A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement

Mrs. McKinstry weaves a compelling narrative highlighted with excerpts of Dr.King's speeches. While reading her story, I felt like I lived through the Birmingham bombing with her. I had the Kindle version, but bought the hardcopy so I could get her to sign it when she came to Denver. She was a sensitive and peaceful in person as she seemed in her book.

Fantastic true story of what really happened in Alabama during the 1960's and the realization of how bad hate really was towards an african-american. I would recomend this book to anyone who loves history.

Wonderful book- a story well told. I am thankful that Mrs. McKinstry introduced me not only to her suffering and triumph, but also to the forgotten ones. I have a greater appreciation of just how much I am indebted to those who sacrificed so so much for my freedom.

First person history of the victory of love, hope, and forgiveness over hatred, ignorance and complacency in the battlefield of equality under the law.
I'm stunned finding this book so emotive, evocative and truly loving.

Great book based on history. I think documentation is important. School history books aren't always the most accurate so if you/we were there and you can write about it... you should. Great job with the writing and thank you for doing it.

This book was very educational for me. I was never much into history back in school when it was being taught, however as I get older I find my self wishing I paid more attention in history class. The way Carolyn married her personal testimony with historical events, quotes and biblical lesson keeps me wanting more. The only thing I would like to have seen that wasn't there,was a visual timeline of the events of both the civil rights movement, and her personal life. However her thoroughness allowed me to put one together for myself. Very interesting book.
My heart goes out to all who suffer(ed) due to ignorance and outright disobedience of God's word. And May God bless all who rise above the hate, and Love as God commands us to do.

I remember reading the article in the newspaper when 4 little girls were killed in the
Birmingham church bombing. To read this book is an inside view of that day and what happened to another little girl that lived. This book tells how something so traumatic can affect the rest of your life. Carolyn's story of forgiveness makes me wish I were a better
person. "While the World Watched" is a good book.

Found this memoir both interesting and informative. Experienced many of these events as an outsider...but the insider reports add a perspective and depth that I really appreciate. The only real complaint I had was that the author became a bit preachy in the last section. Otherwise I would have rated the book higher.

The bombing at 16th st church in Birmingham September 15 1963, through the eyes of a child who witnessed the death of her 4 friends, the struggles she had throughout her life, justice served 40 years later and the forgiveness for the unnecessary murders of 4 dear friends, an in depth look during civil rights movement

Thought provoking and stunning first hand account of the civil right injustices through a child's eye only now written in her adulthood. Throughout the book are excerps of speeches made by MLK, JFK and others. I was just a baby during the early 60s and although am aware of the fight, this really brought the true feelings to the surface. The author is a remarkable woman to have lived through this and I am glad she is now sharing her story.

This book is a well written account of the impact of a survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The focus has been on the four little girls who were killed but we now have the opportunity to hear a voice of a person who survived. This is a rare find. There were many who were physically and psychologically impacted by this bombing.

Having lived through the civil rights era, and remembering when this church was bombed in Birmingham, I was very interested in Carolyn McKinstry's telling of her experience of the political climate of the times, and also of the personal loss of all her little girlfriends.

How stubborn, cruel and heartless we can be. We have to place ourselves in those years, and try to understand the historic moment. A tradition cannot be erased suddenly by a law, unfortunately, it takes time and effort of brave people. Thank you Carolyn for your love and remembrance of so many martyrs. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speeches are wonderful!

This was a great memoir and educational testing. It reminds me of our country's struggle that we are still battling today and gives me hope that it can and will change. Change being out the best and worst in people, which is natural... Dr. King' s has been realized and progress took truly fulfil that dream is still being made....not only for black people....but for the human race as a whole.

My book club read this as our April selection. It was good to read a personal point of view of such a tragic experience. Mrs. McKinstry provided insight that could only come from someone who was there during this terrible time in our history.
My club members were in awe of her strength and her willingness to share her vulnerabilities.

I appreciate this book, it is an interesting read. I did find myself skipping a few pages, but only when the author started giving an obvious history lecture. As a history teacher, I think I can skip it! Her life gives a unique perspective into one of the catalyst to the Civil Rights Movement.

Thanks to the author for sharing her life. Hers is truly an amazing journey through hate and love and pain and forgiveness. Her take on life is a lesson worth reading. It is frightening to think these events were part of my country's not too distant past. We must be ever vigilant of man's inhumanity to man. Stop watching and act.

After meeting Dr. McKinstry in person, I ordered the book. This wonderful, kind, warm, intelligent, gentle lady has written a book which so personal, yet also educational, informative and convicting. To have experienced all that she has and now stand for love and forgiveness is a testament to her dignity and character. The story is heart rending for certain, and influences the reader to treat others better and to stand for right and truth.
This book makes Civil Rights and our nation's history part of all of our history.

Very personal and touching first hand account of friendships and love, not only with the four girls killed in the bombing, but also the author's family. Reading the details kept me spell bound the entire time as I wept for society's disregard for the four lives but felt relieved by the author's final resolution of her agonies. It is such a precious book.

Recently I had watched a movie about MLK JR., there was a segment of where he delivered the eulogy of the four girls killed in the bombing of the church in Birmingham, Alabama. Discovered this book on my Kindle & had to read it. I wish people would remember how important the "movement" was, the brave people that fought for our rights, and to be the best we can be, in their honor. I am honored to have learned of the brave men, women and children. Carolyn' s book has prompted my next few readings.

