Selected Books, Children's Books, Video Tapes

Selected Books

Albert, Peter J. We Shall Overcome: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Black Freedom Struggle . New York: Pantheon Books, 1990. 294p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 W4 1990; Location: Waldo Library)

This collection of papers by 15 black scholars explores King's career, education and other influences that shaped his character, and his place in African American history. The essays were delivered at a conference sponsored by the U.S. Capital Historical Society in Washington, D.C., in 1986.

Ansbro, John J. Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Making of a Mind . Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1982. 352p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 A79; Location: Waldo Library)

Provides a detailed account of the intellectual and spiritual formation of Martin Luther King, Jr., including the influences and ideas that shaped King's life's work.

Bleiweiss, Robert M., ed. Marching to Freedom: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: New American Library, 1969. 152p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 B55 1969; Location: Waldo Library)

This very readable but brief biography begins with King's death in 1968, and then backtracks to his birth and education, before proceeding to highlight his career as a minister and a civil rights activist. Published in the year of King's death, it represents an early perspective on King's life.

Colaiaco, James A. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Apostle of Militant Nonviolence. St. Martin's Press, 1988. 238p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 C65 1988; Location: Waldo Library)

This short but thorough work touches on all the main issues and themes of the life of King, and puts them into the context of the times. This is more than a fact-by-fact biography since it reveals the ideological contradictions (for example, the paradox of provocative nonviolence) underlying the events he relates.

Daynes, Gary. Making Villains, Making Heroes: Joseph R. McCarthy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Politics of American Memory. New York: Garland Publishing, 1997. 273p.
(Call Number: E169.04.D39 1997; Location: Waldo Library)

In a rather unique manner, Daynes sets out to evaluate the extent to which political bias has actually influenced the creation of history in the United States since the 1950s. He does so by focusing on two very different individuals who have left a pronounced legacy to the American people: Joseph McCarthy and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Garrow, David J. Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. New York: Vintage Books, 1988. 800p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 G36 1988; Location: Waldo Library)

Using materials from every possible archive as well as data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and in interviews, Garrow greatly enhances our appreciation of King and his contribution to history. Focusing on King's involvement with the SCLC, the author does not tell us what he makes of King's life, but instead offers readers the information on which to base their own conclusions.

Garrow, David J. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Civil Rights Leader, Theologian, Orator . Brooklyn, NY: Carlson Publishing, 1989. 3 volumes.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 M33 1989; Location: Waldo Library)

The focus of this book is King's participation in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the middle decades of the 20th century. It portrays his interaction with the staff members of the major civil rights institutions and the other participants in that struggle.

King, Coretta Scott. My Life With Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1969. 372p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 K5; Location: Waldo Library)

In this memoir, Coretta Scott King describes growing up in rural Alabama, meeting her husband, their family life, and their work in the Civil Rights Movement. This is a significant work by virtue of the personal insights and perspectives that Mrs. King brings to light about the life of her husband.

King, Martin Luther. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Intellectual Properties, Inc. and Warner Books, 1998. 400p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 A52 1998; Location: Best Seller Collection, Waldo Library)

Editor Clayborne Carson presents a compelling life narrative from the words of King, weaving together what King wrote or said at various times, covering the early years to the unfulfilled dreams of the slain civil rights leader. King's distinctive first-person perspective resonates through the book, tracing his growth as a religious and political figure and defining his character through thought and action as he reaches to understand himself, his god, and his world.

King, Martin Luther. The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1992- . 3 volumes to date.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 A2 1992; Waldo Library)

This voluminous undertaking, beginning with its long biographical and analytical introduction, provides invaluable material about King's intellectual development and his work on behalf of civil rights in the United States and the world. Volume 1 focuses on King's birth through 1951; volume 2 on the years between 1951 and 1955; and volume 3 on the pivotal year of 1956.

King, Martin Luther. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr . San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. 702p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 A25 1991; Location: Waldo Library)

Arranged topically with the first section devoted to King's philosophy, this anthology is subdivided into essays on religious nonviolence, problems of integration and issues of democracy, and black nationalism. Following this are sections of addresses, sermons, interviews, historical essays, and book excerpts.

Lewis, David L. King: A Biography. 2nd ed. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1978. 468p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 L45 1978; Location: Waldo Library)

This early biography of King, now in its second edition, is well researched and clearly written, although it does contain some omissions. For example, Lewis does not investigate the militant tradition of the black church, especially in the South, and the progressive evolution of King from a nonviolent, civil rights activist, to a man who had begun to clearly understand the economic roots of the race problem and the oppression of other deprived peoples.

Lincoln, C. Eric, ed. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Profile. Rev. ed. New York: Hill and Wang, 1984. 270p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 M32 1984; Location: Waldo Library)

This collection of interpretive essays, which combine both social history and biography, commemorates the national holiday in honor of Dr. King's birthday. It includes essays by such writers as James Baldwin, David Halberstam, Carl Rowan, August Meier, and others.

Lischer, Richard. The Preacher King: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Word That Moved America. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. 344p.
(Call Number: BV4208.U6 L57 1995; Location: Waldo Library)

This book focuses on King's preaching--on the spoken form of his sermons rather than the published versions. Lischer explores the making of King the sermonizer, including both his academic study and mentors, and then analyzes King's sermons with regard to their content, style of delivery, and connection with King's various audiences.

Oates, Stephen B. Let the Trumpet Sound: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Harper & Row, 1982. 560p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 O18 1982; Location: Waldo Library)

This is a vivid, emotionally engrossing account of Martin Luther King, Jr., that reveals the different aspects of King's complex character. The author's King is a preacher, philosopher, charismatic leader, and civil rights advocate who was not afraid to provoke racial violence, when necessary, to force federal intervention and challenge the status quo.

