Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story

King Legacy Series #1

By: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s account of the first successful large-scale application of nonviolent resistance in America is comprehensive, revelatory, and intimate. King described his book as "the chronicle of 50,000 Negroes who took to heart the principles of nonviolence, who learned to fight for their rights with the weapon of love, and who, in the process, acquired a new estimate of their own human worth." Stride Toward Freedom traces the phenomenal journey of a community and shows how the 26-year-old King, with his conviction for equality and nonviolence, helped transform the nation and the world.

©1958 Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright renewed 1986 by Coretta Scott King, Dexter King, Martin Luther King III, Yolanda King, Bernice King. Introduction Copyright 2010 Clayborne Carson (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Martin Luther King's early words return to us today with enormous power, as profoundly true, as wise and inspiring, now as when he wrote them 50 years ago." (Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States)

MLK Jr

Glad to listen to a narrator that channeled MLK in his voice and conjecture. Learning Martin Luther King Jr’s story from his perspective is quite insightful and I’m glad to have read. The end is abrupt as was the end of his life such a tragedy; but his story is a valuable message much like his speeches inspired people of the time - his story will continue to inspire people of the future.

Exceptional insight into the Struggle

I really got an appreciation of what our people went through for equal rights. Never take it for granted.

I never knew...

I was a young boy during the MLK years and really never understood or appreciated the uphill battles the blacks had to become fully integrated and obtain equality in America. I grew up in a rural very white community. My father was very bias against any other race than white Anglo, but having few around I had little appreciation for his influence. Fortunately my collegiate and professional experience helped evolve my opinion of equality for all races.
Stride Toward Freedom drove home to me, the cruel injustices towards our Afro-American citizens and the high level of integrity they conducted themselves with throughout their obtainment of equality. If we could all conduct ourselves with such integrity and dignity, I expect we would have few challenges in our nation today. Thank you for this very educational and inspiring book.

Every American Should Listen to These Words

I’ve never fully (and won’t ever) understand segregation or racism, but this account of history has given me a better understanding of this important historical event in the civil rights movement. More so, it makes me long for a renewed interest in the teachings of MLK, specifically nonviolent resistance and Christian love in action, rather than a tertiary interest in the generic cause of civil rights. MLK proved with his life that works without love is just noise.

A compelling listen that gave me greater understan

I've known some about the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and certainly heard of him growing up. I was a kid when he was assassinated and Robert Kennedy soon after. They were tumultuous times.

Of course I've heard much about Rosa Parks, but I didn't know the other parties involved in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. MLK wrote this book soon after. He talks much of non-violence as a means of protest, in contrast to armed defense of the Black Panthers, or tactics promoting violence as a means to an end.

This was his first book and I'll read his others. I would suggest reading this first. This is my fourth book for Black History Month. I'll listen to one more starting tomorrow and it'll run into March