A Fire You Can't Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham's Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth

Religion and American Culture

by Andrew M. Manis

When Fred Shuttlesworth suffered only a bump on the head in the 1956 bombing of his home, members of his church called it a miracle. Shuttlesworth took it as a sign that God would protect him on the mission that had made him a target that night. Standing in front of his demolished home, Shuttlesworth vigorously renewed his commitment to integrate Birmingham's buses, lunch counters, police force, and parks. The incident transformed him, in the eyes of Birmingham's blacks, from an up-and-coming young minister to a virtual folk hero and, in the view of white Birmingham, from obscurity to rabble-rouser extraordinaire.

From his 1956 founding of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights through the historic demonstrations of 1963, driven by a sense of divine mission, Shuttlesworth pressured Jim Crow restrictions in Birmingham with radically confrontational acts of courage. His intensive campaign pitted him against the staunchly segregationist police commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor and ultimately brought him to the side of Martin Luther King Jr. and to the inner chambers of the Kennedy White House.

First published in 1999, Andrew Manis's award-winning biography of "one of the nation's most courageous freedom fighters" demonstrates compellingly that Shuttleworth's brand of fiery, outspoken confrontation derived from his prophetic understanding of the pastoral role. Civil rights activism was tantamount to salvation in his understanding of the role of Christian minister.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Race

576 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 1999

Reviews

[Jake Pokorny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book as absolutely incredible. I can’t recall anyone in history, secular or ministerial, that endured as much as Mr Shuttlesworth had during the Civil Rights Movement. He escaped multiple parsonage and church bombings, physical altercations from mobs, and countless threats; without a scratch. In his and my eyes, he was protected by God to push the movement forward. He was incorruptible and spiritually devoted. Under his tutelage and leadership beside MLK, the events and sights seen at Birmingham dramatically swayed White Americas morals and the US Govt. to legislatively act. From this, came the Civl Rights Act of 1964 and the Voter Registration Act of 1965. I wish I could have met Fred in person, shook his hand and thanked him for his sacrifices ❤️❤️❤️

[Henry SmithT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting to read the recent history of the city you live in. Shuttlesworth was an incredible man, surprised that he isn’t more famous on a national stage compared to other civil rights leaders.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check your dictionary. If next to "fearless" there isn’t a picture of Fred Shuttlesworth, make sure it’s an English dictionary. If you google "action hero" and G.I Joe or Superman shows up, try another search engine. Because this man was the walking, talking, jumping, flying (you’ll understand when you read it), living embodiment of the words. It's not only that he leaps off the page in Manis's excellent and nuanced biography of his years in the civil rights struggle (he adeptly explores the class divisions that threatened to fracture the movement, as well as its religious components), but Manis also paints a stark and dramatic backdrop of the cauldron of violence and terror that was The South. With an almost otherworldly sense of calm enlivened with a biting dash of humor, Rev. Shuttlesworth walked in–-and around–-"Bull's Den" (domain of "Public Safety" Commissioner Bull Connor - their jousting was epic) while various police/Klansman, white citizen councilors, "Dynamite Bob," judges with white sheets under their robes and assorted ilk nipped at his heels and turned fire hoses on him and those fighting with him who would not be moved. If Martin Luther King was the soul of the movement, Rev. Shuttlesworth was its heart–-and muscle. A wickedly good job.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great biography for anyone with an interest in the civil rights movement. Content is heavily factual, less thematic. This allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions , but I often wished for more context. However, the book does a great service in disabusing the mythology that the movement was Dr. King and Dr. King was the movement. Despite the fact that this book was about a great man, it is a powerful argument against the "great man" theory of history. The civil rights movement was plural. It required instigators and leaders, like Fred Shuttlesworth, but it was many local movements in Birmingham, Nashville, Greenville, Selma, Montgomery.....with countless heroes.

[Tiffany]

I just read his obituary in the New York Times and would love to learn more about this remarkable, unsung American civil rights hero.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about one of Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, one of the hardest working civil rights leader who fought for equality in the city of Birmingham. During this era, starting in the 1950's, Fred's home and church were bombed, then his church was bombed again. He was arrested, beaten, went to jail, and thrown around by the water of a fire hose. He talked Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., to come to Birmingham in 1963. This helped revive the Civil Rights Movement in America and Dr. King's career. If you want an inside view of the Civil Rights movement, this is a book for you.

[Dewin Anguas Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I have read so many books on the movement and have heard his name mentioned so many times, but not until I read this book did I get to know an amazing, amazing man whose inspirational spirit I wil carry into my daily life.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife’s coworker recommended this book. It was great to read it and understand the fight for equality that took place in Birmingham in the 50s and 60s led by Fred Shuttlesworth. It was amazingly detailed. For me personally, a bit too much. But very much worth reading

[Mike Fedewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since our son moved to Birmingham I have been aware of the civil rights giants who are from that city. Rev. Shuttlesworth is perhaps the most important figure in the struggle in Birmingham. The author takes an honest look at his monumental strengths and his deep flaws.

[Ronnie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was and still is my favorite book. Rev Shuttlesworth is a big influence to me and I wish I could have met him before he passed.