Why We Can't Wait (Signet Classics)

Very good book. Learned a few new things about the teaching and understanding of nonviolence tactics and how useful MLK used it as a tool to fight Bull Connor and the rest of the segregationist in 1963 Alabama.

King discusses the succession of strategies attempted by the civil-rights movement, leading to its (in 1963) recent arrival at active nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. He recognizes that this is not new with his movement, but sees it as the most advanced, most moral, and therefore most effective approach to changing both general public opinion and the entrenched views of a specific oppressor class. He gives a good sense of how supporters learned from failure and applied the lessons to later campaigns.

Reading this book today presents a double view. We see both King’s brilliant and impassioned rhetoric of hope—some of which has been realized—and the passages that describe conditions in 1963 that are not much changed in 2018. King points out that Birmingham in 1963 was the most segregated big city in America. Half a century later, Alabama was still a center of racial injustice (see Bryan Stephenson’s book “Just Mercy”). Progress has been made, but the mission of recognition for all citizens as citizens, for all persons as persons, is not yet accomplished.

A new anthology on Martin Luther King's political philosophy, "To Shape a New World" (2018) edited by Harvard University professors Tommie Shelby and Brandon Terry has inspired me to read or reread the five books that King published during his life. Published in 1964, King's third book, "Why We Can't Wait" focuses on the 1963 Civil Rights campaign in Birmingham, Alabama. King and others had described Birmingham as the most segregated city in America. The national exposure the Birmingham Civil Rights Campaign received and the brutality of the police response under "Bull" Connor to the demonstrations led to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

King organized the book around his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" which forms the fifth of the work's eight chapters. Beginning in April, 1963, King had been leading a boycott of stores in downtown Birmingham and leading a voter registration drive and a series of demonstrations. The demonstrations had been going slowly , although many participants had been arrested. King decided to violate a local court order and to participate in a march anticipating his likely arrest. King was arrested and was held in jail for eight days and during his confinement wrote this "Letter".

King's "Letter" was a response to a published statement by eight Montgomery clergymen criticizing the ongoing Montgomery demonstrations as unwise and untimely and asking for a more moderate approach to change including negotiations with the city leaders. The statement criticized "outsiders", including King, getting involved and inflaming the situation in Montgomery. King gave an eloquent response which emphasized the long history of discrimination against African Americans and the pressing need for justice in Birmingham. King had been invited to Birmingham by the local civil rights leadership, but his response is much broader and discusses the moral responsibility to fight injustice where it occurs. King's Letter invokes what is known as natural law and discusses the ways of identifying the difference between "just" and "unjust" laws. As the Letter goes forward, King adopts an increasingly passionate tone, criticizes moderates and established churches for their timidity, and explains the need for African Americans to move forward to secure their right to human dignity. King's "Letter" has become a classic in American political thought and American literature.

The remainder of "Why We Can't Wait" is effectively organized around the "Letter". It gives King's own perspective of the history of the Birmingham movement just as his earlier book "Stride Toward Freedom" had given King's perspective on the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott. The book is both a historical document and an explanation of the approach and goals of the Civil Rights Movement.

In the opening chapter King explores the significance of the year 1863, a century after the Emancipation Proclamation, for the outbreak of what he termed the Negro Revolution. King continues in the second chapter with a history of discrimination in the Reconstruction years and up to King's time, and discusses the considerations which led to the Birmingham campaign. King next describes segregated Birmingham under "Bull" Connor, a nemesis of the Civil Rights Movement, and then discusses the early stages of the Birmingham Campaign.

Following the "Letter" the book then continues with the involvement of the Kennedy Administration and a series of agreements reached with the business and political leaders of Birmingham. Unfortunately, the success of the agreement was short-lived, as a wave of violence from die-hard segregationists hit Birmingham, including the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, which killed four young girls attending Sunday school. Only many years after the event and after King's death were participants in the bombing apprehended and brought to justice. In the final chapter of his book, King addresses the need for additional measures, including a form of reparations, to address the poverty and lack of opportunity plaguing African Americans. King also offers perceptive comments on Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson and their strengths and weaknesses in the struggle for civil rights.

