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4.65 AVERAGE
4.65 AVERAGE
King: A Life humanized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He lived an extraordinary life. His impact was tremendous and felt by many, and I learned the same facts about him in school. He was iconized and placed on a pedestal (rightfully so). Hearing about him in a less icon-forward way, the good, the bad, and the room for improvement was fascinating. The scope, breadth, and storytelling of this book and how it leaned into using research to form the story shed light on aspects of his life, his family's life, and his peers' lives. I will reread this book. I would love to talk to others who have read and digest this book together.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
NYT Notable Books 2023: 39/100
So it turns out I knew very little about MLK and the Civil Rights movement before this book. I had no idea how much it was derailed by the Vietnam War. This was an interesting, if dense, book. Eig covered King's life well and did not shy away from things that portrayed King in a less than flattering light. My one gripe is that while it was incredibly dense and detailed for the most part, it felt like it ended so suddenly. Obviously, King was assassinated, but I would have liked for the story to have continued a bit beyond that into what happened after this death, etc. However, it was still a solid read and a good jumping-off point for anyone looking to learn more about MLK and the Civil Rights movement.
So it turns out I knew very little about MLK and the Civil Rights movement before this book. I had no idea how much it was derailed by the Vietnam War. This was an interesting, if dense, book. Eig covered King's life well and did not shy away from things that portrayed King in a less than flattering light. My one gripe is that while it was incredibly dense and detailed for the most part, it felt like it ended so suddenly. Obviously, King was assassinated, but I would have liked for the story to have continued a bit beyond that into what happened after this death, etc. However, it was still a solid read and a good jumping-off point for anyone looking to learn more about MLK and the Civil Rights movement.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Murder
inspiring
fast-paced
Apparently, a biography of Martin Luther King Jr. has not been written in a few decades before this one. This one is splendid. According to the author, he had access to many more archival materials from the FBI (who wiretapped him a lot) and other correspondences, which helped this one. I consider myself a part of the ideal audience that the author was aiming for - someone who knows a little about MLK - but no details beyond that. I listened to this as an audiobook recited by Dion Graham and his narration did make the book very enjoyable. Jonathan Eig’s prose is quite crisp and flows through the events at an even pace, easily retaining my focus, supported by the superb narration. The author uses MLK’s conversations, speeches, and recollections from others to create a portrait that helped me understand the monumental work of this man. However, the author does not shy away from some of his human traits and failings. MLK is seen through the events that shaped his short life, and while the narrative is well done, it tends to emphasize the same. I knew MLK was known for his eloquence, but this book only increased my awe. At some point, I must read or listen to his speeches in depth. I wish the author had peeled the curtain on what made MLK MLK more. I was curious to know how he learned, how he wrestled with ideas and decisions, what were his thoughts about himself, and the like. He does speak of MLK’s fears, his exhaustion, his hopes, hopelessness, etc. but mostly from the perspective of this work, not as a person. This book may not be the final say, however - a portion of the FBI’s wiretapping is to be unsealed in 2027. But, this is quite an inspiring and enjoyable book, one of the the best biographies I have read or listened to.
This is an amazing biography that presents King in all of his complexity and pain. What was most interesting to me were early chapters abt Daddy King’s call to preaching and King’s childhood. What Eig also made plain was King’s life long struggles with depression and self doubt. A man who did so much good in the world had many demons.
An exceptionally written book about an exceptional person. The author used newly available information to write a nuanced and powerful biography. King’s life, and the many contextual factors that shaped it, come alive. A great book.
This authors ability to weave other folks interesting personal side stories, into the big story is amazing. Jonathan is a gifted writer who takes facts, and relates them in the most interesting manner.
I appreciated that his grandparents stories are mentioned in the beginning of the book. Sometimes to understand a person, you need to be privy to their beginnings.
I aways knew that Martin L King was wonderful, his accomplishments are amazing. This book takes MLK off of the pedestal, that we’ve placed him on, and makes the reader aware of his humanity.
This book is a must-read.
I appreciated that his grandparents stories are mentioned in the beginning of the book. Sometimes to understand a person, you need to be privy to their beginnings.
I aways knew that Martin L King was wonderful, his accomplishments are amazing. This book takes MLK off of the pedestal, that we’ve placed him on, and makes the reader aware of his humanity.
This book is a must-read.
An incredible, easy-to-read portrait of MLK. In some parts, the book is just as much about MLK as it is about the forces against him, like the FBI and segregationists in the South—It’s impossible to read a civil rights book without reading about these foils. This book highlights MLK’s strengths and shows how he honed his impressive public speaking skills, but it doesn’t shy away from his shortcomings. I would have liked more citations and notes, but I was impressed by how many people he interviewed for this book.