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Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life from Beginning to End
Discover the remarkable life of Martin Luther King Jr... Free BONUS Inside! The life of Martin Luther King Jr. was painfully short but joyously valuable. Using non-violent direct action and the principles of Christian love, King became the most influential pioneer of the civil rights movement in the United States of America. A husband, father, pastor, and leader, King preached a message of hope by taking to the streets and changing the world. Discover a plethora of topics such as Early Life Montgomery Bus Boycott A Brush with Death March on Washington and Murders in Selma Riots in Watts and War in Vietnam The Poor People’s Campaign and the Assassination And much more!So if you want a concise and informative book on Martin Luther King Jr., simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2018
208 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 30, 2021
This is the story of an erudite leader who used his passion and erudition to drive a movement that brought about seminal change in American society. It is difficult to believe that a country that prided itself in being called a democracy, only around 20% of eligible blacks could vote. Martin Luther King Jr, inspired by the likes of Mahtama Gandhi, fought against discrimination that was prevalent in the US where he saw an "island of poverty in the midst of ocean of plenty".
January 20, 2021
It's crazy what ppl have to go through just to have the right do something as simple as just use the same bathroom as a white person. Our history of racism & other forms of discrimination as a species is downright ridiculous! So much violence! We need to keep trying to do better.
March 2, 2025
Good read
They arrested this man for practically everything!
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” —Martin Luther King Jr.
They arrested this man for practically everything!
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” —Martin Luther King Jr.
April 23, 2020
I learned a lot in this quick read bio of MLK. The writing is a little flowery, but Smiley humanizes MLK as a great man of peace who also had flaws. I don’t know why I didn’t love this book but there was something missing. I can recommend it for a quick read on MLK but not a great read.
June 9, 2018
I'm becoming a real fan of the Hourly History series of biographies-- except most take me long than an hour to read. (Haha!) This edition on Martin Luther King, Jr is no exception. I found a number of facts I didn't know and appreciated the inclusion of some 'myths' dispelled too.
I found a date error while reading-- only because of the chronology -- King's third arrest, in Albany, occurred July 27, 1962-- not 1961 as stated in this book. Hopefully the editors will see and correct that mistake. I see that as problematic in a 'fact-based' book by a company pushing out many titles, quickly. Editing and reliability are everything.
I found a date error while reading-- only because of the chronology -- King's third arrest, in Albany, occurred July 27, 1962-- not 1961 as stated in this book. Hopefully the editors will see and correct that mistake. I see that as problematic in a 'fact-based' book by a company pushing out many titles, quickly. Editing and reliability are everything.
December 16, 2018
I love these Hourly Histories .. They cover many figureheads and influential people of the 20th Century ..
I'm not always keen on reading a full-blown biography, but these give a few chapters covering the most important parts of both the private and public lives of the person .. they are a good introduction to investigating further ..
I'm not always keen on reading a full-blown biography, but these give a few chapters covering the most important parts of both the private and public lives of the person .. they are a good introduction to investigating further ..
January 20, 2019
Hourly History provides snippets of history that can be read in about an hour. I like reading these quick biographies and histories because they tend to come straight to the point of why a person, place or event merits a place of remembrance.
It seemed most fitting to read about Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day before the holiday that commemorates his achievements in civil rights. Although he is best known for bringing the plight of segregation front and center on the American stage, he actually worked to benefit all who suffered in poverty regardless of race. The work he did to try to eliminate segregation in the South was done at risk of life and limb, yet he always preached the necessity for non-violence.
I remember those early days in the mid-1950s despite the fact that I was still a child in elementary school. I went to school in The Bronx, so I didn't personally experience segregation, but I saw these things on the news. As a child, I was confounded by the vitriol of the racist south. As I look back, after reading MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: A LIFE FROM BEGINNING TO END, I can more fully appreciate King's impact on American history.
I am often amazed at how well-informed people in other countries are about what is going on in the United States politically. I have virtual friends that pre-date Facebook that have made comments about American policy more cogent than my own. To this end, reading about King's travels in India, in 1959, the line "According to King, Indian newspapers may have followed the Montgomery bus boycott more closely than American ones, and King was recognized everywhere he went." really stuck out for me. This statement reinforces the need for all of us to understand what is going on not only in our own country, but in the world writ large.
There is surely more to Martin Luther King, Jr. than is written in this short biography, but if it provides the inducement to read more and gain a better understanding of how we got to where we are today, it is worth your time to read.