"Why We Can't Wait" is an extraordinary book and probably the best of King's five books. King worked carefully on the book and also had the assistance in its writing of several of his associates. The book offers King's own perspective on the Birmingham Campaign and its aftermath. In the "Letter" and throughout the book, King explains eloquently and passionately the necessity for the Civil Rights Revolution and the importance and nature of the philosophy and practice of nonviolence in securing just social change.

Robin Friedman

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

And the famous......

“I Had a Dream....”

And can never forget.....

"Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last."

If you don't know the voice to these quotes then you need to either go back to school or locate your library as quick as you can. The visionist who, with courage, spoke these words to the ears of every person on the planet. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. as you know is well known for his speaking for civil rights movement in the time when folks didn't "get along well with other" because of the skin color. Back in the day it was unheard of for White folk and Black folks could be seen together in a public place; for them to sit casually in a resturant and just eat breakfast. Today...we hardly ever have this problem. Kids in school can understand what their teachers mean by "segregated" "racial differences". To fully understand what really happened back in the day, what took place and how the "people" felt it's always best to go to a non-fiction book. And I, as your librarian, have the perfect book for the young minds that are trying to understand who, what, where when and the why. Why We Can't Wait by the man himself, Martin Luther King Jr.

Why We Can't Wait talks about the Birmingham, Alabama (which was well known as the most racially segregated city in the United States at that time) druing the 1963 which was a very crucial year for the civil rights movement. King demonstrated with many other outspoken people to the world the power of nonviolent direct action by examining the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that furture generations (like us) must accomplish to bring about full equality.

The other reason why this book is perfect for young minds trying to understand what went on during that time frame is that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote most of this book was written along with a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" King wrote in April of 1963. Trying to get inside the mind of one of the great outspoken leaders of our time? Try your local library and ask about Martin Luther King Jr. You might find something you weren't even looking for!!!

This book focuses on the Birmingham Alabama campaign for civil rights justice. It offers a few of the key elements of success for non-violence, as well as King’s famous letter from a Birmingham jail. King comments on politics and the trajectory of civil rights shortly after, in about 1963 as this book comes to publication. It is a classic certainly.

A fantastic book about a sad and yet inspiring period of American history. Martin Luther King describes, in his own words, what happened in Birmingham, AL in 1962-3, what they were trying to achieve, and why it was so imperative that the momentum continue. Relative to reading history books on the topic in class, this account gives you a true sense for how amazing and brave those who took part in this movement are. Despite the massive injustice of the period, these inspiring people, held fast to non-violent protest.

I was amazed by careful mental training that people underwent to enter into protest. MLK describes the need for these individuals to be certain that they could react to physical violence without retaliation. I consider how quick the average person is to react to the most minor of slights in today's daily life. It makes you realize that training to fight is so much easier than training not to fight.

It was intriguing how they constructed the movement, standing fast despite the laws and pressures. Leaders had multiple opportunities to "get out easily". Yet, they held fast together in solidarity. Some even met death as a function of there beliefs.

For those studying the period, this type of first hand account provides the nuance that is necessary to understand the character and moral fiber of these brave individuals.

I am greatly impressed with the words that Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1929-68) wrote in this report of the civil rights movement during the campaign of 1963. "Why We Can't Wait" is a handbook for Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA). Dr King, as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) exemplifies the power of organised religion when it addresses social ills. Most of religion is too other-worldly to be any earthly good. Dr King laments his disappointment at hearing ministers say, "those are social issues with which the gospel has no real concern." Fortunately, for all of us, Dr King led his ministry in a different direction. This book is an outline for understanding the practice of NVDA. Dr King begins by explaining that the Negro Revolution of 1963 was sparked by factors which included (a) slow pace of school desegregation (b) disappointment with US political system (c) the success of minorities around the globe to attain political power and (d) 100 years had passed since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation without any profound affect. Dr King then reports on the entire campaign of desegregation as it was staged in one of the most segregated cities of the US. The second and more important theme, from my point of view, of this book is why this revolution took place in cities such as Birmingham, Alabama within the context of NVDA. Dr King credits the power of the church to focus the energy of a frustrated, angry and resentful people as the reason for the success of NVDA. Dr King reports that "every volunteer was required to sign a commitment card that read" as its first of 10 commandments : "MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus." In addition to the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it was ministers who were leading the people. Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the leaders of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights; Reverend James Lawson, expelled from Vanderbilt University for civi-rights work; Reverend James Bevel, an experienced leader of many campaigns; Reverend Bernard Lee, leader of the student movement at Alabama State College; Reveren Andrew Young, and many more religious leaders who rolled up their sleeves and joined the fight. Regretably, not all leaders of organised religion joined in, and "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is Dr King's response. If you are interested in NVDA and the positive role which organised religion can play in social change, this book will be interesting to you.

