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Scholastic Biography
The Life And Words Of Martin Luther King Jr.
From his early days in Alabama to his rise as a celebrated civil rights speaker, this biography provides a factual and informative look at Martin Luther King's life through its many stages. Reissue.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 24, 2016
4,5. Amazing biography of a great man.
December 9, 2019
This may be listed as a YA book, as I is published as a Scholastic Biography, but it is one of the bes books on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that I have ever read. I laud it for accuracy without sensationalism, for describing Jim Crow and the KKK without the adjectives and inflammatory name-calling we hear today, for good, straightforward organization and for truth telling.
I grew up in the 50s, although I am surprised how much of the televised speeches, riots, marches and freedom riders I remember from such a young age. I also remember that Dr. King was not always thought a hero and a good man. But time is the proof, and non-violent protest for change moved civil rights in the right direction. I am so glad to see a memorial to him in D.C.
Highly recommended for any young adult to adult. Maybe even mature children.
I grew up in the 50s, although I am surprised how much of the televised speeches, riots, marches and freedom riders I remember from such a young age. I also remember that Dr. King was not always thought a hero and a good man. But time is the proof, and non-violent protest for change moved civil rights in the right direction. I am so glad to see a memorial to him in D.C.
Highly recommended for any young adult to adult. Maybe even mature children.
February 16, 2009
Looks like a great book for a kid to create a report from.. some of the pictures might be a bit disturbing - the KKK around a huge bonfire, etc.. Copyright 1968 (some speeches are copyright as of their date), it uses the word 'Negroes' routinely. Explains things in a simple way that still contains the basic injustice of the original situations, and the importance of the actions taken. It ends with a picture of King's gravestone, with the words from his "I have a dream" speech: 'Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty I'm free at last.'
Can't write too much about this subject right now..
Can't write too much about this subject right now..
December 9, 2019
I thought that this book was okay but it wasn't the kind of book I would normally read, It doesn't really grab my attention. Before i read this book I had learned somethings about martin luther king jr. I wanted to know more about how he grew up before the author started to talk about how he was leading.
This book is about How martin luther king ruled and leaded the negro people. It's about how he was leading and all the things he had gone through. This book also includes some of the things he had said during those times.
This book is about How martin luther king ruled and leaded the negro people. It's about how he was leading and all the things he had gone through. This book also includes some of the things he had said during those times.
May 20, 2024
A FINE SUMMARY OF KING’S LIFE AND DEEDS, FOR YOUNGER READERS
The Foreword to this 1968 book states, “King never flinched from what he thought was his duty. Some people said that he went too far, that he was a ‘troublemaker.’ Others said that he did not go far enough, that he was, in fact, an ‘Uncle Tom.’ King always said that he was a middle-of-the-road man… King warned that if white people did not support his nonviolent movement, many Negroes would turn to ‘black nationalism’ and hatred of all things white. This, he said, would lead to a racial nightmare. The ghetto riots of the summers of 1965-1967 seemed to bear him out…This, then, is the story of Martin Luther King and his vision.”
Author Ira Peck explained, “In some cases, Jim Crow separation was a custom rather than the law. Negroes and whites went to separate churches, even when they were of the same religion. Negro and white doctors, lawyers, and teachers rarely met together, either. In the North, King and his wife would not be insulted by Jim Crow laws. Neither would their children… Yet King, with Coretta’s consent, decided to take the job in Montgomery, Alabama. The South, they felt, was their home.” (Pg. 11)
He notes, “King believed that a church that cared only for the souls of its members was ‘dry as dust.’ It was the duty of a church to care about the LIVING CONDITIONS of people. Because, he said, bad living conditions scar people’s souls. Religion, he said, must care about heaven and earth, souls and slums.” (Pg. 12)
He explains, “King was against communism. He was against it because it had no place for God. It also took away a man’s freedom. And Communists believed that, to win power, they could lie, use force, or even murder people. King was against all those things. There must be a better way than communism, he thought.” (Pg. 19)
At the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, “Ralph Abernathy … proposed that the people should not ride the buses until: 1. Negroes were treated politely by the drivers. 2. Riders were seated first-come, first-served, Negroes in the back, whites in front. (This was not asking for an end to segregation. It meant only that Negroes would not have to give up their seats to white people.) 3. Negro bus drivers were hired for buses that ran mainly through Negro sections.” (Pg. 29)
He points out, “Martin Luther King did not start the sit-ins. They started without anyone’s help, at first. The students were angry at the clow rate of desegregation in the South. They decided to do something about it themselves. But these students had learned the ‘ABCs’ of protesting from Martin Luther King. They, too, believed in nonviolence. When they were cursed or even beaten, they did not curse or strike back. King was behind all their thoughts and feelings.” (Pg. 48)
He recounts, “The Negro protests that summer [1963] were felt by all Americans. In the White House, President Kenndy said, ‘Are we to say to the world that *this is the land of the free, except for Negroes? *We have no second-class citizens, except for Negroes? *We have no ghettoes, except for Negroes?” (Pg. 65)
This book---published shortly after King’s murder---remains an excellent summary of King’s views and actions for younger readers.
