The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

By: Clayborne Carson - editor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Narrated by: Levar Burton

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

He was a husband, a father, a preacher - and the preeminent leader of a movement that continues to transform America and the world. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the twentieth century's most influential men and lived one of its most extraordinary lives. Now, in a special program commissioned and authorized by his family, here is the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr. drawn from a comprehensive collection of writings, recordings, and documentary materials, many of which have never before been made public.

This history-making autobiography is Martin Luther King in his own words as read by others and in his own words and voice: the mild-mannered, inquisitive child and student who chafed under and eventually rebelled against segregation; the dedicated young minister who continually questioned the depths of his faith and the limits of his wisdom; the loving husband and father who sought to balance his family's needs with those of a growing, nationwide movement; and the reflective, world-famous leader who was fired by a vision of equality for people everywhere.

In original recordings of his own vivid, compassionate voice, here at last is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s unforgettable chronicle of his life and his legacy. Years in the making, and woven together from thousands of recordings and documents, including letters to his family and diary entries, this program is a unique compilation which includes many rare recordings of Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering sermons, speeches, lectures, and addresses. Highlights include "I Have a Dream," "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," and "The Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech."

©1998 Intellectual Properties Management, Inc., All Rights Reserved; ©1998 Time Warner AudioBooks (Packaging Only), A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing (P)1998 Intellectual Properties Management, Inc., All Rights Reserved; 16 9; 1998 Time Warner AudioBooks (Packaging Only), A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Critic reviews

• Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 1999

"More than a resource, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., is a keepsake." (AudioFile)

Profound and relevant

We can all learn a lot from MLK’s life and testimony , this message and fight is as relevant today as it was back then . God bless you readers

Masterpiece

An unforgettable experience. I recommend this as a required listening experience. I have a newer greater appreciation for the man MLK Jr was. A man of courage

Loved his story

I loved listening to the history behind it all. The speeches mixed in is a love hate relationship for me. I did enjoy them at the end but at the beginning they did not flow very well

In tears

I loved hearing every single word of this. Levar is a wonderful reader. I'm a white man, and MLK is my personal hero and I want to follow in his footsteps of being used by God to show love in this world. I pray for the same boldness and deep spirit that MLK had. So thankful for him.

Engrossing

Don’t miss this. Such a great and wonderful autobiography. Hearing the speeches was immensely moving.

Get reacquainted with a legend

This book which is primarily writings of King interspersed with some autio of his speeches is illuminating and heart breaking at the same time. The passages tell the story of King's struggle to achieve justice for the poorest Americans -- black and white -- through non-violent confrontation with corrupt systems in the North and in the South. His words are so apt for today's turbulent times, it is astounding. I feel honored to have spent some time with this man-- and know I will return for a listen to uplift my spirit and for insight, again and again. Beautifully read.

Best Audio Book Ever

This book includes actual speeches of Dr. King. You'll never hear anything more moving. Excellent.

I am hispanic,

I've been in USA for more than 20 years. I have read some of MLK speeches before. It is a complete different experience to get this book, understand exactly where the civil movement was, realize the pressure and anguish of these leaders risking all going to waste, with so many sacrifices and lost of lives, and then listen to the speeches as it happened. I don't know how many times these words brought tears to my eyes and renewed my view of the civil rights movement as well as my education reshaping my opinions down to my moral principles.

Front seat rollercoaster audiobook autobiography!

Absolutely amazing. I thought I knew the ending, but was mistaken and grateful for this literary performance being taken on a road trip glimpse of Dr. Martin King Jnr's life.

The bravest man in living memory

A truely remarkable story of the bravest man in living memory. Every "activist" of today's world should read this before they ignorantly assume that violence is the only solution.