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reader4evr's review against another edition
5.0
This was great, I really enjoyed the audiobook as well. I did end up looking through the actual book at the pictures which I thought were a great addition to the story.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
For me as a reader, I didn’t feel like this book provided any new info or insight about MLK Jr. or his assassination, but as a librarian I think this is a good nonfic read for middle schoolers about MLK Jr. It has a lot of background info leading up to his death, but is still has a very narrative and fast-paced feel.
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
Having read Swanson’s Manhunt about the search for John Wilkes Booth, I was excited to get this one. I’m not sure if it’s my recollection, or if it’s true, but this book seemed very simplistic in comparison. I learned some things—I had no idea that King had survived an earlier assassination attempt, for example—but the manhunt for Ray was actually pretty uneventful leading this book to be pretty anticlimactic. As Ray never really confessed, there isn’t good closure. He just suddenly decided to kill Martin Luther King, Jr. and we’ll never know why. This book never purported to solve that riddle, but I still found myself pretty let down. Worth a read in this commemorative year, but nothing spectacular.
Having read Swanson’s Manhunt about the search for John Wilkes Booth, I was excited to get this one. I’m not sure if it’s my recollection, or if it’s true, but this book seemed very simplistic in comparison. I learned some things—I had no idea that King had survived an earlier assassination attempt, for example—but the manhunt for Ray was actually pretty uneventful leading this book to be pretty anticlimactic. As Ray never really confessed, there isn’t good closure. He just suddenly decided to kill Martin Luther King, Jr. and we’ll never know why. This book never purported to solve that riddle, but I still found myself pretty let down. Worth a read in this commemorative year, but nothing spectacular.
frannieman's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
ltgrech's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Amazingly researched and referenced book about the life and assassination of MLK. There are over 100 pages of resources at the end of the book, for goodness sake! I have never seen the likes of it in any book I've ever read! I learned so much, too. The information about about the civil rights movement was a bit too truncated for my likes but it wasn't the mission of the book. The subtitle tells the reader what that goal was---the hunt for MLK's assassin. Meticulous research us right to him right along with the FBI 50 years ago!
pagesofpins's review against another edition
2.0
The pictures interspersed throughout the book were far more interesting than the book itself, and I did like that Swanson frames King's assassination story with the first and lesser known attempt on his life, when he was stabbed with a letter opener near the heart. It lent some context to the dangers King was facing and the stress of constant threats.
I think Swanson was trying to make his writing accessible to teens, but it felt simplistic and condescending. The writer and his opinions are really front and center, but it would have taken minimal effort for a smoother delivery. He specifically has to tell you that certain events were heartbreaking, that the assassin was a terrible person, etc. At length.
In contrast, tons of details are omitted: How did the police actually find the room the shot was fired from in order to search it? What on earth was James Earl Ray touching that he left a huge, visible hand print on the bathroom wall (gunpowder?), and why would he leave it there and risk it as evidence later? How does he get information on what countries to go to and which ones will give him back to the U.S. without rousing suspicion?
The manhunt has a few interesting details on how difficult a search was pre-computer database, but otherwise we're left with a lot of buildup and then, "And no one knows why he did it and he never said!" Swanson acknowledges that the motive was likely money, but dismisses the idea that someone powerful may have paid Swanson to do it, the only explanation being that his conspiracy theories were inconsistent and claimed his innocence (unsurprising, he wants to get out of prison or at least make money in prison). No information was given on why these committees ultimately decided that the FBI had harassed MLK and goaded him to commit suicide but definitely didn't kill him. No information was given on the many wealthy people who had bounties out for MLK and if any had connections to James Earl Ray. There are just....no answers.
I think Swanson was trying to make his writing accessible to teens, but it felt simplistic and condescending. The writer and his opinions are really front and center, but it would have taken minimal effort for a smoother delivery. He specifically has to tell you that certain events were heartbreaking, that the assassin was a terrible person, etc. At length.
In contrast, tons of details are omitted: How did the police actually find the room the shot was fired from in order to search it? What on earth was James Earl Ray touching that he left a huge, visible hand print on the bathroom wall (gunpowder?), and why would he leave it there and risk it as evidence later? How does he get information on what countries to go to and which ones will give him back to the U.S. without rousing suspicion?
The manhunt has a few interesting details on how difficult a search was pre-computer database, but otherwise we're left with a lot of buildup and then, "And no one knows why he did it and he never said!" Swanson acknowledges that the motive was likely money, but dismisses the idea that someone powerful may have paid Swanson to do it, the only explanation being that his conspiracy theories were inconsistent and claimed his innocence (unsurprising, he wants to get out of prison or at least make money in prison). No information was given on why these committees ultimately decided that the FBI had harassed MLK and goaded him to commit suicide but definitely didn't kill him. No information was given on the many wealthy people who had bounties out for MLK and if any had connections to James Earl Ray. There are just....no answers.
angstyp's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Great for those looking for basic to mid-indepth information on this national tragedy and its effect on America.
Great for those looking for basic to mid-indepth information on this national tragedy and its effect on America.