The Foreword to this 1968 book states, “King never flinched from what he thought was his duty. Some people said that he went too far, that he was a ‘troublemaker.’ Others said that he did not go far enough, that he was, in fact, an ‘Uncle Tom.’ King always said that he was a middle-of-the-road man… King warned that if white people did not support his nonviolent movement, many Negroes would turn to ‘black nationalism’ and hatred of all things white. This, he said, would lead to a racial nightmare. The ghetto riots of the summers of 1965-1967 seemed to bear him out…This, then, is the story of Martin Luther King and his vision.”
Author Ira Peck explained, “In some cases, Jim Crow separation was a custom rather than the law. Negroes and whites went to separate churches, even when they were of the same religion. Negro and white doctors, lawyers, and teachers rarely met together, either. In the North, King and his wife would not be insulted by Jim Crow laws. Neither would their children… Yet King, with Coretta’s consent, decided to take the job in Montgomery, Alabama. The South, they felt, was their home.” (Pg. 11)
He notes, “King believed that a church that cared only for the souls of its members was ‘dry as dust.’ It was the duty of a church to care about the LIVING CONDITIONS of people. Because, he said, bad living conditions scar people’s souls. Religion, he said, must care about heaven and earth, souls and slums.” (Pg. 12)
He explains, “King was against communism. He was against it because it had no place for God. It also took away a man’s freedom. And Communists believed that, to win power, they could lie, use force, or even murder people. King was against all those things. There must be a better way than communism, he thought.” (Pg. 19)
At the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, “Ralph Abernathy … proposed that the people should not ride the buses until: 1. Negroes were treated politely by the drivers. 2. Riders were seated first-come, first-served, Negroes in the back, whites in front. (This was not asking for an end to segregation. It meant only that Negroes would not have to give up their seats to white people.) 3. Negro bus drivers were hired for buses that ran mainly through Negro sections.” (Pg. 29)
He points out, “Martin Luther King did not start the sit-ins. They started without anyone’s help, at first. The students were angry at the clow rate of desegregation in the South. They decided to do something about it themselves. But these students had learned the ‘ABCs’ of protesting from Martin Luther King. They, too, believed in nonviolence. When they were cursed or even beaten, they did not curse or strike back. King was behind all their thoughts and feelings.” (Pg. 48)
He recounts, “The Negro protests that summer [1963] were felt by all Americans. In the White House, President Kenndy said, ‘Are we to say to the world that *this is the land of the free, except for Negroes? *We have no second-class citizens, except for Negroes? *We have no ghettoes, except for Negroes?” (Pg. 65)
This book---published shortly after King’s murder---remains an excellent summary of King’s views and actions for younger readers.
January 20, 2020
This was a great biography to learn the basics about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's a keeper to remind me about the leader I should become and if I wanted to look deeper into his life this is a great starting point.
February 7, 2018
I think this would be a good book for you if you if you like Martin Luther King Jr. and want to learn about him and like history.
June 17, 2019
Great book. I learened a lot I didn't know about MLK JR
March 13, 2021
Excellent book! Historical yet timely message even today.
March 9, 2024
Brief but beautifully succinct account of his most memorable moments. It's unfortunate I can't share this with my grandaughter due to it's outdated language.
April 29, 2014
In the book Martin Luther King Jr. Ira Peck tells the amazing story about Martin Luther's kings life.In this book it tells us how powerful Martin was, and also how he changed a lot of people's life.My favorite part was when they talked a bout his number one speech " I Have a Dream".In my point of view I think this book just told the main parts in his life.Some of the parts I already knew.The question is did other people think he was a great person?
In the book I thought it was powerful because we'll he's a powerful man.theres some strengths and weaknesses.One weakness is that it was a lower level book.The best thing was that it made me cry and it made me mad so I always had mix emotions.If there was many series I would recommend this to a friend.
In the book I thought it was powerful because we'll he's a powerful man.theres some strengths and weaknesses.One weakness is that it was a lower level book.The best thing was that it made me cry and it made me mad so I always had mix emotions.If there was many series I would recommend this to a friend.
April 7, 2016
Overall the book was an interesting read. I went into reading this already knowing some about what happened with Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, but it was good to refresh my memory. It was a very basic over view. If you want to get a in depth perspective of those events then I would recommend looking for a different book.
I would also like to give a heads up and let anybody interested in reading the book that Peck almost exclusively refers to the people involved as "n*gr**s." I don't know if there are any editions that were published later that have been edited, but that's what my copy from the early 70's uses.
I would also like to give a heads up and let anybody interested in reading the book that Peck almost exclusively refers to the people involved as "n*gr**s." I don't know if there are any editions that were published later that have been edited, but that's what my copy from the early 70's uses.
December 10, 2015
This is a story about Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. The book tells of his words and what he has done to make history. The book includes pictures to help capture the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I would recommend this book for students who are in grade fifth and sixth because it is a little wordy for younger students.
February 26, 2015
I thought that it was a good book for people that like to learn about history and about peoples life. It might also be a good book to read if you were writing a paper or something about Martin Luther King JR.
July 25, 2011
a brief overview of his life and times and what he inspired.
January 23, 2014
I thought that this was a good book because I like reading about people who inspire and now a days effect us in many different ways.
April 14, 2017
This book tells instead of shows. There is a lot of information, but the way it is presented is pretty dry.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews