On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech at the March on Washington calling for civic and economic rights and demanding an end to racism. A minister, activist and civil rights leader, King was a driving force in the Civil Rights Movement and an inspiration to a nation.
On January 20, 2020, we continue to celebrate the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. through his inspiring words, action and ultimate sacrifice.
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebrated Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson is the director and editor of the Martin Luther King Papers Project; with thousands of King’s essays, notes, letters, speeches, and sermons at his disposal, Carson has organized King’s writings into a posthumous autobiography.
Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.
In these short meditative and sermonic pieces, some of them composed in jails and all of them crafted during the tumultuous years of the civil rights struggle, Dr. King articulated and espoused in a deeply personal compelling way his commitment to justice and to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual conversion that makes his work as much a blueprint today for Christian discipleship as it was then.
The Dream : Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech that Inspired a Nation by Drew D. Hansen
The Dream is the first book about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech. Opening with an enthralling account of the August day in 1963 that saw 250,000 Americans converge at the March on Washington, The Dream delves into the fascinating and little-known history of King’s speech.
Redemption: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Last 31 Hours by Joseph Rosenbloom
Redemption draws on dozens of interviews by the author with people who were immersed in the Memphis events, features recently released documents from Atlanta archives, and includes compelling photos. The fresh material reveals untold facets of the story including a never-before-reported lapse by the Memphis Police Department to provide security for King. It unveils financial and logistical dilemmas, and recounts the emotional and marital pressures that were bedeviling King.
Death of a King : the Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Final Year by Tavis Smiley
Smiley’s “Death of a King” paints a portrait of a leader and visionary in a narrative different from all that have come before. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King’s life — one that adds both nuance and gravitas to his legacy as an American hero.
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr.
These 11 historic sermons–some complete recordings of entire addresses, others reconstructed from various church services–make plain why Martin Luther King Jr. considered his “first calling and greatest commitment” to be a preacher of the gospel.
I May Not Get There with You : the True Martin Luther King, Jr. by Michael Eric. Dyson
A private citizen who transformed the world around him, Martin Luther King, Jr., was arguably the greatest American who ever lived. Now, after more than thirty years, few people understand how truly radical he was. In this groundbreaking examination of the man and his legacy, provocative author, lecturer, and professor Michael Eric Dyson restores King’s true vitality and complexity and challenges us to embrace the very contradictions that make King relevant in today’s world.
Selma (DVD)
The true story of courage and hope that changed the world forever, this film shares Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historical struggle to secure voting rights for all people. A dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated with an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1964.
The King years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement by Taylor Branch
The King Years delivers riveting tales of everyday heroes who achieved miracles in constructive purpose and yet poignantly fell short. Here is the full sweep of an era that still reverberates in national politics. Its legacy remains unsettled; there are further lessons to be discovered before free citizens can once again move officials to address the most intractable, fearful dilemmas. This vital primer amply fulfills its author’s dedication: “For students of freedom and teachers of history.”