• April 4, 1968

  • Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America
  • By: Michael Eric Dyson
  • Narrated by: Michael Eric Dyson
  • Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (314 ratings)

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April 4, 1968

By: Michael Eric Dyson
Narrated by: Michael Eric Dyson
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Publisher's summary

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., the prophet for racial and economic justice in America, was fatally shot. Only hours earlier, he had ended his final public speech by promising that "we as a people will get to the Promised Land."

Now, at the 40th anniversary of King's assassination, acclaimed public intellectual Michael Eric Dyson gives a comprehensive reevaluation of the fate of America, specifically Black America, since that date.

Ambitiously and controversially, he investigates the ways in which we as a people have made it to that Promised Land King spoke of, and the many areas in which we still have a long way to go.

April 4, 1968 takes a sweeping view of King's death, remembering all the toil, triumph, and tribulation that led to that fateful date while anticipating the ways in which King's legacy will affect the future of the United States.

©2008 Michael Eric Dyson (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Ic.

What listeners say about April 4, 1968

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, read by author

This is truly a great book it not only tells about the tragic day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assinated, but gives a history of the other people involved. And how each of the players were involved with King. As well as where they are in 2008.

The reading by the author, Michael Eric Dyson, makes the book espesially good. I highly recommend this book to all who loved King as I did.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Informative and interesting, but

I don't agree that MLK would be as liberal as M.E.D. has imagined in the final section of the book. We assume that MLK would have embraced the LGBTQ community. He may have, but he may have also issued a moral critique while advocating for legal and human rights. 🤷🏾‍♂️ We don't know, but it is not fair to assume MLK would agree with the liberal agenda.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great read!

Great insight and reading by the author! I enjoy listening to Mr. Dyson on just about everything!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Truly inspiring

I truly learned some things I did not know before about Dr King. Thought provoking.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

awsome

a wonderful journey not making a myth , just a wonderful time..you will learn a

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling

With so many books about Martin Luther King, Jr. on the market and with a flood of new ones recently published to capture the interest surrounding the 40th anniversary of King's murder, why pick up another one?

First, Michael Eric Dyson has proven to be one of the most engaging and thought-provoking social commentators of the past few years. Second, he brings both his deep intellect as well as his accessible communication gifts to this tribute to Rev. Dr. King, and the impact of his life and death on our society. Dyson does a great job of setting April 4, 1968 in the context of the time, reflecting of King's difficulties and depression, as well as his notoriety and success. But more than merely a tribute to a fallen leader, Dyson also examines the aftermath, both good and bad, especially within the African-American community, but also for our world as a whole. A powerful "literary license" is Dyson's epilogue, an "interview" with King on his 80th birthday--a truly thought inspiring chapter.

With a host of volumes about King on the market, this one is well worth exploring.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book to Read on King!

I always enjoy reading books from Rev. Dr. Michael E. Dyson. He always knows how to fabricate sociology notion, academia concept and spiritual connection to the books he has written. This book is no different about Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition, what I enjoyed listening to it now after the Administration of President Obama; I can analyze how far America has really come not only 49 years after King's death but also after the tenure of President Obama's administration. Again, good book, would recommend all to read/ listen if you are a King Theologian.

RCF

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book.

Really liked how the generational lines were drawn. Enjoyed the additional context and perspective on historical events.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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You did it again!

Thank you for your service to our community and our nation because you tell it, and told it, like it t-I-is!

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  • MJ
  • 06-08-22

Amazing Listen

If you've ever had a curious eye for the struggles of our civil rights leaders, this book delves deep into a pocket a history and shares nuisances that broadens your appreciation of our heroes.

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