April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America [Hardcover]

Michael Eric Dyson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2008

On April 4, 1968, at 6:01 PM, while he was standing on a balcony at a Memphis hotel, Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and fatally wounded. Only hours earlier King—the prophet for racial and economic justice in America—ended his final speech with the words, “I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.”

Acclaimed public intellectual and best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson uses the fortieth anniversary of King’s assassination as the occasion for a provocative and fresh examination of how King fought, and faced, his own death, and we should use his death and legacy. Dyson also uses this landmark anniversary as the starting point for a comprehensive reevaluation of the fate of Black America over the four decades that followed King’s death. Dyson ambitiously investigates the ways in which African-Americans have in fact made it to the Promised Land of which King spoke, while shining a bright light on the ways in which the nation has faltered in the quest for racial justice. He also probes the virtues and flaws of charismatic black leadership that has followed in King’s wake, from Jesse Jackson to Barack Obama.

Always engaging and inspiring, April 4, 1968 celebrates the prophetic leadership of Dr. King, and challenges America to renew its commitment to his deeply moral vision.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Eric Dyson, named by Ebony as one of the hundred most influential black Americans, is the author of sixteen books, including Holler if You Hear Me, Is Bill Cosby Right? and I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King Jr. He is currently University Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University. He lives in Washington, D.C.

From AudioFile

With deep, resonant projection that at times sounds eerily like Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, own voice, Dyson narrates his deep exploration into the most significant aspects of King's legacy since his assassination on April 4, 1968. Paying particular attention to how politicians and cultural leaders have utilized King and his message, Dyson contrasts the real King with the misappropriated icon. This approach allows listeners to see the height of King's impact at the time of his death and the symbol of racial equality he has embodied since. Even when not echoing King's cadence and intonation, Dyson delivers a strong narrative performance that illuminates his belief in King's dream. L.E. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Basic Civitas Books; First Edition edition (March 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465002129
• ISBN-13: 978-0465002122
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > King, Martin Luther

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Focus on King's Death April 6, 2008

By Christyscmh

Format:Hardcover

Michael Eric Dyson is best-known for his words. An incredibly well-spoken man, this book presents a delicious word smorgasbord that - and even though I say this as an English major, unfortunately, even had me running for a dictionary several times. And head's up for any of you who also cringe at grammatical error - there are a few typo's in the book.

In any case, Dyson offers an interesting take on Martin Luther King's death and the impact that it had on America, both its positive and negative elements. Dyson comments on King's character, powerful oratory, a brief family history as well as the numerous causes he stood behind. He event hints at a possible government conspiracy as the cause of King's death stating several incidents where the president of the time refused to protect him or even warn King of impending danger at death threats being called in for him. In addition, Dyson concentrates on statistics - both from the late 60's when King was assassinated as well as today - to represent the changes that America has produced since King's death.

I was blown away at the chapter on Jesse Jackson, however, though confused on Dyson's standpoint in regards to it. Dyson informs the reader that directly following King's murder, he instructed others not to speak to the media. After telling all of them that he wasn't feeling well, Abernathy (one of King's right-hand men) spotted Jackson speaking with the media himself, in his desperate attempt to fill King's shoes, claiming that he was the very last person that King ever spoke to - a blatant lie, as Abernathy knew that King had spoken to another associate before taking his last breath. Dyson also draws attention to the blood on Jackson's shirt and that he was never on the balcony during the actual shooting, but rather directly after. Dyson suggests Jackson having dipped his hands in King's blood and wiping them on his shirt in a sort of biblical fashion as Christian's are to drink Christ's blood during communion in honor and remembrance. I was intrigued with all of this new information - and curious as to the authors thoughts, but he remains fluctuant on the subject and I felt ultimately unsatisfied with the chapter.

In keeping with the times, not only does Dyson reference Jackson, King's initial predecessor, he also has a chapter dedicated to Barack Obama, of whom he calls the "Black Kennedy." Not only does he mention the great feat the country has reached in having a black man for nominee, but he also focuses on the changes that Obama is promoting for his current political campaign and how he shares many of King's visions.

