Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year Hardcover – September 9, 2014

This book brings historical timelines, sources, and an intriguing 3rd person subjective narration voice, where MLK's state of being, feelings, etc. are expressed by the narrator as "Doc..." This bold choice results in a surprisingly intimate and page-turning account of the final year of Rev. Martin Luther King, far removed from dry historical accounts. In Smiley's book, MLK is a man, not a saint, but a man with a powerful belief in Christianity. It is his rock that he returns to repeatedly: in despair, in fear, in tumult and confusion. When the civil rights movement split into factions and when his own Southern Christian Leadership conference is rocked by internal dissent and financial problems, and the March on Washington is a distant memory as riots burn the streets- this is when MLK's principles are put to the severest test. When MLK's examination of the core cause of inequality (economic oppression) lead to an interest in materially improving the lives of black Americans (and by extension, all Americans), he focused on the poorly justified Vietnam War and poverty in America. These two extremes of governmental avarice (funding the war and de-investing in the countries' citizens) became the focus of MLK's final campaigns, and he paid dearly for them with loss of support from powerful allies and even his own organization (SCLC), along with his core nonviolent civil disobedience approach being increasingly ignored by more militant factions of resistance. MLKs' strength of character did not allow him to be swayed by popularity or politics, and his mission was still his driving force when he was assassinated in Memphis over the balcony railing at the Lorraine Motel in 1968. This book is inspiring, sobering, cautionary, and truly special. A truly inspirational and creative approach that humanizes MLK- he is a man, conflicted and torn, buffeted and weary from storms. Traveling, meeting, speaking, interacting non-stop. He gave us his everything, and paid the ultimate price. But his message, faith, and radical love shared in this book invigorate the reader, ensuring his longevity in America and the world- with inspiration and motivation for future generations. Tavis Smiley may never have had the chance to interview MLK, but this book offers an intimate portrait of a complex and dedicated man that is unforgettable. Bravo.

With the release of "Selma," we're presented with a mixed up story, maneuvered facts, outright lies, and a terrible performance on the part of the man playing King. It's sanitized, and quite frankly irrelevant to what the man became. It doesn't help that the MLKJR foundation refused to let them use verbatim speeches, so even the speeches are watered down and sanitized. Just Youtube footage of the real King, it topples the illusion the film puts forth like a house of cards. The casting director screwed the pooch. The guy doesn't even come close to the Dr King I know from old footage and radio addresses, his autobiography, and speeches. It's just a whole bunch of wrong. It's also telling that though the film was released in conjunction with the anniversary of Selma, many more people (by the thousands) were much happier to go bring the family to see "american sniper," a movie that is literally celebrating a guy shooting hundreds of people, (including children) he calls "savages." A movie which incidentally, is also FULL of half truths and outright lies. That's why Selma fails. It does not portray the revolutionary man, the man who literally swells your heart with his oratory mastery and vision, but just a shade, a shade of half truths and emotional hotspots that isn't galvanizing, as much as it is commemorative. It's saddens me deeply that the Jaime Foxx and Oliver Stone biopic on King that would have probably brought armies of people young and old to the theaters, was killed by the family foundation because they didn't want him to be portrayed as a radical.Well for those as frustrated with this sub par representation of one of America's truly great and selfless leaders, we luckily have this brilliant book by Tavis Smiley.This books focus is on the last year of King's life. And it's beyond anything I imagined. Everyone knows the story, but not THIS story, the actual truth of just how decimated Doc was by the time he took the podium for his last speech, makes watching the footage overwhelming for me. Anyone looking for even a basic concept of what Martin was truly all about, need look no further than this book.I had no idea he was so isolated and pressured to stop criticizing Vietnam, and to end his vision of a "Poor People's March" on Washington. That the FBI had labeled him the "most dangerous man in America." His own organization was disintegrating and challenging every move he attempted. He had little support. He was exhausted and disheartened, and although ultimately triumphant, if you think you know anything about King, read this book. If you're looking to learn about King, read this book. If you're just looking for a few hundred page amazing and true story, this is it.My one misgiving was that, unlike the meticulous and staggeringly empirical "JFK: and the unspeakable" this book doesn't go into any facts or info about the assassination. A short chapter on the facts would have been nice, a mention that King's family believed James Earl Ray to be innocent, and the implications thereof, (even without speculation). What happened to the Poor People's March.The coincidence of men shot dead who only strive for peace as an end to poverty and inequality.As a rabid fan of MLKjr, his work, his speeches, and the glorious tenor of his voice, this book was an absolute revelation. Perhaps not quite as extensive as I would have liked, but it tells a story that DESPERATELY needs to be told, and for that it gets an extra star.If you've made it this far in my review, thanks for checking it out. This is a short book, but what it accomplishes in those few hundred pages is astonishing. It's a good read for a break from news and political literature, it's inspiring. And in a time that I truly believe King would consider the spiritual death of our country to be long since passed, in a time when his last undelivered speech, "why America may be going to hell" is more relevant than ever, the heavens cried out for Tavis to deliver the truth about Doc. And he delivers. BUY IT.

