Ready for Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael

by Stokely Carmichael, John Edgar Wideman (Introduction), Ekwueme Michael Thelwell (Contributor)

The astonishing personal and political autobiography of Stokely Carmichael, the legendary civil rights leader, Black Power architect, Pan-African activist, and revolutionary thinker and organizer known as Kwame Ture.

Head of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Honorary prime minister of the Black Panther Party. Bestselling author. Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) is an American legend, one whose work as a civil rights leader fundamentally altered the course of history—and our understanding of Pan-Africanism today. Ready for Revolution recounts the extraordinary course of Carmichael's life, from his Trinidadian youth to his consciousness-raising years in Harlem to his rise as the patriarch of the Black Power movement.

In his own words, Carmichael tells the story of his fight for social justice with candor, wit, and passion—and a cast of luminaries that includes James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Ho Chi Minh, and Fidel Castro, among others. Carmichael's personal testimony captures the pulse of the cultural upheavals that characterize the modern world. This landmark, posthumously published autobiography reintroduces us to a man whose love of freedom fueled his fight for revolution to the end.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Race, Politics, Memoir, African American

848 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Stokely Standiford Churchill Carmichael, also known as Kwame Ture, was a Trinidadian-American black activist active in the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. He rose to prominence first as a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC, pronounced "Snick") and later as the "Honorary Prime Minister" of the Black Panther Party. Initially an integrationist, Carmichael later became affiliated with black nationalist and Pan-Africanist movements

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the time Mr Ture was my age he had discussed black power with Malcolm and marched with Martin and lived to see them both gunned down, had faced violence and death threats as a grassroots organiser in the deep south fighting for fundamental rights that improved countless lives,hung with Castro and Uncle Ho, chaired the SNCC for a year, been arrested for his civil disobedience more times than he could accurately remember, survived Cleaver and Huey, and gotten married to an internationally successful singer. Kinda makes sitting in your tracksuit pants, drinking wine and reading about revolution seem inadequate...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is difficult to stop reading. Some books require starting at the beginning and reading through to the end. Not this one. Start anywhere . . . a chapter, or topic from the index. Its a great resource!

I was somewhat concerned about an autobiography being penned by someone else. But, in actuality Ekwueme Michael Thelwell does a stellar job of it. You can just hear Stokely speaking as you read.

About his own role as collaborator, Thelwell says it best himself:
"It does seem only reasonable that a few words may well be necessary to explain the genesis and provenance of any autobiography making its first appearance on the fifth anniversary of its author's death. So here goes"
[. . .]
"In the formal legalese of the collaboration agreement Kwame is referred to as 'the Author' and I as 'the Writer.' Thoroughly serviceable, cut and dried language which, while convenient enough, is, at least in my case, not as accurate as it would appear. It misrepresents, perhaps even inflates, a role which, while more than editor, is somewhat less than writer in the usual sense of the term. The formulation which seems to me most accurate comes from music: Kwame being the composer and I the arranger."
[. . .]

It is truly impressive work as an invaluable history for anyone, and also a memoir that fills in the blanks for those of us who were coming of age during those years. It is truly so, that "In his own words, Carmichael tells the story of his fight for social justice with candor, wit, and passion--and a cast of luminaries . . ." (from The New York Times Book Review)

I would recommend this book as a "must have" for anyone's personal library.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most powerful book I've ever read on the civil rights movement. I've found a kindred soul in Stokely Carmichael. His common sense way of talking about the rights of MAN vs. just civil rights is unique in the way that it draws from the thoughts of MLK, Lenin/Marx, Malcolm X, some of the great Pan-African leaders, the Black Power movement, and the various socialist and African-American freedom organizations to combine the best of each into a cohesive worldview. His adoption of the African name Kwame Ture is a consummation of this worldview and his rejection of the blatant evils of Western Capitalism, racism, religious oppression, exploitation of man through globalization, the plundering of African resources by Western Powers, and the decadence of secular humanism. At 795 pages the book is not a quick read, but it is a story that is indispensable to the history of the African American. Eukwame Michael Thelwell deserves credit as a superb interpreter of the spoken words of Carmichael into a language of the pen that captures all the passion of a fiery, kind and unforgettable African American revolutionary.

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of attending a talk given by Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) before his death, and knew that his life was distinct story that needed to be told. As a historian, I have spent years trying to do his story justice in my dissertation. I have hundreds of books written on the civil rights movement on my bookshelves, and this book if by far the best book I own. I can almost hear him narrating as if he were in the room with me. Although I am not particularly fond of memoires edited posthumously, Dr. Thelwell does a good job at keeping his voice out of he meat of the narrative. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in learning about the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Black Power, or the southern civil rights movement in general.