It seemed most fitting to read about Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day before the holiday that commemorates his achievements in civil rights. Although he is best known for bringing the plight of segregation front and center on the American stage, he actually worked to benefit all who suffered in poverty regardless of race. The work he did to try to eliminate segregation in the South was done at risk of life and limb, yet he always preached the necessity for non-violence.
I remember those early days in the mid-1950s despite the fact that I was still a child in elementary school. I went to school in The Bronx, so I didn't personally experience segregation, but I saw these things on the news. As a child, I was confounded by the vitriol of the racist south. As I look back, after reading MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: A LIFE FROM BEGINNING TO END, I can more fully appreciate King's impact on American history.
I am often amazed at how well-informed people in other countries are about what is going on in the United States politically. I have virtual friends that pre-date Facebook that have made comments about American policy more cogent than my own. To this end, reading about King's travels in India, in 1959, the line "According to King, Indian newspapers may have followed the Montgomery bus boycott more closely than American ones, and King was recognized everywhere he went." really stuck out for me. This statement reinforces the need for all of us to understand what is going on not only in our own country, but in the world writ large.
There is surely more to Martin Luther King, Jr. than is written in this short biography, but if it provides the inducement to read more and gain a better understanding of how we got to where we are today, it is worth your time to read.
June 29, 2020
Why is it that so many people who are trying to do good and who happen to be famous ended up being killed? John and Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King and others who could have contributed much more to their country if they would have been allowed to live but some lo=life ends up ending that potentially positive future prematurely.
The book goes into King's childhood, how he became involved with the Southern Council, how he stood for equal rights, ending housing bias and peaceful demonstrations. He was arrested 29 times. The book also talks briefly about another major American, Rosa Parks. An episode of Doctor Who did a good job of telling her story (with a science-fiction twist, of course.)
His legacy lives on but so does the legacy of violence in this country, especially against people of color and people in the bi/les/trans/gay community.
A very good book about a great American who had a wonderful dream.
The book goes into King's childhood, how he became involved with the Southern Council, how he stood for equal rights, ending housing bias and peaceful demonstrations. He was arrested 29 times. The book also talks briefly about another major American, Rosa Parks. An episode of Doctor Who did a good job of telling her story (with a science-fiction twist, of course.)
His legacy lives on but so does the legacy of violence in this country, especially against people of color and people in the bi/les/trans/gay community.
A very good book about a great American who had a wonderful dream.
December 15, 2025
So
A life from beginning to end?? Most of this book is probably quite accurate, but along with praise should be condemnation.
While I was surprised that the book talks a little bit about racism in the North, it is mostly criticized in the South.
The North was and still is as racist as the South probably more so.
For all of King's praises, the story fails to include his faults. He was as sinful as all the rest of us, and while being paid to be a pastor
in Christianity, his infidelity told a sad story of this man.
A life from beginning to end?? Most of this book is probably quite accurate, but along with praise should be condemnation.
While I was surprised that the book talks a little bit about racism in the North, it is mostly criticized in the South.
The North was and still is as racist as the South probably more so.
For all of King's praises, the story fails to include his faults. He was as sinful as all the rest of us, and while being paid to be a pastor
in Christianity, his infidelity told a sad story of this man.
November 30, 2020
Martin Luther King Jr. A Life from Beginning to End by Hourly History is a work of nonfiction. It is written for teenagers to adults. It is written as a chapter book about Dr. King’s life. It starts with his early life and includes the events he is most famous for and then ends with his death. This book would be an excellent book to use in a classroom on Martin Luther King Jr. day or during Black History Month.
February 19, 2022
Long Live King's Influence
Growing up in school, King's name was highly regarded. His mission was peace. His platform wars the world. We were always motivated and proud that he was an advocate of change for the disenfranchised. This concise reading is packed with information, most of it was a refresher with some tidbits of information that was new to me. I like these pops of history.
Growing up in school, King's name was highly regarded. His mission was peace. His platform wars the world. We were always motivated and proud that he was an advocate of change for the disenfranchised. This concise reading is packed with information, most of it was a refresher with some tidbits of information that was new to me. I like these pops of history.
November 27, 2021
High Level Bio
The Hourly History series are good for getting a feel for a topic, and this is no exception. While the book is short and easy to read, it covers most of the major elements of King’s life. An astute reader will note significant gaps and very favorable coverage in his family life - but with a short book, you can only cover so much. A good high level bio.
The Hourly History series are good for getting a feel for a topic, and this is no exception. While the book is short and easy to read, it covers most of the major elements of King’s life. An astute reader will note significant gaps and very favorable coverage in his family life - but with a short book, you can only cover so much. A good high level bio.