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.”

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

And the famous......

“I Had a Dream....”

And can never forget.....

"Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last."

If you don't know the voice to these quotes then you need to either go back to school or locate your library as quick as you can. The visionist who, with courage, spoke these words to the ears of every person on the planet. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. as you know is well known for his speaking for civil rights movement in the time when folks didn't "get along well with other" because of the skin color. Back in the day it was unheard of for White folk and Black folks could be seen together in a public place; for them to sit casually in a resturant and just eat breakfast. Today...we hardly ever have this problem. Kids in school can understand what their teachers mean by "segregated" "racial differences". To fully understand what really happened back in the day, what took place and how the "people" felt it's always best to go to a non-fiction book. And I, as your librarian, have the perfect book for the young minds that are trying to understand who, what, where when and the why. Why We Can't Wait by the man himself, Martin Luther King Jr.

Why We Can't Wait talks about the Birmingham, Alabama (which was well known as the most racially segregated city in the United States at that time) druing the 1963 which was a very crucial year for the civil rights movement. King demonstrated with many other outspoken people to the world the power of nonviolent direct action by examining the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that furture generations (like us) must accomplish to bring about full equality.

The other reason why this book is perfect for young minds trying to understand what went on during that time frame is that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote most of this book was written along with a "Letter from Birmingham Jail" King wrote in April of 1963. Trying to get inside the mind of one of the great outspoken leaders of our time? Try your local library and ask about Martin Luther King Jr. You might find something you weren't even looking for!!!

This book focuses on the Birmingham Alabama campaign for civil rights justice. It offers a few of the key elements of success for non-violence, as well as King’s famous letter from a Birmingham jail. King comments on politics and the trajectory of civil rights shortly after, in about 1963 as this book comes to publication. It is a classic certainly.

A fantastic book about a sad and yet inspiring period of American history. Martin Luther King describes, in his own words, what happened in Birmingham, AL in 1962-3, what they were trying to achieve, and why it was so imperative that the momentum continue. Relative to reading history books on the topic in class, this account gives you a true sense for how amazing and brave those who took part in this movement are. Despite the massive injustice of the period, these inspiring people, held fast to non-violent protest.

I was amazed by careful mental training that people underwent to enter into protest. MLK describes the need for these individuals to be certain that they could react to physical violence without retaliation. I consider how quick the average person is to react to the most minor of slights in today's daily life. It makes you realize that training to fight is so much easier than training not to fight.

It was intriguing how they constructed the movement, standing fast despite the laws and pressures. Leaders had multiple opportunities to "get out easily". Yet, they held fast together in solidarity. Some even met death as a function of there beliefs.

For those studying the period, this type of first hand account provides the nuance that is necessary to understand the character and moral fiber of these brave individuals.

I am greatly impressed with the words that Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1929-68) wrote in this report of the civil rights movement during the campaign of 1963. "Why We Can't Wait" is a handbook for Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA). Dr King, as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) exemplifies the power of organised religion when it addresses social ills. Most of religion is too other-worldly to be any earthly good. Dr King laments his disappointment at hearing ministers say, "those are social issues with which the gospel has no real concern." Fortunately, for all of us, Dr King led his ministry in a different direction. This book is an outline for understanding the practice of NVDA. Dr King begins by explaining that the Negro Revolution of 1963 was sparked by factors which included (a) slow pace of school desegregation (b) disappointment with US political system (c) the success of minorities around the globe to attain political power and (d) 100 years had passed since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation without any profound affect. Dr King then reports on the entire campaign of desegregation as it was staged in one of the most segregated cities of the US. The second and more important theme, from my point of view, of this book is why this revolution took place in cities such as Birmingham, Alabama within the context of NVDA. Dr King credits the power of the church to focus the energy of a frustrated, angry and resentful people as the reason for the success of NVDA. Dr King reports that "every volunteer was required to sign a commitment card that read" as its first of 10 commandments : "MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus." In addition to the Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it was ministers who were leading the people. Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and the leaders of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights; Reverend James Lawson, expelled from Vanderbilt University for civi-rights work; Reverend James Bevel, an experienced leader of many campaigns; Reverend Bernard Lee, leader of the student movement at Alabama State College; Reveren Andrew Young, and many more religious leaders who rolled up their sleeves and joined the fight. Regretably, not all leaders of organised religion joined in, and "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is Dr King's response. If you are interested in NVDA and the positive role which organised religion can play in social change, this book will be interesting to you.

