Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Series in History & Culture) [Paperback]

David Howard-Pitney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0312395051 | ISBN-13: 978-0312395056 | Edition: First Edition

The civil rights movement’s most prominent leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) and Malcolm X (1925–1965), represent two wings of the revolt against racism: nonviolent resistance and revolution "by any means necessary." This volume presents the two leaders’ relationship to the civil rights movement beyond a simplified dualism. A rich selection of speeches, essays, and excerpts from Malcolm X’s autobiography and King’s sermons shows the breadth and range of each man’s philosophy, demonstrating their differences, similarities, and evolution over time. Organized into six topical groups, the documents allow students to compare the leaders’ views on subjects including integration, the American dream, means of struggle, and opposing racial philosophies. An interpretive introductory essay, chronology, selected bibliography, document headnotes, and questions for consideration provide further pedagogical support.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DAVID HOWARD-PITNEY has taught American history and American studies at San Jose State University and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He is now professor and history department chair of De Anza College. He worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at Stanford University in 1986 and from 2000 to 2002 was a commissioned scholar for the Public Influences of African American Churches Project of the Leadership Center at Morehouse College. A specialist on American civil religion and African-American leaders' thought and rhetoric, Howard-Pitney's publications include The African-American Jeremiad: Appeals for Justice in America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; First Edition edition (February 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312395051
• ISBN-13: 978-0312395056
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Malcolm and Martin, March 9, 2007

By 

S. Stevenson (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Series in History & Culture) (Paperback)

This book presents the differences between arguably the two most famous civil rights activists of the fifties and sixties, as well as showing the convergence between their ideas and ideals toward the end of thier respective lives. It is readable, succinct and thorough. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who will be teaching this period in history to middle or high school students.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book,. fast read, well written, December 26, 2011

By 

M. Eric Rathgeber (long beach, california USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Series in History & Culture) (Paperback)

This book really gave me a good understanding of the core differences between X and King, I did not know 97% of what I read prior, and it was delivered in a way that made it an easy and highly enjoyable read! I see now how different they were and yet like velvet on a steel fist one served the other well. spoiler alert:... sad endings.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read, April 10, 2010

By 

Joseph Nicolay (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Series in History & Culture) (Paperback)

The authors of this text did an excellent job in comparing and contrasting Dr. King and Malcolm X. The text used many letters from both leaders, and showed how their ideals evolved throughout their lives.