[Vic u · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kwame Ture for everything you have done for the peoples struggle. Everyone read this book right now, we all owe it to Ture to remember his legacy and his call for revolution. His incredible autobiography details his struggle for oppressed people. Documenting his experiences with prominent figures like Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Ho Chi Minh, Fidel Castro, Sekou Toure, Kwame Nkrumah, among countless others, Kwame Ture is the embodiment of an internationalist revolutionary.
Ready for Revolution

[She Reads for Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I was not born during the Civil Rights and early Black liberation eras, I was pleasantly grateful for the knowledge that was acquired by reading this extraordinary book. It provides the reader with a first-hand account from a major revolutionary figure who encouraged non-violent direct action to Black communities facing racism, oppression, and senseless brutality. Stokely Carmichael is an individual whom I admire immensely for his endless fight for justice and liberation for the African-American community. He also attended the same institute where I obtained my master's degree; Howard University.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great autobiography.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

the passionate dialog of a 57 year old cancer-ridden stokely carmichael, dictated and transcribed over 18 months. from his youth to his coining of the very meaningful phrases "institutional racism" and "black power" to his years in africa, he emphasizes over and over that grassroots organized power is the best.

[Keisha Adinkra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated from the start! Bold to say the least this man deserves more credit for his role in the civil rights movement as well as the pan-African movement.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read.

[Anthony Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready For Revolution a magnificent memoir. Kwame Ture, (Stokley Carmichael), shares his incredible life's story, as well as an intimate, thorough look into SNCC, the Freedom Rides, Freedom Summer, Black Power and Pan Africanism. I immensely enjoyed the candid history of SNCC, the internecine politics of the various civil rights groups and the personal stories Brother Ture shared. Most gratefully, I was reminded of the need for consciousness, constant struggle and organizing, always organizing for the movement. " This is not a task of a single generation, one leader, or one government. It is the task of the entire people over many lifetimes in which everyone has his or her duty to perform. It is a great task with many difficulties to overcome. It requires unity and sacrifice. But it is not beyond the will, the courage and the intelligence of the people. Only the people make history."
A LUTA CONTINUA

[Hameto · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Ture/Carmichael was an amazing speaker, he was an amazing writer with a unique ability to engage his audience at all levels (socially, intellectually, etc).

A text that will educate you and provide an organic history of the Civil Rights Movement/Student Movement/Black Liberation Movement.

Also, check out Carmichael's 1966 Black Power Speech at UC-Berkeley. The 52 minute speech is available for free on the iTunes store.

Enjoy.

[Penuelas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book showed me that history is not changed only by great men and women but by anyone willing to put forth the effort and sacrifice to change the world.

Ready for Revolution, is the story of college student Stokely Charmichael and his involvement in the Civil Right's movement. Stockely is best remembered as one of two men to have coined the term "Black Power"

[Crystal Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

hear his words, feel his spirit. this book isn't well known but should be if you are interested in learning about the struggles of the civil rights movement in SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) and the BPP (Black Panther Party). kwame ture was a true leader and his teachings will continue to inspire the masses.

[Kareem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly learning about his early life -- his childhood, the influences he had growing up and how he got into the civil rights movement. I had know nothing about him before he got with SNCC. Also did not know he lived in Africa all those years through the end of his life. If only all autobio's were like his....

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book on the CR movement...Ture's story, as told by the man himself through interviews with Thelwell, is as fascinating as it provocative, as tragic as it is humorous. A must for anyone interested in the movement and one of its most dynamic and attractive leaders.

[estel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i couldn’t recommend a book more highly. its a long thorough walk through kwame ture’s many struggles in the movement and his very human tone and spirit make it truly joyful to read. i felt like he was at my side

[Cha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical recollection from a tireless fighter for Pan-Africanism.

[Bambose Shango]

Interesting book but only covers the SNCC part of his life, not the A-APRP part.

[Jonathan Monnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life story told by the man himself. Carmichael, often forgotten, played an instrumental role in the American humans right struggle. I am grateful that he left his memoir before his passing.

[Shaun Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

via Scarborough Library Facility

[Ela shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

hiii guys

[Stella Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential autobiography

[Kurt]

Thelwell plays Boswell to Carmichael's Johnson in the single best book on this nation's crawl from Civil to Human Rights. An essential and entertaining read, the book I'll thrust upon my son toward understanding the struggle.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

though the subject matter, of Stokely Carmichael's life is interesting, its badly edited. Its way way way too long, and is full of tangents that make it difficult to follow and fails to hold interest.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

autobiography of stokely carmichael, civil rights leader from SNCC, who coined the phrase "black power", led black unity efforts in DC, and later fled to begin a new life in Guinea (West Africa).

[Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The autobiography of a radical organizer, a man of the people

[Chamique Holdsclaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing read. I finished the book having a better understanding of the Civil Rights Movement!!! I highly recommend it.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

他的妻子嗎、他自己就是說不

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very long! But lots of cool information.