They Had a Dream: The Civil Rights Struggle from Frederick Douglass...Malcolm X (Epoch Biography) [Paperback]

Jules Archer (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Epoch Biography

In four riveting biographies, award-winning historian Jules Archer presents portraits of courage and determination and an encapsulated history of the civil rights struggle in the United States. Frederick Douglass, born a slave, fought for his own and his people's freedom from slavery. Marcus Garvey, who led the Back to Africa movement, promoted black nationalism and black pride. Martin Luther King Jr. organized millions of people and preached nonviolent civil disobedience to win equality through integration. Malcolm X, raised on the streets and in prison, sought equal rights through confrontation and racial separation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to PW, dialogue and excerpts from speeches and writings are woven into thorough accounts of the private lives of four pivotal civil rights leaders for a "balanced and substantive" look at their lives and contributions. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Black history in America began in 1619 with the importation of 20 Africans as bound servants. It has continued through the centuries, and is vividly reflected here in the lives of the four men of the title. Even though all were remarkable individuals, Archer takes into account their human frailties and depicts them as believable figures. A first and final chapter fill in the eras of American black history not covered in the biographies. The injustice inflicted on people of African descent in America is described in some biting words throughout the text. Some controversial statements are undocumented and may leave readers skeptical or misinformed. For example, Abraham Lincoln is depicted as a racist; George Bush is repeatedly accused of running a racist campaign in 1988. While Archer writes in a fluent, sophisticated, but readable style, this flaw will limit the book's use as a resource for reports.
Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140349545
• ISBN-13: 978-0140349542
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Malcolm X

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener, March 1, 2010

By 

Halewis "halewis" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: They Had a Dream (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Epoch Biographies) (School & Library Binding)

This book has given me a broader look into the life and times of blacks in America. It has encouraged me to get a more indepth perspective of our contribution to this country and why it is more-often-than-not completely ignored.