Previous
Martin Luther King, Jr.: 10 good books about the civil rights leader
Every elementary school child knows his "I Have A Dream" speech, and adults can remember having seen him in grainy clips on TV or – for some lucky ones – in person. But how is Martin Luther King, Jr. remembered by biographers? Here are 10 good books for those hoping to learn about the life of a leader who changed America forever.
1. The King trilogy, by Taylor Branch
Branch’s Pulitzer-prize winning trilogy consists of “Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-1963” (Simon and Schuster, 1088 pp.), “Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years 1963-65” (Simon and Schuster, 768 pp.), and “At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years 1965-68" (Simon and Schuster, 1056 pp.). Readers agree that this all-encompassing body of work isn’t just a biography of a great man, but a portrait of America.
These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the above story is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate any copyright[s]. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.