The Martin Luther King, Jr., Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Clayborn Carson (Author), Tenisha H. Armstrong (Author), Susan A. Carson (Author), Erin K. Cook (Author), Susan Englander (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313294402 | ISBN-13: 978-0313294402 | Publication Date: January 30, 2008

As editor of The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Clayborne Carson, with the assistance of his staff at Stanford's Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, had access to a variety of documents relating to all aspects of Dr. King's life and career. The encyclopedia provides readers with over 280 entries that offer fresh and engaging insights into Dr. King and the civil rights movement. From their unique familiarity with these materials, they have compiled an encyclopedia offering a fresh and exciting look at the work of Dr. King and the course of the civil rights movement.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—These 285 alphabetically arranged entries provide information about people, legal actions, laws, political and civil rights groups, and events that are related to King's life and work. The book opens with an introduction to and chronology of the leader's life, and continues with pieces that range from a few paragraphs to three pages in length, some of which are accompanied by average-quality black-and-white photos. These are not full treatments, but instead focus on how each topic relates to King. Each entry includes source notes, and most of the information is drawn from primary sources, most notably materials from the Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. and other archived collections as well as period newspapers and books. The cross-referenced, objective text is generally well written, and is followed by an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"There are many biographical works about the African American experience and this volume would be a good contribution to this area of research."

-

ARBA Online

"As editors of his personal papers on staff at the King Research and Education institute, Clayborne Carson and his colleagues have studied King's life at a level of detail matched by few others. Their guide begins with an overview of King's career and a brief chronology of his life. The 285 entries of the encyclopedia describe his relationships with family members, teachers, clerical colleaguues, civil rights activists, personal associates, politicians, labor leaders, and critics. . . . this excellent guide is highly recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries."

-

Lawrence Looks at Books

"[O]ffers scholars, students, and interested non-specialists more than 280 alphabetical entries on his life and the civil rights movement in general."

-

Library Media Connection

"These 285 alphabetically arranged entries provide information about people, legal actions, laws, political and civil rights groups, and events that are related to King's life and work. . . . The cross-referenced, objective text is generally well written, and is followed by an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index."

-

School Library Journal

"[T]he staff that is editing King's papers has produced an encyclopedia to guide students and scholars through all aspects of his life and work. . . . helpful features include a brief introduction to King's career, a detailed chronology of his life, an extensive bibliography, and a topical index. Each entry incorporates abundant cross-references and a guide to source material. This well-edited work will be a valuable aid to anyone seeking an in-depth understanding of King's life."

-

MultiCultural Review

"This volume, which demonstrates the interconnected nature of King's associations, ideas, and activities, provides a collection that will stimulate reader's interest while providing opportunities for further inquiry. The authors, led by Clayborne Carson, head of the Martin Luther King Papers Project, draw heavily on primary source docutments related to King and the movement he inspired. Some of the categories for inclusion in this volume include King's theological and political sources of influence, other African-American leaders, members of King's family, as well as celebrities who supported protest campaigns and political allies and opponents. . . . The narrative introduction includes a general overview of King's life, follwoed by a chronology of the most significant events in King's civil rights career. A helpful topical index, an extensive bibliography and general index conclude the volume. Highly recommended for high school, university and public libraries."

-

Doug's Student Reference Room

"This comprehensive alphabetical encyclopedia provides information on the people, places, organizations, and events that played a part in his life and times. Every article is cross-referenced, with entries explored in more depth eleswhere printed in bold type. For the researcher who requires more information or original or primary sources, source notes are included for each entry as well. There is also a related topics table, a sort of study guide, leading the researcher directly to such subjects as court cases and intellectual influences. This volume would be an excellent addition to reference collections on the civil rights movement or African-American history. Index. Recommended."

-

Library Media Connection

"Given the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. in shaping modern America, it is surprising that there has not been a reference work devoted to his life and work. This single-volume encyclopedia helps fill that gap. The 285 essays chronicle Martin Luther King Jr.'s relationships with family members, civil rights activists, politicians, and opponents. Also receiving attention are landmark speeches, legal decisions, events, and ideas that influenced the civil rights era. As might be expected, many entries cover familiar people and events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Ralph Abernathy. Wisely, the authors do not seek to fully explore every aspect of these larger topics, but focus on how they relate to King. Clayborne Carson and his colleagues are uniquely qualified to make these connections. . . . For libraries seeking the relative stability of print, this inexpensive volume is a welcome addition to reference collections on African American history and civil rights movement."

-

Reference & User Services Quarterly

"This interesting reference work consists of 285 entries. . . Reading these well-written essays will remind readers of how tumultuous and momentous were the years that marked the public life of Martin Luther King, Jr. . . . This book is recommended for academic and large public libraries, along with any collection having a strong interest in the Civil Rights Movement."

-

Catholic Library World

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (January 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313294402
• ISBN-13: 978-0313294402
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,267,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.