This book highlights the test of leadership. It humanized the men and provides insight that anyone seeking to promote equality and uplift for humans will face challenges etc. Conversely, the pages demonstrate how your call to battle May lead to being embattled with your own inner circle. Like Jesus struggled with his disciples and trying to serve a charge greater than one self in a world of competing interest. Dr. King encountered similar setbacks trying to stay true to non violence and turning the other cheek. Great book for those interested in history, and present challenges of moral civic leadership.

First off, a friend of mine got me an autographed copy of this book and never gave it to me. She's been torturing me the past 5 months with this book until I had enough and decided to buy my own copy from Amazon.I'm glad I did. Tavis did a great job of humanizing MLK in his last year of living. As the reader we were able to have a glimpse into the daily pressures this man faced day in and day out and how his own team contributed to much of the stress he endured. It was very sad.Although I don't agree with everything King said he is a man that is worthy of all our respect as he stood up for what he believed in and he acted with love. It takes a man rooted in faith to do that. To love your enemies in the way he did.Hands down this is a worthwhile read. It's not long at all and can be read fairly quickly. It took me about 2 weeks, only because I was swamped with work and travel.If you want to learn more about the real man called MLK.. Pick this book up.

A balanced and well written book. Could not put the book down!

ich bewerte keine Bücher mehr. Nachdem ich zahllose Rezensionen hier auf Amazon gelesen habe, weiß ich, dass sie alle so subjektiv sind, dass sie nicht als objektive Bewertung taugen. Lest und bildet Euch Eure Meinung selbst!

Essential reading, Explains why we have all these wars now. Do you know any war that America is not involved in? Ukraine had 400 mercenaries, no country is untouched. They torture people in Britain.This books highlights the King's last speeches and why the President LBJ was against him and he was murdered. This is my opinion the book does not say all this. What we do know is the CIA and Ronald Reagan went behind Jimmy Carter's back when he was President. Read his biography too it kind of came to a conclusion not far removed from the King's. It's good news today to hear Japan wants Americans out and a few people in Turkey are showing them how the world feels.

I choose this book after watching the john stewart daily show, where tge author of this book was being interviewed and because I've always found the I have a dream speech to be so moving. The author spoke with great precision and confidence. I've not read a huge number of books or autobiography, but found this book to be captivating. It gave a good insight into Dr kings conflicts , problems, issues and history from the black mans perspective in the us. Frightening is that it wasn't that long ago.

This book uses concise language (without the waffle) to describe Martin Luther King's final twelve months. I wasn't alive at the time, but MLK is something of a hero to me. He wasn't perfect, yet the principles and character of the man under extreme pressure from within and without are an inspiration. Here was true greatness. Treasure in an earthen vessel.By the way, the book really is about King's final twelve months alive. The author literally stops the second King is shot. Presumably this was deliberately done in order to clearly focus on what King was thinking and doing and struggling with during that momentous and frustrating year.