Pyatt, Sherman E. Martin Luther King, Jr.: An Annotated Bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986. 154p.
(Call Number: Z8464.44.P9 1986; Location: Reference Collection, Waldo Library)

This meticulous, well-organized bibliography of writings by and about King includes books, articles, citations to remarks in the Congressional Record and other government documents, and references to declassified documents compiled by the FBI. Includes works appearing between 1955 and 1984.

Schulke, Flip. He Had a Dream: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995. 160p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 S37 1995; Location: Waldo Library)

In this pictorial work, Schulke presents and discusses photographs that he took of Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the events of the Civil Rights Movement. The photographs begin with King's funeral in 1968, then backtrack to the 1963 funeral of Medgar Evers.

Smith, Ervin. The Ethics of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: E. Mellen Press, 1981. 210p.
(Call Number: E185.97.K5 S57; Location: Waldo Library)

Based on the author's doctoral dissertation, one unique thing this book does is to pull together King's moral perspectives on selected social problems such as marriage and family life, racism, war and peace, economics, and the relationship between church and society.

Children's Books

Boone-Jones, Margaret. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Picture Story. Chicago: Childrens Press, 1968. 32p.
(Call Number: 92 K; Location: Children's Collection, Waldo Library)

A picture biography of Martin Luther King stressing the childhood that influenced him to help blacks gain equal rights.

Bray, Rosemary L. Martin Luther King. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1995. 47p.
(Call Number: 92 Kin; Location: Children's Collection, Waldo Library)

A good introduction for children to Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, his work in the civil rights movement, and his standing as "a citizen of the world;" includes material that some books for young children choose to ignore, such as his death and even the controversy surrounding the creation of a national holiday honoring him.

Clayton, Edward Taylor. Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior. New York: Pocket Books, 1969. 118p.
(Call Number: 92 Kin; Location: Curriculum Education Collection, Education Library)

A biography of the black leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., who inspired the nation to begin a non-violent campaign for equality.

Haskins, James. The Life and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr . New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1977, 176p.
(Call Number: 92 Kin; Location: Curriculum Enrichment Collection, Education Library)

An overview of the man who dedicated his life to the cause of civil rights, which also reexamines unanswered questions concerning his assassination.

Jakoubek, Robert E. Martin Luther King, Jr . New York: Chelsea House, 1989. 143p.
(Call Number: 92 Kin; Location: Children's Collection, Waldo Library)

Examines the life of the Baptist minister and civil rights leader who helped American blacks win many battles for equal rights.

Levine, Ellen. If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King. New York: Scholastic, 1990. 72p.
(Call Number: 323.119 Lev; Location: Curriculum Enrichment Collection, Education Library)

An informative question-and-answer book dealing with both Martin Luther King, Jr., and the troubled times in which he fought for equal rights for all American blacks.

Patterson, Lillie. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Freedom Movement. New York: Facts on File, 1989. 178p.
(Call Number: 92 Kin; Location: Curriculum Enrichment Collection, Education Library)

A biography of the Baptist minister, focusing on his leadership role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Ringgold, Faith. My Dream of Martin Luther King. New York: Crown, 1995. 32p.
(Call Number: E Rin; Location: Children's Collection, Waldo Library)

This African American author recounts the life of Martin Luther King in the form of her own dream.

Video Tapes

"I Have a Dream…": The Life of Martin Luther King. Santa Monica: BFA Educational Media, 1968. 35 minutes. 16 mm film.
(Call Number: FILM B240; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Uses actual news film footage in a study of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the forces that brought him to the leadership of his people.

In Remembrance of Martin WNET-TV, New York. Dallas: Idanha Films, dist. by PBS Video, 1986. 60 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V2194; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Records the tributes to the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, on the first federal holiday honoring Dr. King's birth.

King: A Filmed Record Montgomery to Memphis. Chicago: Films Incorporated, 1989. 103 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V2020; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Introduces the turbulent history of the Civil Rights Movement and follows Dr. King's career from 1955 to 1968, through newsreel and television coverage, with excerpts from speeches and interviews.

Martin Luther King: Legacy of a Dream . Chicago: Films Incorporated, 1989. 29 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V2018; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Presents a compilation of newsreel and videotape footage showing the events that secured the vote for American blacks and ultimately led to the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Includes a sketch of King's career and statements by Coretta Scott King and Andrew Young on voter registration and the need for blacks to be informed on exercising their right to vote.

Martin Luther King, Jr . Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities, 1988. 27 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V3472; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

A short study of King, the black Baptist minister who fought for freedom, justice and equality.

Martin Luther King, Jr.-The Assassin Years. Lawrence, KS: Centron Films, 1978. 26 minutes. 16mm film.
(Call Number: FILM E110; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Blends recently dramatized sequences photographed in Montgomery, Alabama, with historical newsreel footage to recapture the crusade of Nobel Prize winner Martin Luther King, Jr., and his leadership of the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Leader and the Legacy. [S.l.]: C-Span, 1987. 148 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V0405; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

This program presents a conference honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., at the first official celebration of the King national holiday. The conference features educators who lecture on Dr. King's impact on the Civil Rights Movement, leadership, the meaning of freedom, and his impact on civil rights in Third World countries.

The Promised Land (1967-1968) . Alexandria, VA: PBS Video, 1990. 60 minutes. Videocassette.
(Call Number: V1030; Location: Sangren AV, 3305 Sangren Hall)

Martin Luther King stakes out new ground for himself and for the rapidly fragmenting Civil Rights Movement. One year before his death, he publicly opposes the war in Vietnam, and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference embarks on an ambitious Poor People's Campaign. King's death and the failure of his final campaign mark the end of a major stream of the movement.

Compiled by Maria Perez-Stable, December 16, 1998