The Sword and the Shield

The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

By: Peniel E. Joseph

Narrated by: Zeno Robinson

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

This dual biography of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King upends longstanding preconceptions to transform our understanding of the 20th century's most iconic African American leaders.

To most Americans, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. represent contrasting ideals: self-defense vs. nonviolence, Black power vs. civil rights, the sword vs. the shield.

The struggle for Black freedom is wrought with the same contrasts. While nonviolent direct action is remembered as an unassailable part of American democracy, the movement's militancy is either vilified or erased outright.

In The Sword and the Shield, Peniel E. Joseph upends these misconceptions and reveals a nuanced portrait of two men who, despite markedly different backgrounds, inspired and pushed each other throughout their adult lives. This is a strikingly revisionist biography, not only of Malcolm and Martin, but also of the movement and era they came to define.

©2020 Peniel E. Joseph (P)2020 Basic Books

Excellent!

Peniel Joseph gives an excellent overview of the lives, philosophies and civil rights careers of MLK, Jr. and Malcolm X. It was fascinating to learn about them chronologically and to see how they developed in comparison along a timeline. I was also introduced to James Baldwin as a fellow activist, opening my eyes to yet another interesting and important African American I never learned about in school.

Anticipating MLK X on D+

Read this book after hearing the author on a podcast. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and the compare and contrast of the two leaders who became The Movement’s pillars. The examination of the end of MLK’s life and his leaning into a more radical and revolutionary vision was expertly detailed.

Voice actor was perfect. It is hard to copy the voices of these leaders but he does a fine job of covering tone and delivery.

Fantastic

Loved the Story,
Loved the Theme,
Loved the Narration, especially when he tries to do impersonations, he does his best.
Loved how he made LBJ sound like a Southern Belle lol
First chapter repeats the themes over and over and over, and more tells instead of shows, but when it hits the 2nd chapter it all starts to come together.
It clears up alot of myths about the 60s Civil Rights era and it makes more sense seeing the growth of MLK and Brother Malcolm relative to each other compared to current education teaching in a vacuum as polar opposites

Sequence of Ah-ha moments

Two sides of the same coin. Definitely worth a listen. I had to replay a few " pages " becaus the info got monotous, but i reminded myself that it is histort being relayed. Most replays were because I caught an interesting fact late. The book makes you wonder why they were really killed and what they would be doing now. Zeno's recap kept me on my toes. At times the voices made me chuckle, but it also added some entertainment and light to an extremely sad story. The Epilogue was ON POINT!! Give it a listen. Gonna look for more of Zeno's readings

Outstanding look into two amazing Black men!

The extensive research into the totality of both men’s lives as well as their evolution as activists is amazing. If you enjoy biographical research and want to dive in deep to both El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this book allows you to do so.

LHolland

I absolutely loved the book. Great read and worth every second invested in listening to the story of two great leaders.

In-depth evaluation of the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

A very informative and readable narrative of the civil rights revolution of the 1950s and 60s, with how both The ideas and strategies of Dr. King and Malcolm X evolved. They had some sharp differences and tactics. The goal of each was Full citizenship for blacks in our country and in the world. Both of them had triumphs and disappointments, but each played a large part in Advences in race relations and helping fulfill Our founding documents promise of equal treatment of everyone.

The Bold and the Best.

This book shows how all hands are needed in the struggle and you cannot take things for granted.

Learn And Change

Feeling I knew about these men, I didn't expect I to learn. I was wrong, a knew far too little about either!
This audio book opened my eyes, I learned and will be the change I want to see.

An excellent read

This book gives greater insight to the men who were the foundation of the Civil rights movement and the evolution of their views.