Finally, Dyson finishes up with an incredibly odd mock-interview with himself posing as Martin Luther King and answering questions regarding America today. While we, as a people, can certainly wonder what King would think of both our progress and backsliding over the years since he was alive, I have a hard time with thinking this "interview" to be anything but strange.

With all of the additional information and people who appear in this book, there were several times I had to remind myself that the focus of this book was on the death of Martin Luther King and the changes that it brought about. The reader can become easily lost in the extra's as Dyson ignites several tangents, straying from the main point of the book.

In retrospect, kind of scattered layout, but a pretty interesting read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Moments that shine and others that fail miserably May 12, 2009

By Dan

Format:Hardcover

I was eager to read Mr. Dyson's book with the hope to gain further insight into Dr King's legacy and last days. In the opening chapter, a riveting scene is drawn of Dyson's father as the news of Dr King's death came over the airwaves. One can feel the air being sucked from their lungs as if being caught off guard with a punch. Mr. Dyson's prose puts you there in the moment.

That was perhaps the high point of his writing. I found his use of of the term "automortology" to be overly repetitive and found myself at times saying out loud, "I get it". This was annopying at times, but easy to overlook. Although he did offer much insight into King's mindset at the end of his days, it was his treatment of the successors that left me feeling cheated.

How he could make the arguments for Jesse Jackson by making unfounded accusations against Hosea Williams and Dr Abernathy made me sick. As a resident of Atlanta, I had the privilege of seeing Uncle Hosie ,a giant in the movement for civil rights, live out his final days. Always serving, always giving, always fighting for those without a voice. Hosea Williams was an honorable man and the accusation that his rage at Jackson's lying was fueled by jealousy is disgusting. His rage was at the lies being told by Jackson moments after his leader and friend had been murdered.

Let's compare the integrity of Hosea Williams to that of Jesse Jackson. Hosea Williams followed Dr King's lead and lived a life that fought for the underserved regardless of his personal interest. Jesse Jackson uses every opportunity for personal enrichment. The use of donations to his Rainbow Coalition to fund hush money for his mistress and his child born to her is well documented.

Which one has integrity? If Mr. Dyson's book been written on April 5, 1968 I would give him the benefit of not knowing what we know now about the lives of the two men. Unfortunately it wasn't so he should know better.

Although, these chapters of the book made me angry I still encourage you to read it because the good out weighs the bad. The anecdote about King's last meal alone is worth the price of the book.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on the Legacy of 4/4/68 April 25, 2008

By Brenan Nierman

Format:Hardcover

I remember, as a child, visiting my great-aunt and uncle in their mansion (they were millionaires) and seeing a magaizine whose cover depicted a watercolor of a burning city. Asking what was the reason for this, I was told that people had rioted after the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fifteen years after this, I remember asking my great-aunt why there were no blacks who were members of her country club. "They can't afford it, honey," was her well-meaning but incredibly myopic response.

It is hard enough as a white person to really, genuinely, empathize with the experience of African Americans. We can imagine, yes; but the act of imagining is itself a kind of comfortable exercise that can lead us to conclude that we "understand."

In truth, we don't. And maybe we never will. Maybe all we can do is just shut up once in a while and listen. This book can help.

In the room that looks out onto the balcony where Dr. King was murdered, my favorite gospel hymn plays softly; it was Dr. King's last request that the musician for the April 4th's evening service play "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." The haunting pathos and sense of security that this hymn gives is enough to make this atheist hope that, somehow, Dr. King died knowing that his death would be the final, crowning act of this great American story.

If we look at life and history through the prism of King's life, and the pasing of years to the present day, we gain a greater appreciation of just what is at stake in American life today. Moreover, we sense the tremendous barriers that still remain, despite all the platitudinous protestations of the neo-conservatives and right wingers to the contrary.

The value of a book like this is it makes us stop and listen. Another reviewer has gently attacked the artifice of an interview with Dr. King from today's perspective; frankly I think that, after studying King as much as he has, Mr. Dyson has every right to channel a conversation with the man himself. but I do not think that anyone can argue with Dr. King's last, albeit imaginary, statement.

I love Oprah too.