His Truth Is Marching On

John Lewis and the Power of Hope

By: Jon Meacham, John Lewis - afterword

Narrated by: JD Jackson, Jon Meacham

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

An intimate and revealing portrait of civil rights icon and longtime US congressman John Lewis, linking his life to the painful quest for justice in America from the 1950s to the present - from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Soul of America

John Lewis, who at age 25 marched in Selma, Alabama, and was beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, was a visionary and a man of faith. Drawing on decades of wide-ranging interviews with Lewis, Jon Meacham writes of how this great-grandson of a slave and son of an Alabama tenant farmer was inspired by the Bible and his teachers in nonviolence, Reverend James Lawson and Martin Luther King, Jr., to put his life on the line in the service of what Abraham Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature." From an early age, Lewis learned that nonviolence was not only a tactic but a philosophy, a biblical imperative, and a transforming reality. At the age of four, Lewis, ambitious to become a minister, practiced by preaching to his family’s chickens. When his mother cooked one of the chickens, the boy refused to eat it - his first act, he wryly recalled, of nonviolent protest. Integral to Lewis' commitment to bettering the nation was his faith in humanity and in God - and an unshakable belief in the power of hope.

Meacham calls Lewis "as important to the founding of a modern and multiethnic twentieth- and twenty-first-century America as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and Samuel Adams were to the initial creation of the Republic itself in the eighteenth century." A believer in the injunction that one should love one's neighbor as oneself, Lewis was arguably a saint in our time, risking limb and life to bear witness for the powerless in the face of the powerful. In many ways he brought a still-evolving nation closer to realizing its ideals, and his story offers inspiration and illumination for Americans today who are working for social and political change.

This audiobook includes a PDF of the book’s Appendix.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Jon Meacham (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A valuable discussion of an extraordinary man who deserves our everlasting admiration and gratitude.”—The Washington Post

“Meacham tells this story with his customary eloquence . . . a welcome reminder of the heroic sacrifices and remarkable achievements of those young radicals—20th-century America’s greatest generation.”—Eric Foner, The New York Times Book Review

“His Truth Is Marching On is well worth reading, especially for readers with an abiding interest in the intersection of religion and progressive politics . . . an inspiring book that comes at a time when the world desperately needs inspiration.”—NPR

It was good to get to know John Lewis better!

This memoir of John Lewis’ contributions to the Freedom Fighters and the Civil Rights Movement was moving. This powerful book sheds more light on the struggle. He helped lay the foundation, we need to continue the building (journey for true equality in a country/work of systemic racism) Well done, John M.

A MUST read!!

John Lewis’ story as told by Jon Meacham elicits a visceral response..... a walk in Lewis’ shoes through physical and emotional attacks with conviction and LOVE in the purest form. This should be a mandatory read for all...... thank you Jon Meacham for that journey.

Great account of the civil rights movement

I did not know John Lewis story. He showed unwavering faith, bravery, and non violent resolve during the 1960’s civil right movement. Very inspiring story and an excellent audio book.

Most enjoyable - thank uou

With this author & choice of subject the only outcome possible was Tremendous! Not just informative but Meacham helped me feel like I was there - thank you

An American who Loved His Country

Young people can gain a lot from reading this book. John Lewis taught so much throughout his life by practicing love and faith in mankind. I found the book informative and insightful. Great job!

Honesty, Integrity and God

Excellent historical accounts from a man who saw HOPE and JUSTICE for ALL. All is not lost yet if the children of America are allowed to learn our true history.

Inspiring and Informative

Jon Meacham brings his considerable story telling skills to bear on an incredibly important life.  Although not a full scale autobiography, this story tells the tale of the times through which Lewis passed clearly, focusing on the sit ins of the late 50s and the marches of the early 1960s in time frame.  Interweaved with the narrative is the spiritual background of the church and Lewis’s Christianity and a clear window into the philosophy of non-violence.  Providing a picture of real progress, a realistic view of how much remains to be done, and the perspective of hope that can power future progress, this book is a substantive contribution to the history of the civil rights movement, and hopefully its future.  It is also an excellent place to start learning about that movement.  The performance by J.D. Jackson is excellent; he projects the rhythms of the black pulpit well when the text calls for it, without overusing that particular voice.

Timeless Review of US Fight for True Liberty & Freedom for ALL!!!

Detailed review of the people, events & details of civil rights struggles of the 1st half of the 20th century.

If John Lewis can have Hope for US, we all need to be inspired to speak up for morality.

Required reading!

Mr. Lewis was one of my heroes! I believe that this book should be required reading for any student in either middle school or high school! They need to learn the lessons of Mr. Lewis’ courageous fight against segregation & racism. Students should learn about getting into “good trouble!”

Join the Beloved Community with John Lewis

John Meacham is brilliant in his telling of John Lewis' amazing journey demonstrating through nonviolence MLK Jrs' concept of the beloved community. A timely message for out turbulant times. Thank you for antidote to news of crazy 45.