King practiced what he preached. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Why We Can't Wait tells the story of King under a whole new light - one that I have never took the time to patiently immerse myself in. I have always taken King's life for granted. I mean, I knew he was a great revolutionary leader, who preached civil disobedience, much like Gandhi. However, I never truly appreciated what he did for his people. This book lays out every aspect of his thoughts. He cared and prayed for not only blacks, but white also. He followed his values and principles.

Throughout the book, He takes you through the workings of his mind. Everything he does is done is an organized fashion, because he truly believes that his way will work as long as everyone participates. He has faith in what he does. His great speaking ability lends him credibility as his charisma appeals to his audience. He understands what his people want. King wants equality as soon as possible, but rushing is never the key. His poised and composed nature gives him patience in everything he does. As obstacles are thrown at him, King takes one step at a time to take care of one problem at a time. He knows that his people are being thrown into jail cells for performing what King preached, but he believes that civil disobedience is the only way to approach this situation. His nonviolence approach does appeal nationwide, and most blacks do follow as they were deeply inspired and moved by his beliefs. As he preached civil disobedience at all costs, he does what he says. He is later thrown in jail in the novel for what he believed. Even though he is the leader of his organization, he was unafraid to face the white jail cells. However, he worried, not about his own health, but his people outside. He was unable to communicate and fully engage meetings to organize more important rallies. Money was an issue as he was faced with conflicts, which arose as a result of white oppression.

Overall, King's account of his civil disobedience approach is insightful and thought provoking. Despite the dangers of his job, he still continues to rally people to a nonviolent solution. The book is written finely as King writes of his personal experiences in a first person point of view. I would recommend this book if you want to find out more about the inner workings of King's mind and struggles.

However, the book gets a bit boring time to time. Though every situation is a process and progress towards equality, the writing does get a bit repetitive and can be easily stated in less information. But the book does give a good account of King's life long struggle towards African American equality.

Dr. King in this book, gives the background on the successful demonstrations in Birmingham and The 1963 March on Washington. (My father was at that march). Martin gives the insights on his Non -violent Direct Action approach and how it worked in Birmingham. He also explains what he meant in his I have a dream speech. Those who read this book will see that Dr. King favored a approach to bring African-Americans in the Mainstream that is similiar to Affirmative Action. Dr. King's mistakes were he assumed the whites in the North would favor his approach when he came to their neighborhood (Chicago 1966)and that those who favored ending segregation would support spending government money to help poor Blacks. All Americans should read this book.

Why We Can't Wait reveals the mindset and determination of one of America's most prominent African American civil rights activists, Martin Luther King Jr., explaining how he and other demonstrators, like Fred Shuttlesworth, through a nonviolent approach, helped African Americans fight for a less segregated world. This novel not only traces important events, such as the Birmingham Campaign during the Civil Rights Movement but also expresses Martin Luther King's perspective and involvement in the movement. With help from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or SCLC, Martin Luther King Jr. organized protests and marches in Birmingham against Eugene "Bull" Connor, Commissioner of Public Safety during the Birmingham Campaign. Martin Luther King's tactic was to gather a mass of people to march along the streets. He followed the Gandhian principle to "fill up the jails" in Birmingham. Before marching, every person who joined with Martin Luther King Jr. had to sign a Commitment Card, pledging themselves to the nonviolent movement. Each protestor was taught to hold in their anger and avoid violence, even if it meant being sent to jail or being beaten. Once jails were filled, the people that were arrested were moved to the fairgrounds due to lack of space in jails. Protestors waved banners and practiced sit-ins at local lunch counters and kneel-ins at local churches, causing Bull Connor to be very aggravated. Bull Connor fought off the protestors using fire hoses and attack dogs, injuring both adults and children alike. The fire hoses were at one time reported to have been strong enough to "peel bark off trees and separate bricks from mortar." Martin Luther King's nonviolent approach against Bull Connor's violent attacks was broadcast throughout the nation on television and radio, acting as a catalyst for social change.

