Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. [Paperback]

Stephen B. Oates (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 1994

Winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Award and the Christopher Award, this brilliant examination of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. portrays a very real man and his dream that shaped America's history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen B. Oates is the author of sixteen books, including The Approaching Fury; With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln and Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the latter two books winning, respectively, the Christopher Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Award. They have been translated into several languages.

Oates was a consultant and "talking head" in Ken Burns's Civil War series on PBS, and is a recipient of the Nevins-Freeman Award of the Chicago Civil War Round Table for lifetime achievement in the field of Civil War studies. A teacher at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he is now writing the concluding book of the Voices of Storm trilogy, about the years of Reconstruction, 1865-1877.

From The Washington Post

"The thrilling story is not only full of drama, but...of the real King, his bravery, his triumph, his pain and his doubts."

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (January 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006092473X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060924737
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > King, Martin Luther

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful balanced biography, May 16, 2004

By 

therosen "therosen" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Paperback)

Stephen Oates writes a masterful biography of one of the pivotal figures of the twentieth century. Today we view Martin Luther King Jr. as a saint, and a model of what the human spirit can achieve. In his day, he was viewed by many in the South with fear, hatred and loathing.

It is easy to view this situation in hindsight, and assume that everyone was just ignorant. Oates writes of the complex history, the battles within and outside "the movement" and how divided the nation was at the time. Oates also does not shirk away from many of Martin Luther King's personal weaknesses. In this sense, he humanizes the great leader, instead of canonizes him.

In the end, I am left with three conclusions:
1 - Martin Luther King Jr. indeed found a way to overcome hatred with love, and in doing so helped America avoid a race war.
2 - The message of civil rights was both religeous and personal. Despite today's views of the right being the party of religeon, in his day the southern liberal movement was galvanized in the church.
3 - Despite this, he was a flawed individual. His human weakness does not diminish his accomplishment.

The book is not light reading. Read it. Let it soak in. And comprehend.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enlightening, portrays MLK, Jr. as I never knew him, August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Paperback)

I didn't know much about Martin Luther King, Jr. before I found this book in a second hand store and picked it up just because it looked interesting. I am glad I did. I finished this book respecting MLK and his message more than I ever thought possible. It amazes me that MLK so accurately pegged the United States attitudes about racism, social injustice and the Vietnam War in the heat of the moment--a true visionary. It is a shame that whenever somebody in this world tries to change things for the better somebody feels the need to kill them. Stephen Oates' portrayal is honest and forthright. An admirable performance. I highly recommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview, February 24, 2006

By 

David Cary (Richardson, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Paperback)

For many of us, the Civil Rights era happened when we were too young to understand. This is a good overview of the man and his times. Many people who were just names before, became people to me.

Although, I believe King made some serious mistakes, I understand for the first time why he should have a national holiday. I had no idea he was such an impressive person. Keep in mind, this book was written by a serious historian; not just someone who wished to canonize King.