Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord!: The Life of Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel Singers

by Jesse Jackson

Recounts the gospel singer's struggles, success, and humanitarian concerns

160 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1974

About the author

Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to form Rainbow/PUSH. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. is his eldest son.

Reviews

[Patsy McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Mahalia Jackson since I watched her sing during the 1963 March on Washington with Dr. King. I have an album of her recordings and I love to sing along (not very well) with the old gospel songs.

This book (published in 1974) which I found at a used book store, is well-written and very enlightening. When I first knew of Ms Jackson, she was already an international favorite. I had no idea how hard her early life was; how poor she was; that she grew up in the ghetto of New Orleans. It all made me appreciate even more her dedication to her faith and to gospel singing. If you love her singing as I do, I recommend this book as must read.

[Shirley Ghoston-Key]

An interesting historical journal and reflective journey of Mahalia Jackson written by Jessie Jackson. It extended and filled in my Black History in the USA.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written inspiring account of Mahalia Jackson’s life from small town girl singing in her Baptist church choir to the Queen of Gospel singing for presidents and traveling the world. She supported the civil rights struggle with her presence,her voice and her purse (paying MLK’s salary) even at great risk to herself. She sang for the Ed Sullivan show, Carnegie Hall, the bus boycott, Kennedy’s inauguration, the March on Washington MLK’s funeral and so many defining moments in history . She was an amazing woman who live her Faith as well as sang it. My parents woke me up on Sunday mornings playing her records- what a way to start a Sunday!!
+ quotes throughout from Mahalia Jackson and all the people in her life, verses from her songs
+ written by Jesse Jackson (yes, that Jesse Jackson who would have known her well)
+ well researched from her childhood to her passing: her daily life, struggles, hard work as well as her triumphs