In his novel, Martin Luther King Jr. explains why the African Americans cannot wait any longer for change to happen, that the African Americans have to make the change happen themselves. King explains the idea of tokenism. The government, to stop protests and appease demonstrators, would promise freedom for only a small group of African Americans, giving hope to the other African Americans that they would be free. However, since the government only promised a few people freedom, the other African Americans had their hopes given up. King analyzes the religious revival and the unity of the African Americans toward a single cause. He also passes on the message that it is the future generation's responsibility to grant African Americans full equality in the land of the free. He encourages followers to solve their present problems and not leave them for their children to fix.

Although sometimes his points felt redundant, Martin Luther King Jr. supports all of his arguments very well through a hodgepodge of powerful analogies and metaphors that depict the forces behind the events of the Civil Rights movement. Through his analytic view and insightful thoughts of the time period, King paints a clear image of the struggles and hardships of the African Americans during the 1960's. Being a firsthand participant in the Civil Rights Movement, King's account relates the motivations behind the movement as well as the impact of the activists' efforts. If you like learning not just the facts of history but also the reasons behind history, then you will greatly enjoy Why We Can't Wait.

I often wonder why we honor Martin Luther King with a holiday. For those who wonder why, read this book. In this book, King uses non violent techniques to force a change in the structure of race relations in this brutal city. The sixties could have been such a violent time in America had it not been for Dr. King.
With his techniques, he changed the social landscape in the deep South for the better. Why we can't wait is his reason why blacks should not tolerate a gradual change in race relations, but one that recognizes that change is needed as soon as possible.

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. is fascinating, read his book to understand the deepest and most personal thoughts of one of the most influential men in history! This book was a true "eye-opener" for me. History books fail to capture the true emotion and real personality of Martin Luther King Jr. King is commonly known by his "I had a Dream" speech, but after reading his autobiography, you will know that King has changed the world in more ways than one could ever imagine. His life is truly fascinating and hid writing is intriguing and suspenseful. It makes you contemplate how a man who has survived so many struggles and elements that are against him could have had such determination to persevere until his goal was reached.

Through this valuable account of history written by the most important figure in the movements for African Americans rights, one can see the true thought of such a genius character. Every detail of the Civil Rights movement is detailed, the amount of planning and courage that King and his peers were a part of is still unimaginable to this day. You become so involved in the Civil Rights movement when you read you feel as if you were a part of history itself! His thoughts on his most likely assassination, family and America itself can be read as well. This book is definitely a book that should be read in everyone's lifetime, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past of America, how far we have come to this day and how much more we still need to do to achieve racial equality.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his account of the Birmingham campaign, which sought to dissolve the Jim Crow status quo. From the outset of his campaign, however, tensions were present not only within the black communities, but also with whites who supported their cause. When he began to plan his strategy for nonviolent demonstrations he found that "there was tremendous resistance to [their] program from some of the Negro ministers, businessmen, and professionals in the city" (King 52). King concluded that there were several explanations for these "tensions," including that blacks "had been skillfully brainwashed to the point where he had accepted the white man's theory that he... was inferior" (King 52). Many also accused King's actions as being ill timed. The infamously racist "Bull" Conner had just lost the mayoral election and many felt that King should give the new administration a chance before demonstrating. King would pass this off as "false-optimism," and perhaps rightly so (King 53). Many also saw King as an outsider, but he combated that notion by arguing that because he was an American and there was injustice in Birmingham, there was no such thing as an outsider, and that he had descended on Birmingham with the request of an affiliated organization to help release the local black population from oppression.