While the World Watched by Carolyn Maul is a true story of her life growing up in the 60's in Brimingham Alabama. This is a story that needs to be told. At times. I wanted to cry for her and all the black people that wanted their freedom and willing to die for it. I also enjoyed Rev.Kings speeches that are in the story. However, the book is difficute to follow. One minuted she is looking at what college she is wanting to attend , the next she is a young girl bact at the 16th St. Baptist Church. I am sure she will never forget the bombing of her church and the feeling of safety that was destroyed that terrible day. Carolyn needs to work on her time line in telling a story. Because of this, is my reason for the 3 stars. I do wish her great success with this book. We all need to remember and understand what was going on in Birmingham in the 60's

This book should be read and discussed in America's classrooms. I do not believe the author is biased, but writing from her perspective as a young black girl growing up during the MLK Civil Rights Era. This is a well-written volume that deserves to be shared and discussed.

Like the author, my mother is from the Smithfield area of Birmingham and went to Parker High school. Reading this story gave me a much more clear view of what my mom escaped when she left Birmingham. It is truly a testament of how great Gods healing power is when reading about how Mrs mckinstry has been able to minister Gods love and forgiveness in her life. I learned lessons from her story that I will keep close to my heart always..

Exceptional.Learned much from Mrs. McKinstry,s book that I had never heard before. I was an unaware young mother during the early 6o's living in my own small world of babies and day to day chores. I didn't understand the severe conditions of segregation in the South.I'm so sorry! Thank you for writing for people like me.

I had read Bill O'Reilly's book: Killing Kennedy. In the book he wrote about the Birmingham bombing's and I saw this book on my Kindle list. I vaguely remembered the story and wanted to read Carolyn McKinstry's version of the actual time period. My children were very young at the time and we lived in Massachusett's. This was a world away for me.

It is ashame that you get so involved in your own life, you forget about how other people are surviving. This was a wonderful ebook to read.

Quite an eye-opener! A soul searching account of a horrific event that must have been very difficult to recount so many years after the event. The book gives the reader a very good understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and the race/colour problems of that time and it would have been so easy for the author to turn this into another black/white issue but she keeps the balance, tells it like it was, and should be given credit for her honesty and diligence in presenting her story.

Excellent book with lots of emotions. I was 9 years old when this happened. I remember my parents talking about how mean Governor Wallace was.
She was so honest and candid with her story. I admire her for forgiving the killers of her friends. I don't know if I could ever do it!!! Thank you Carolyn for sharing your story.

I was able to walk through those troublesome times from the view of the pursecuted. Very convicting.
What a blessing to see that God's great gift of grace and forgiveness came through clearly as this young women matured in her faith. I was convicted of being a part of the white Southern majority who knew but really didn't know just how horrible the clan and the like were. I pray that this testimony will be used to enlighten and bridge the gap between God's people of different races....

Mrs. McKinstry's account and testimony of her life, feelings, and ultimate forgiveness of cruelties, prejudices, and human beings who showed her evil is amazing. This is a book that should be read by every American citizen and applied to our everyday living! God bless you Carolyn Maull McKinstry.

Mrs. McKinstry took us to the time this happened & the pain she went through when her four best friends were murdered 51 years ago! May we learn from this horrible tragedy to never let it happen again!

This book has opened my eyes! This book talks about things and feelings that others want to forget. Thank you for giving us insight into an individual that refused to let this tragedy define her life. You are a remarkably strong woman.

I loved this book. Having been brought up during the same time, I enjoyed reading the feelings of the ones that were victims of the times. I think this book should be read by anyone interested in history of the Civil Rights movement.

I reviewed this book on Facebook. I appreciate the journey that the author undertook to pen this history. It's not just about her, it's about all of us, and I thank her for writing this excellent history.

This book expresses the authors soulful and painful road towards forgiveness, love and growing up in one if the most racist cities in America. It forces us, the reader to relive and reflect upon the ultimate price made by heroes for freedom and about the unbelievable joy that freedom brings. A book well worth reading is found in this one..

A historical, personal account of the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and a survivor's emotional story of loss, desperation, and ultimately, forgiveness. The reader will see the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of someone who experienced the deepest tragedies and in the end, the grandest victories. Keep the tissues handy as you become inspired by McKinstry's struggles, her faith in God, her love of others, and her dedication to keeping the memories of Denise, Carole, Addie, and Cynthia alive. This is a must read for historians, those of faith, and everyone dedicated to justice and freedom for all people.

Not knowing the story behind the tragedy that happened in Birmingham in the 60's...this book taught me so much and moved me to research the history of the Civil Rights Movement on my own. Besides that, I will pass on the knowledge to my daughters because you just aren't taught any of this in school....ever....

I have always loved history, especially the survivors of history because their stories are the real accounts not what the school books want to tell you. I always learn so much more from survivors and While the World Watched is the perfect example of survivors teaching the world what really happened, and making the events real not something that happened somewhere else and to someone else

I live in Birmingham, and Carolyn McKinstry has penned one of the best books ever. Now I am dying to meet her. Seriously, I have read other books about the civil rights movement in Birmingham and this was so moving and personal. I was in tears several times. Everyone should read this, especially those, who, like I, still live in a city that may not be "segregated," but is not truly integrated either.