesting and showed potential for the remainder of the book. However, I did notice quite a bit of redundancy throughout the book, which was slightly annoying and led to a feeling of disinterest. For a life filled with so many challenges, discoveries, setbacks, and triumphs...you'd think the book would be much more exciting/interesting. I just did not think the "real" MLK came out, but more of a stereotypical "good" and somewhat shallow
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Nov 08, 2011
William
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This book can be described in many words, but the one word i think all the people that have read this book would agree upon is Amazing. I don't even have to say much as in describing what this book is about, because what more can i say about MLK Jr? After reading this book i felt a personal connection to MLK. Martin Luther King really had an amazing and interesting life that everybody should read about. He is not just the person that helped abolish segregation he was an amazing person that would
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Jan 01, 2012
Mark
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The focus of this book is definitely more on King's personal and political accomplishments rather than his personal life. It is clear he was tactically brilliant in choosing how to execute civil rights demonstrations, and the necessity of nonviolence. He had a keen grasp of the big picture, how the movement was perceived by the rest of the country, the deepest roots of the problems they faced, and the ultimate mechanisms required for real lasting transformation of race relations. I enjoyed readi
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Aug 24, 2011
Jamie
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This man centered his life on the simple yet powerful idea that united, people could effect change through non-violent protest. He used religion as a platform, metaphors and allegories as a tool, and poetry as a weapon to inspire a nation and the world. What a gift to be able to weave the power of centuries of suppressed emotions and trials into words. The following are some of my favorite quotes:
"As a young man with most of my life ahead of me, I decided early to give my lif More...
"As a young man with most of my life ahead of me, I decided early to give my lif More...
Apr 24, 2011
KJ
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It took me months to make my way through this book, but it was absorbing, inspiring, moving, and impressive. Some people may take issue with the fact that this is not a true autobiography - King did not write this as a continuous narrative, rather, an editor with access to a wealth of primary source materials culled the most interesting letters, speeches, journals, etc., organized them chronologically and linked everything with a narrative approximating King's voice. I was skeptical of this me
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Nov 07, 2010
Thomas
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I've had this set of audio cassettes for several years. For the same reasons I read Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch I recently listened to these 6 cassettes on a long drive from our home in Oregon to my sister-in-law's wedding in San Diego and back.
LeVar Burton does a wonderful job of narration. Listening to the history of the Civil Rights movement through the experiences, writings, and speeches of Dr. King is well worth the time. The best aspect of listening to this book as opp More...
LeVar Burton does a wonderful job of narration. Listening to the history of the Civil Rights movement through the experiences, writings, and speeches of Dr. King is well worth the time. The best aspect of listening to this book as opp More...
Sep 16, 2009
Carlos
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Excellent biography on the Civil Rights leader. Very well written and expertly researched. Informative and thorough. The book aptly describes the genuine side and fierce passion for justice and equality of Martin Luther King, Jr. Socialogy majors would definitely benefit from reading this great book or anyone who has the slightest interest in learning about the civil rights movement in the 1960's. A time of upheval and turmoil.
Feb 13, 2009
Elizabeth
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Having just returned from a powerful experience at the MLK Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta over MLK Jr. day 2009, the day before Obama's inauguration, I was inspired and motivated to read this recently anthologized "auto"biography compiled by Carson. So far, so good. It's very engaging, of course, and really delves into the theological, philosophical, and social issues with which King grappled on multiple levels. It should be read as a pair (at least!) with Obama's "Dreams o
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Aug 17, 2011
Michael
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My experience with this book is hard to put into words. I'm convinced he was simply beyond the majority of people of his time, and fought hard against limited worldviews of religion, politics, and human existence, from the standpoint of spirit. From the book you get a great sense of how he is able to (and struggles to) communicate his vision to all levels of people -- from ethnocentric segregationists, to complacent / fatalistic faith leaders, to black nationalist defectors, and everyone in be
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Mar 29, 2010
Kylir
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This is an awesome book! It is very inspirational and has helped me to really appreciate Dr. King and the work he did. I was disappointed to find out that I already knew more about him than I thought I did. I was hoping that this book would reveal more of his inner struggles and thinking. However, since this is not a true autobiography and instead represents an approximation to one by the author, I think it is written as well as it could have been. This is a great read!
Jan 17, 2011
dsimard
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It bothered me that the book is called "autobiography" while in fact, it's written (they say edited) by another guy. The book is very good at the beginning because it's more about the spiritual views and the path that MLK has taken to become what he was. Beginning with the "Birmingham buses" incident, it becomes more historical with less insight of what was on his mind.
Aug 17, 2011
Mundia
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An intelligent man and a great visionary, Martin was a great organiser and the book does a great job in bringing this out.
Couldn't help feeling he must have come across as a little too soft in his day. Like some polished uncle Tom when compared to Malcom X perhaps?
Couldn't help feeling he must have come across as a little too soft in his day. Like some polished uncle Tom when compared to Malcom X perhaps?
Oct 21, 2011
Cody
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I really liked this book, i read about 4 books about Martin Luther King Jr. This autobiography gave alot of informaton and it was written by martin luther King Jr. so it was written in his point of view. I just really liked this book.
Jul 11, 2011
Fantastic book....even better as audio book. Very interesting with lots of insight into Dr. Kings life and the times he was living in. Amazingly done by using his own words from letters, speeches, recordings etc. Well chronicled.
Jul 30, 2009
Karl
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The combination of the narrator and recording speeches provided a real feeling for the man. I enjoyed it tremendously. Although I've heard much of this before, I've never heard in the context presented here...the context of the full life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Apr 11, 2009
Samantha
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Fabulous. He was such a humble man and we can learn so much from just reading about his life. I recommend to anyone to read this book. This book is probably one of the books that have helped shaped my life.
Sep 15, 2009
Carolyn
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This book was interesting. However, I have a hard time w/ the label "autobiography". Someone took King's writings and put them together and sometimes tweaked things to make it flow better.
Aug 05, 2009
Darin
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This is a very interesting book. Technically, Martin Luther King, Jr. did not write an autobiography. But he did leave behind a number of writings and recordings - books, letters, sermons, speeches, etc. Clayborne Carson, as the director of the King Papes Project, has been organizing and editing King's written works into definitive collections. This biography wraps MLK's actual words into a concise and intriguing read. Martin Luther King was one of the greatest and most influential people of the
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Sep 01, 2011
Cindy
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It is a very thought provoking book and I need to spend a lot of time thinking. Something I don't have a lot of time at the moment for, but I am going to finish it eventually...
Jan 09, 2009
Zoe
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Great, great man...one of my heroes, but this was a very tedious book. Difficult to keep track of who's who at times, but inspiration on many levels.
Nov 24, 2009
Garland
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I have both the audio version and a Kindle version of this book. I loved the audio version of this book because of the times when you get to hear actual recordings of MLK speaking.
However, because most of this book is taken from journal entries, you only get a 1 sided picture of MLK. It helps to read a biography of his too so that you see the flaws in his character as well as the successes in his life.
However, because most of this book is taken from journal entries, you only get a 1 sided picture of MLK. It helps to read a biography of his too so that you see the flaws in his character as well as the successes in his life.