King knew that if he was to succeed he would need a united community and at one point he shows true optimism at accomplishing this unity. "Somehow God gave me the power," he writes, "to transform the resentments, the suspicions, the fears and the misunderstandings I found... into faith and enthusiasm" (King 55). Nevertheless, in the midst of the movement King finds himself addressing more tensions in his response through a letter to an article printed by fellow clergymen critical of his tactics. While defending his actions, he also addresses his disappointment with many white religious organizations for not promoting desegregation on the basis of moral beliefs. More importantly, he describes "white moderates" as being more destructive than even the Ku Klux Klan. He believes that they are "more devoted to order than to justice" and though they vocally support his cause they condemn his method of direct action, and because they prefer a "negative peace" they have become a contributor to the problem (King 73).

Despite these tensions that hindered the cause, at the end of his book King seems to have a somewhat optimistic outlook on the future of the civil rights movement. The path thus far blazed had been substantial and he felt that "the upsurge of power in the civil-rights movement has given it greater maneuverability... and security" (King 138). He saw that "the Negro potential for political power is now substantial" (King 139) and "already in some states and cities in the South, a de facto alliance of Negro and sympathetic white voters has elected a new type of local official - ...[the] nonsegregationist" (King 140). Overall, King felt that "American politics needs nothing much so as an injection of the idealism, self-sacrifice and sense of public service which is the hallmark of our movement" (King 141).

King's optimism was not misplaced. He recognized both the dividing factors and the unifying factors between whites and blacks and between blacks themselves. In 1964, while he was writing his book, President Johnson was busy working on his "Great Society" legislation, which included the Civil Rights Act. This act banned Jim Crow laws, which was King's main objective in Birmingham all along. In fact, he had gained the attention of Johnson throughout his demonstrations, and even received support from the President. Johnson would also pass into effect laws for fair voting in 1965 (furthering King's idea of the black political power), and in 1969 another law involving fair housing would pass through Congress. As the government furthered its involvement into the cause of civil rights King's optimism had begun to pay off. Although the movement would be a torrid river, plagued with stones and dams, King saw the channels with which to ultimately reach the shore of equality.

As a piece of history Why We Can't Wait is certainly important, and at times, as in the letter portion of the book, the arguments are both eloquent and compelling. Unfortunately, as a book it can at times be dry and repetitive. It is worth reading, certainly, but not one to pick up again and again.

When you think of Martin Luther King, Jr., you don't really think of the books he's written - but that can only be because his other accomplishments have been so overwhelming. This is an incredible book, expounding the potential of nonviolent direct action in the context of the then-recent struggle in Birmingham. In addition, Dr. King gives a preliminary look at his "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged" - an economic aid package for poor and dispossessed Americans, both black and white. Reading this book over forty years after it was written, the fact that the US has still never addressed (or been made to address) reparations for slavery makes each page shine with renewed vigor. Finally, anyone who thinks Dr. King would not have supported affirmative action could benefit from a thorough reading of chapter eight. Overall, an enlightening and eye-opening insight into one of history's foremost thinkers.

This book captures Dr. King's message and thoughts through his own writings and actions. I highly encourage anyone searching for leadership strategies to read this. Dr. King outlines the methods to develop a coalition, how to organize it and most importantly how to sustain it through times of adversity and self-doubt! I've read many books by or about Dr. King previously, this is a must-have!

I was high school senior in 1964. This book helped me to put all of the history into its proper perspective. This book also helped me to better understand just what the struggle was all about and what it means for today.

This is a fantastic work by Martin Luther King Jr discussing the 1963 situation in Birmingham, Alabama, where King and others took a big step towards bringing down racism.
King's words and ideas are truly provocing, and should be read by all - they are not just applicable to the situation in 1963, but also to our lives today.
If everybody read this book and listened to its message, the world would be a better place.

This book provided a wonderful insight to the Civil Rights movement that you just don't learn in schools. It gave me a whole new appreciation for those who took up the struggle for equality. A must read if you love the civil rights movement!!

Although this book gives a good look into what went on during the beginning of this struggle for freedom, there is too much generalizing, simple retelling of facts, and logical conclusions for my taste. Come on man, where's the feeling?