October 24, 2023
Easier to move a mountain than a person to change
Great review. I was in my early teens for most of the movement and did learn about his time in Chicago until now.
With the white violence it’s remarkable that King could keep his non-violence stance.
Should be a read in every middle school.
Great review. I was in my early teens for most of the movement and did learn about his time in Chicago until now.
With the white violence it’s remarkable that King could keep his non-violence stance.
Should be a read in every middle school.
July 31, 2025
Martin Luther King’s life is inspirational. He played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement. I particularly admire the fact that like Mahatma Gandhi, he advocated for non violence.
I knew some of the key facts about his life before reading the book but did not know that he had been imprisoned many times and how tumultuous his life had become.
I knew some of the key facts about his life before reading the book but did not know that he had been imprisoned many times and how tumultuous his life had become.
October 20, 2025
The history part of this volume is expectantly accurate. The disturbing part is the revelations given that MLK did not believe in Christ's resurrection nor that the Bible is the Word of God. If the book is accurate on these points it means he was not even a Christian [1 Jn. 2, 1 Cor. 15] much less a man of God. Again- that is if the book is accurate on these points. Sad really.
October 22, 2025
Excellent review.of.Dr.King's life
I greatly enjoyed tihs.book and.recommend.it to.anyone interested in civil.rights.in.US .I was.particularly
Informed.on.the many awards Dr.King.received from.mani different. Organizations.involved.in civil.rights.and.voting.freedom..
Recommended mwithout.question!!!!!
I greatly enjoyed tihs.book and.recommend.it to.anyone interested in civil.rights.in.US .I was.particularly
Informed.on.the many awards Dr.King.received from.mani different. Organizations.involved.in civil.rights.and.voting.freedom..
Recommended mwithout.question!!!!!
September 16, 2019
I'm sure there are better biographies of Martin Luther King Jr. out there but for a quick one hour read I thought this book was a good summary of King's accomplishments. There is a lot of good information here. Well worth the read.
August 9, 2020
The hourly history version was a quick read. Good book. Maybe I felt some areas could have been emphasized more. But that's for a full length book I guess. Writing was good, pretty good review for further study.
February 18, 2021
Nice read
It's interesting to know that less than hundred years ago, there was so much unrest in USA based on colour....it's shocking and the book nicely captures these events and thr life of King....
It's interesting to know that less than hundred years ago, there was so much unrest in USA based on colour....it's shocking and the book nicely captures these events and thr life of King....
August 28, 2021
Actually covers the legend and the man fairly well.
Hourly history freebie, they pass them out on fridays for free. Suitable for all ages. I heard that Martin Luther king Jr was stabbed by his lover, this version differs from my memory? Exciting times to live thru.
Hourly history freebie, they pass them out on fridays for free. Suitable for all ages. I heard that Martin Luther king Jr was stabbed by his lover, this version differs from my memory? Exciting times to live thru.
January 19, 2026
Interesting quick read
This was a quick overview of Martin Luther King's life and legacy. It moved quick enough that it flowed really good; but slow enough that you didn't get lost in the details.
This was a quick overview of Martin Luther King's life and legacy. It moved quick enough that it flowed really good; but slow enough that you didn't get lost in the details.
June 10, 2018
Not impressed
While some of this book was factual, some was not, which upset me greatly. I propose that Hourly History pull this book and do a rewrite. Terrible.
While some of this book was factual, some was not, which upset me greatly. I propose that Hourly History pull this book and do a rewrite. Terrible.
September 17, 2018
Very informative book for someone who wishes to know about the inspirational life of Mattin Luther King.
January 27, 2019
Informative quick read
Recommend for a quick informational read on MLK. Great overview of the life of a instrumental figure in US history.
Recommend for a quick informational read on MLK. Great overview of the life of a instrumental figure in US history.
May 28, 2020
Well written . Good coverage for so short a book.
June 5, 2020
Great Short Read!
A brief synopsis of Dr Mart Luther King Jr's life and death! Thsi was a great informative read in a condensed version.
A brief synopsis of Dr Mart Luther King Jr's life and death! Thsi was a great informative read in a condensed version.
July 11, 2020
A short and inspiring book on King's life. What a wonderful example of a Christian following Jesus
July 16, 2020
Great book about MLK
Great little book packed with information. I really appreciate and enjoyed it. I highly recommend it as a great teaching resource.
Great little book packed with information. I really appreciate and enjoyed it. I highly recommend it as a great teaching resource.
February 24, 2021
Another quick read in the Hourly History series, about arguably one of the most influential and charismatic figure of the past century, whose actions have helped shape the world for the better.
March 4, 2021
A good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews