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King: A Life Hardcover – May 16, 2023

4.8 out of 5 stars 1,424 ratings

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WINNER OF THE 2024 PULITZER PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY

A finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award | Named one of the ten best books of 2023 by The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Time

A New York Times bestseller and notable book of 2023 | One of Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2023

One of The New Yorker’s essential reads of 2023 | A Christian Science Monitor best book of the year | One of Air Mail’s twelve best books of 2023

A Washington Post and national indie bestseller | One of Publishers Weekly’s best nonfiction books of 2023 | One of Smithsonian magazine’s ten best books of 2023

“Supple, penetrating, heartstring-pulling and compulsively readable . . . Eig’s book is worthy of its subject.” ―Dwight Garner,
The New York Times (Editors’ Choice)

“[King is] infused with the narrative energy of a thriller . . . The most compelling account of King’s life in a generation.” ―Mark Whitaker, The Washington Post

“No book could be more timely than Jonathan Eig’s sweeping and majestic new
King . . . Eig has created 2023′s most vital tome.” ―Will Bunch, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Hailed by
The New York Times as “the new definitive biography,” King mixes revelatory new research with accessible storytelling to offer an MLK for our times.

Vividly written and exhaustively researched, Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.―and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, the bestselling biographer gives us an intimate view of the courageous and often emotionally troubled human being who demanded peaceful protest for his movement but was rarely at peace with himself. He casts fresh light on the King family’s origins as well as MLK’s complex relationships with his wife, father, and fellow activists. King reveals a minister wrestling with his own human frailties and dark moods, a citizen hunted by his own government, and a man determined to fight for justice even if it proved to be a fight to the death. As he follows MLK from the classroom to the pulpit to the streets of Birmingham, Selma, and Memphis, Eig dramatically re-creates the journey of a man who recast American race relations and became our only modern-day founding father―as well as the nation’s most mourned martyr.

In this landmark biography, Eig gives us an MLK for our times: a deep thinker, a brilliant strategist, and a committed radical who led one of history’s greatest movements, and whose demands for racial and economic justice remain as urgent today as they were in his lifetime.

Includes 8 pages of black-and-white photographs

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From the Publisher

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Praise for King: A Life by Jonathan Eig

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Supple, penetrating, heartstring-pulling and compulsively readable . . . The first comprehensive biography of King in three decades . . . and it supplants David J. Garrow’s 1986 biography Bearing the Cross as the definitive life of King, as Garrow himself deposed recently . . . [Eig’s is] a clean, clear, journalistic voice, one that employs facts the way Saul Bellow said they should be employed, each a wire that sends a current . . . Eig’s book is worthy of its subject.” ―Dwight Garner, The New York Times (Book Review Editors' Choice)

"
King: A Life might be described as a deeply reported psychobiography [. . .] infused with the narrative energy of a thriller . . . Eig does a particularly nuanced job of conjuring up the mind-set of Coretta Scott King in the years before she emerged as a forceful activist in her own right . . . The most compelling account of King’s life in a generation.” ―Mark Whitaker, The Washington Post

"[Eig] is an indefatigable researcher, and
King is based on a vast array of material, old and new . . . Eig offers affecting accounts of the Montgomery bus boycott, which made King a national figure; the confrontation in the streets of Birmingham between young Black demonstrators and ‘Bull’ Connor’s dogs and fire hoses; and the march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery . . . [His] style is journalistic, with brief paragraphs driving the narrative forward . . . Eig devotes more attention to Coretta Scott King than previous biographers, emphasising that she was an anti-racist radical in her own right." ―Eric Foner, London Review of Books

"No book could be more timely than Jonathan Eig’s sweeping and majestic new
King . . . The result is not mythology but a portrait of a man who was all too human―making his remarkable moral choices and struggles relatable to his fellow mortals. In repositioning King as one of America’s true Founding Fathers, Eig has created 2023′s most vital tome." ―Will Bunch, The Philadelphia Inquirer

"A sober and intimate portrait of King’s short life . . . Eig captures the ferocity of the forces that opposed King . . . He also captures King’s sense of theatre, his enormously canny ability to stage confrontations that heightened the contrast between the civil-rights movement and the people who wanted to stop it."
―Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker

"Outstanding . . . [Eig] shows who King really was behind the famous speeches and celebrity . . . Eig offers an intimate, multidimensional biography . . . Most importantly, Eig weaves Coretta Scott King’s impressions of her famous husband throughout the book in ways that free her from the traditional housewife image depicted in
Time magazine portraits . . . King: A Life forces readers to view King as more than a martyr, icon, or saint ― to see him for who he was, instead of who people thought he was, or wanted him to be." ―Ousmane Power-Greene, The Boston Globe

"Jonathan Eig’s magnificent new biography is an overdue attempt to grapple with King in all his complexity. His book will inevitably draw comparisons with
America in the King Years . . . [King: A Life] is a more traditional biography, and the book benefits from its narrower focus. It gives the reader more insight into the multifaceted man himself. . . . Eig makes [King's] courage and moral vision seem all the more exceptional for having come from a man with ordinary flaws." The Economist

"Eig’s monumental work, the first major biography of Martin Luther King Jr. in decades, challenges the image of him as a peaceful advocate of incremental change. There’s plenty of new detail, including from recently declassified F.B.I. files, allowing King to emerge as a complex, humane figure."
―J. Howard Rosier, The New York Times

"Eig brilliantly portrays the many dimensions of the civil rights leader . . . Eig’s balanced treatment of King’s manifest greatness and his human flaws, including his sexual infidelity, turns an icon back into a man and produces a biography that will be very difficult to surpass."
―Jessica T. Mathews, Foreign Affairs

"Eig is particularly effective at gently reminding readers that there are striking parallels between the way racial justice was framed in the 1950s and ’60s and the way it is framed in the 2010s and ’20s . . . Jonathan Eig has written a biography that points us to King at his best, to King convinced that words bear truth, that narrative moves us toward goodness, and that memory, well preserved, carries beauty that motivates and inspires."
―Vincent Lloyd, Commonweal

"Eig has used his sharp journalistic eye to spin a powerful story of King and the movements in which he participated . . . [
King] stirs a whirlwind of exhilarating feelings . . . Essential . . . A beautiful book that requires every reader to grapple with both the contradictions and the glory of one of our leading historical protagonists for peace, freedom, economic justice, and equality." ―Michael K. Honey, Jacobin

"Drawing on recently released FBI files, telephone recordings and interviews for this first full-scale biography in decades, Eig acknowledges King's frailties and failures, as well as his radical critique of economic inequality and the war in Vietnam . . . Eig enriches [the] familiar narrative of King's activism with moving stories."
―Glenn C. Altschuler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"
King: A Life, is more than up to the challenge. It will take its place among the foremost of the many treatments of King . . . A moving, and in places beautiful, account of King’s life." ―Richard Lischer, America

"In this biography, his sixth book, Eig writes like an Olympic diver who jackknifes off the high board, slicing the water without a ripple. He performs with sheer artistry, like Picasso paints and Astaire dances."
―Kitty Kelley, Washington Independent Review of Books

“Definitive . . . Monumental . . . An extraordinary achievement and an essential life of the iconic warrior for social justice.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[A] sweeping biography. Eig gives a rousing recap of King’s triumphs as a civil rights leader . . . [A] complex, nuanced portrait . . . Eig’s evocative prose ably conveys his bravery, charisma, and spell-binding oratory . . . An enthralling reappraisal that confirms King’s relevance to today’s debates over racial justice."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The most comprehensive MLK biography to date . . . Eig refuses to ‘defang’ King, instead pushing Americans to recognize the radical nature of his demands for justice and his resistance to not only racism but militarism and capitalism.”
Booklist (starred review)

"Mining a trove of materials―many only recently available―augmented with voluminous archival work and hundreds of interviews for personal insights . . . [Eig] recovers the man, foibles and all, from the too often hollowed-out, sainted symbol that competing ideologies have sanitized for national observance . . . Engrossing . . . A must for readers interested in moving beyond clichéd catchphrases to see a more complete and complex King."
Library Journal (starred review)

"Groundbreaking . . .
King is such a nuanced, detailed biography, it’s like having Martin Luther King sitting in your living room." ―Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times

"Jonathan Eig's book comes at a crucial time for our country. With the gains we've made for civil rights and workers’ rights under constant threat, Eig reminds us that, in Dr. King’s own words, ‘progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability.’"
―Sherrod Brown, United States senator from Ohio and author of Desk 88

"The first major biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in over a generation,
King is a major achievement. With eloquence, compassion, and grace, Jonathan Eig offers a stirringly contemporary and complex portrait of a fully human―and humane―King, whose contradictions, frailties, and shortcomings worked in tandem with his brilliance, resilience, and genius to fundamentally transform American democracy and the world. King brilliantly recovers the defiantly courageous, radically democratic, and revolutionary anti-racist, anti-poverty, and anti-war activist who inspired as much hate and revulsion as he did love and compassion. A resounding triumph." ―Peniel E. Joseph, professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of The Sword and the Shield

"Greatness and opacity more often than not seem to go hand in hand: the most important among us seem out of reach, inscrutable, indifferent to our entreaties for human detail beyond the sensational or salacious. But here, Eig has pulled off a kind of miracle. Here is the King we know, think we know and ought to know. Here is the leader, the preacher, the orator, the husband, the father, the martyr, the human being―not with melodramatic halo in place, but in all his heroic, tragic Glory. Hallelujah!"
―Ken Burns

“Jonathan Eig's book is the most comprehensive and original King biography to appear in over 35 years. Digitization and the web have made a slew of new documentary resources available, and Eig has mined them superbly. He is thus able to paint the first 25 years of King's life more richly than ever before, and to offer fuller portraits of three of the most important people in King's adult life: his wife Coretta and his closest male and female companions, Ralph Abernathy and Dorothy Cotton. The result is a great leap forward in our biographical understanding.”
David J. Garrow, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama

"Finally, a biography of King that takes seriously Coretta Scott King's political, intellectual and personal contributions."
Jeanne Theoharis, author of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks

“With the detective mind of an historian, the lyrical precision of a poet, and the techniques of a master storyteller, Jonathan Eig makes Martin Luther King, Jr. come alive as a complex personality. He retrieves King’s extraordinary gifts, incurable optimism, and amazing heroism as a leader while not ignoring his frailties, doubts, and vulnerabilities. This book is a perceptive and necessary contribution to the biography genre in King studies.”
Lewis V. Baldwin, author of The Arc of Truth: The Thinking of Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Jonathan Eig’s
King is an exemplary masterclass in biography: Eig's knowledge of the subject matter is scholarly, his discovery of new and untapped historical sources is relentless, and his prose is gripping. This is a captivating story of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: a child scarred by pervasive racism, a man haunted by racist violence and death threats, a minister hunted by his own federal government, a human being afflicted by all-too-common human frailties, and a citizen who somehow managed to have an uncommon Christian faith and the courage to speak truth to power. Eig’s King is not just a welcomed contribution to MLK biography, but also a call to confront our own humanity, and a summons to bear witness against the societal evils that plagued King’s time and persist in our own." ―Dr. Lerone A. Martin, Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University

"Jonathan Eig’s biography of Martin Luther King Jr. is destined to be a classic. Eig elegantly depicts King’s life with a sensitivity and intimacy making him more than a static icon. In this biography filled with exhaustive interviews and wonderfully written vignettes, King is placed in the context of community, family, and friends, showing his powerful strengths and his all too human flaws. Most importantly, Eig depicts King’s single-minded commitment to radically transforming the United States from an unjust republic based on a hierarchy of race and wealth to one that encompasses the dreams of all God’s children. I hope it is read by everyone."
―Randal Maurice Jelks, author of Letters to Martin: Meditations on Democracy in Black America

"
King is a deeply absorbing, powerful lens for examining the Civil Rights Movement. Jonathan Eig’s compelling look back reveals a complex leader, driven by his faith and an unflinching determination to stamp out racial injustice, yet dogged by personal conflicts and relentless secret government efforts to discredit him." ―Karen Gray Houston, author of Daughter of the Boycott: Carrying on a Montgomery Family’s Civil Rights Legacy

About the Author

Jonathan Eig is a former senior writer for The Wall Street Journal. He is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including Ali: A Life, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, and Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season. Ken Burns calls him "a master storyteller," and Eig's books have been listed among the best of the year by The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Sports Illustrated, and Slate. He lives in Chicago with his wife and children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 16, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374279292
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374279295
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 2.06 x 9.56 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #42,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 1,424 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan Eig
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Jonathan Eig is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of six books, including four New York Times best sellers. His most recent book is King: A Life, which the Times called a "the definitive biography" of Martin Luther King Jr. and a book "worthy of its subject." King: A Life won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for biography. Eig also wrote "Ali: A Life," which has been hailed as one of the best sports biographies of all time. Ali: A Life, won a 2018 PEN America Literary Award. Eig served as a senior consulting producer for the PBS series Muhammad Ali. His first book, Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, won the Casey Award. His books have been listed among the best of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. He lives in Chicago with his wife and children.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
1,424 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this biography highly readable and compelling, praising its meticulously researched details and deep understanding of King's spiritual journey. The book is well-written, passionate, and educational, making it essential reading for students of history. Customers appreciate its authenticity, with one noting it provides an unbiased look at the totality of King's life.

46 customers mention "Readability"46 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and compelling as a novel, with one customer noting it's the best they read in 2023.

"Great read, I leaned much" Read more

"...Jonathan Eig’s presentation of evidence is meticulous and compelling...." Read more

"Great Human, Great Read..." Read more

"Excellent read!..." Read more

44 customers mention "Depth"42 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the biography, praising its meticulous research and wealth of historical details, providing great insight into Dr. King's life.

"The biographical work impresses me. Jonathan Eig is talented. Thorough. Seemingly balanced. Descriptive in purpose (vs persuasive)...." Read more

"King: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a comprehensive and meticulously researched biography delving into the life and achievements of Martin Luther King..." Read more

"...But Eig’s masterful biography proved just how much more there was to learn. That said, the book took a while to draw me in...." Read more

"...could go on and on, but the bottom line is that King is among the best biographies I’ve read in a long time, or maybe ever, and if you’re at all..." Read more

22 customers mention "Insight"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, particularly appreciating its deep understanding of Martin Luther King Jr.'s spiritual journey.

"...So needed, so rich and powerful and truthful and disturbing and inspiring and real. Of course I already knew about MLK...." Read more

"...portrayal of King as a man of remarkable moral fortitude and political acumen...." Read more

"...What makes King: A Life so effective is not just the meticulous research (which is top-notch), but the emotional honesty...." Read more

"...biography of Martin Luther King Jr. It is magisterial and a force to be reckoned with, much like the book’s subject...." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with several noting it is extremely well written by the author, and one customer highlighting how the writing style helps move the lengthy biography along.

"Voluminous (over 500 pages) but so engaging and well written that I haven't been able to put it down...." Read more

"This is a well-written book; I highly recommend it for a fresh perspective on Dr. Martin Luther King's life...." Read more

"Well written and completely engaging gives readers an opportunity to get to know the man and his terrible burden. A true American hero." Read more

"...with excellent detail. The book is extremely well written and very readable...." Read more

16 customers mention "Pacing"14 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it passionate, with one customer describing it as deeply moving and another noting its disturbing elements.

"...a multifaceted and intricate portrayal of King as a man of remarkable moral fortitude and political acumen...." Read more

"...not just the meticulous research (which is top-notch), but the emotional honesty...." Read more

"...So needed, so rich and powerful and truthful and disturbing and inspiring and real. Of course I already knew about MLK...." Read more

"...He had worries, dealt with depression, fought passionately for his beliefs and made a difference in this world...." Read more

13 customers mention "Storytelling"12 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, describing it as an enthralling and honest account of King's life, with one customer noting how it brings history to life through engaging narration.

"What an amazing discretion of king’s life told in a way that you would never imagine. Please take time to read the book." Read more

"A fantastic biographical narrative of King! The narrator did also great job." Read more

"...The resulting masterpiece features short chapters that aid the reader in following the plot and in understanding the complexities of white racism..." Read more

"...He does a fantastic job of telling the complete story about the great Dr. King! Warts and all!..." Read more

9 customers mention "Educational value"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book educational and essential reading for students of history, with one customer comparing it to a visual documentary.

"...a wealth of meticulously researched details that will engage scholars and general readers alike...." Read more

"A new biography of Martin Luther King!! So needed, so rich and powerful and truthful and disturbing and inspiring and real...." Read more

"...cannot do justice to this biography of Martin Luther King Jr. It is magisterial and a force to be reckoned with, much like the book’s subject...." Read more

"...This book was absolutely illuminating and frequently surprised me...." Read more

8 customers mention "Authenticity"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, finding it accurate and real, with one customer noting its unbiased look at the totality of King.

"...of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His research was thorough and accurate. This is a must read for all King fans...." Read more

"...So needed, so rich and powerful and truthful and disturbing and inspiring and real. Of course I already knew about MLK...." Read more

"...Jonathan Eig's book is so true and brings alive both the life of MLK and the life of the 60's generation which many of us now alive so shared with..." Read more

"...Validity due to sources and interviews with numerous people that were actually involved." Read more

A Revealing and Inspiring Book
5 out of 5 stars
A Revealing and Inspiring Book
King: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a comprehensive and meticulously researched biography delving into the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., the eminent leader of the American civil rights movement. Eig’s work draws upon extensive sources, including recently declassified FBI files, to construct a multifaceted and intricate portrayal of King as a man of remarkable moral fortitude and political acumen. Nevertheless, the author does not avoid examining King’s imperfections, such as his struggles with infidelity and depression, thereby humanizing the iconic figure. Eig commences the book by illuminating King’s formative years in Atlanta, Georgia, where he grew up in a middle-class family and received an education within the confines of the city’s segregated school system. Despite these adversities, King exhibited exceptional intellectual prowess and innate leadership qualities, rapidly ascending the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ranks, the organization he spearheaded during the apex of the civil rights movement. Throughout the narrative, Eig chronicles King’s seminal moments, encompassing the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, and the Birmingham campaign. Moreover, he delves into lesser-known accounts of King’s clandestine endeavors, such as his arduous efforts to mobilize black voters in the South and his vociferous opposition to the Vietnam War. The author confronts King’s shortcomings head-on, acknowledging his extramarital affairs and battles with depression. But, conversely, Eig contends that these personal failings did not detract from King’s unwavering dedication to the cause of civil rights. Instead, he argues that these flaws endowed King with relatability and enhanced his leadership efficacy. King: A Life is an exemplary biography that proffers a novel and incisive perspective on one of the most influential figures in American history. Jonathan Eig’s opus is indispensable for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the civil rights movement and the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Eig adeptly interweaves King’s personal life and public activism, deftly demonstrating how his faith, family, and friendships contributed to his unwavering commitment to the cause of civil rights. He conscientiously situates King within the broader historical context, elucidating the profound impact of other civil rights luminaries, such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, on King’s trajectory while underscoring his reciprocal influence on the civil rights movement. Despite its considerable length, King: A Life remains captivating throughout, as Eig narrates King’s story with both eloquence and fervor. The book is enriched by a wealth of meticulously researched details that will engage scholars and general readers alike. King: A Life is a masterful biography poised to attain classic status. It is an essential read for those seeking profound insights into the civil rights movement and the lasting imprint of Martin Luther King Jr. Jonathan Eig’s presentation of evidence is meticulous and compelling. Drawing from FBI files, he illuminates the extensive surveillance endured by King under the auspices of the federal government. Moreover, he substantiates King’s struggles with infidelity and depression through direct quotations from King’s papers. Moreover, Eig supplements his research with interviews of King’s acquaintances, kin, and colleagues, providing a comprehensive panorama of King’s life and accomplishments. Jonathan Eig’s comprehensive research and articulate presentation of his findings attest to his expertise in the subject matter. He deftly identifies the pivotal themes in King’s life and work, offering nuanced interpretations of his enduring legacy. Consequently, King: A Life serves as a valuable resource for those desiring a more profound understanding, constituting a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read. There is something more here, of course. Jonathan Eig has written a remembrance and reminder of how democracy in America is ever evolving into a more perfect union. And that our history matters in this evolution. Our nation’s past impacts who we are today and tomorrow. Contemporary America is currently witnessing the emerging presence of radicalized conservative political forces endeavoring to redefine our historical narrative and reconstruct our national identity. The emergence of anti-woke, anti-intellectual, illiberal, autocratic, authoritarian, and anti-democratic movements and trends within American society poses significant threats to the nation's progress and our national security. These radicalized movements impede our ability to reach our utmost human potential and undermine the exceptionalism of the United States and its global leadership. To counteract this trajectory, it is imperative that we retain a collective understanding of our identity as a people and acknowledge the immense strides we have made throughout our history. Drawing inspiration from John Winthrop's vision, we must strive to become the beacon of hope, a metaphorical “shining city upon a hill” that other nations aspire to emulate. A SAINT JULIAN PRESS, Inc. – Book Review © 2023 Written by Publisher/CEO/Executive Editor – Ron Starbuck
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
    King: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a comprehensive and meticulously researched biography delving into the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., the eminent leader of the American civil rights movement. Eig’s work draws upon extensive sources, including recently declassified FBI files, to construct a multifaceted and intricate portrayal of King as a man of remarkable moral fortitude and political acumen. Nevertheless, the author does not avoid examining King’s imperfections, such as his struggles with infidelity and depression, thereby humanizing the iconic figure.

    Eig commences the book by illuminating King’s formative years in Atlanta, Georgia, where he grew up in a middle-class family and received an education within the confines of the city’s segregated school system. Despite these adversities, King exhibited exceptional intellectual prowess and innate leadership qualities, rapidly ascending the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ranks, the organization he spearheaded during the apex of the civil rights movement.

    Throughout the narrative, Eig chronicles King’s seminal moments, encompassing the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, and the Birmingham campaign. Moreover, he delves into lesser-known accounts of King’s clandestine endeavors, such as his arduous efforts to mobilize black voters in the South and his vociferous opposition to the Vietnam War.

    The author confronts King’s shortcomings head-on, acknowledging his extramarital affairs and battles with depression. But, conversely, Eig contends that these personal failings did not detract from King’s unwavering dedication to the cause of civil rights. Instead, he argues that these flaws endowed King with relatability and enhanced his leadership efficacy.

    King: A Life is an exemplary biography that proffers a novel and incisive perspective on one of the most influential figures in American history. Jonathan Eig’s opus is indispensable for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the civil rights movement and the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Eig adeptly interweaves King’s personal life and public activism, deftly demonstrating how his faith, family, and friendships contributed to his unwavering commitment to the cause of civil rights. He conscientiously situates King within the broader historical context, elucidating the profound impact of other civil rights luminaries, such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, on King’s trajectory while underscoring his reciprocal influence on the civil rights movement.

    Despite its considerable length, King: A Life remains captivating throughout, as Eig narrates King’s story with both eloquence and fervor. The book is enriched by a wealth of meticulously researched details that will engage scholars and general readers alike. King: A Life is a masterful biography poised to attain classic status. It is an essential read for those seeking profound insights into the civil rights movement and the lasting imprint of Martin Luther King Jr.

    Jonathan Eig’s presentation of evidence is meticulous and compelling. Drawing from FBI files, he illuminates the extensive surveillance endured by King under the auspices of the federal government. Moreover, he substantiates King’s struggles with infidelity and depression through direct quotations from King’s papers. Moreover, Eig supplements his research with interviews of King’s acquaintances, kin, and colleagues, providing a comprehensive panorama of King’s life and accomplishments.

    Jonathan Eig’s comprehensive research and articulate presentation of his findings attest to his expertise in the subject matter. He deftly identifies the pivotal themes in King’s life and work, offering nuanced interpretations of his enduring legacy. Consequently, King: A Life serves as a valuable resource for those desiring a more profound understanding, constituting a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read.

    There is something more here, of course. Jonathan Eig has written a remembrance and reminder of how democracy in America is ever evolving into a more perfect union. And that our history matters in this evolution. Our nation’s past impacts who we are today and tomorrow.

    Contemporary America is currently witnessing the emerging presence of radicalized conservative political forces endeavoring to redefine our historical narrative and reconstruct our national identity. The emergence of anti-woke, anti-intellectual, illiberal, autocratic, authoritarian, and anti-democratic movements and trends within American society poses significant threats to the nation's progress and our national security.

    These radicalized movements impede our ability to reach our utmost human potential and undermine the exceptionalism of the United States and its global leadership. To counteract this trajectory, it is imperative that we retain a collective understanding of our identity as a people and acknowledge the immense strides we have made throughout our history. Drawing inspiration from John Winthrop's vision, we must strive to become the beacon of hope, a metaphorical “shining city upon a hill” that other nations aspire to emulate.

    A SAINT JULIAN PRESS, Inc. – Book Review © 2023
    Written by Publisher/CEO/Executive Editor – Ron Starbuck
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    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A Revealing and Inspiring Book

    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
    King: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a comprehensive and meticulously researched biography delving into the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., the eminent leader of the American civil rights movement. Eig’s work draws upon extensive sources, including recently declassified FBI files, to construct a multifaceted and intricate portrayal of King as a man of remarkable moral fortitude and political acumen. Nevertheless, the author does not avoid examining King’s imperfections, such as his struggles with infidelity and depression, thereby humanizing the iconic figure.

    Eig commences the book by illuminating King’s formative years in Atlanta, Georgia, where he grew up in a middle-class family and received an education within the confines of the city’s segregated school system. Despite these adversities, King exhibited exceptional intellectual prowess and innate leadership qualities, rapidly ascending the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ranks, the organization he spearheaded during the apex of the civil rights movement.

    Throughout the narrative, Eig chronicles King’s seminal moments, encompassing the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, and the Birmingham campaign. Moreover, he delves into lesser-known accounts of King’s clandestine endeavors, such as his arduous efforts to mobilize black voters in the South and his vociferous opposition to the Vietnam War.

    The author confronts King’s shortcomings head-on, acknowledging his extramarital affairs and battles with depression. But, conversely, Eig contends that these personal failings did not detract from King’s unwavering dedication to the cause of civil rights. Instead, he argues that these flaws endowed King with relatability and enhanced his leadership efficacy.

    King: A Life is an exemplary biography that proffers a novel and incisive perspective on one of the most influential figures in American history. Jonathan Eig’s opus is indispensable for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the civil rights movement and the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Eig adeptly interweaves King’s personal life and public activism, deftly demonstrating how his faith, family, and friendships contributed to his unwavering commitment to the cause of civil rights. He conscientiously situates King within the broader historical context, elucidating the profound impact of other civil rights luminaries, such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, on King’s trajectory while underscoring his reciprocal influence on the civil rights movement.

    Despite its considerable length, King: A Life remains captivating throughout, as Eig narrates King’s story with both eloquence and fervor. The book is enriched by a wealth of meticulously researched details that will engage scholars and general readers alike. King: A Life is a masterful biography poised to attain classic status. It is an essential read for those seeking profound insights into the civil rights movement and the lasting imprint of Martin Luther King Jr.

    Jonathan Eig’s presentation of evidence is meticulous and compelling. Drawing from FBI files, he illuminates the extensive surveillance endured by King under the auspices of the federal government. Moreover, he substantiates King’s struggles with infidelity and depression through direct quotations from King’s papers. Moreover, Eig supplements his research with interviews of King’s acquaintances, kin, and colleagues, providing a comprehensive panorama of King’s life and accomplishments.

    Jonathan Eig’s comprehensive research and articulate presentation of his findings attest to his expertise in the subject matter. He deftly identifies the pivotal themes in King’s life and work, offering nuanced interpretations of his enduring legacy. Consequently, King: A Life serves as a valuable resource for those desiring a more profound understanding, constituting a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read.

    There is something more here, of course. Jonathan Eig has written a remembrance and reminder of how democracy in America is ever evolving into a more perfect union. And that our history matters in this evolution. Our nation’s past impacts who we are today and tomorrow.

    Contemporary America is currently witnessing the emerging presence of radicalized conservative political forces endeavoring to redefine our historical narrative and reconstruct our national identity. The emergence of anti-woke, anti-intellectual, illiberal, autocratic, authoritarian, and anti-democratic movements and trends within American society poses significant threats to the nation's progress and our national security.

    These radicalized movements impede our ability to reach our utmost human potential and undermine the exceptionalism of the United States and its global leadership. To counteract this trajectory, it is imperative that we retain a collective understanding of our identity as a people and acknowledge the immense strides we have made throughout our history. Drawing inspiration from John Winthrop's vision, we must strive to become the beacon of hope, a metaphorical “shining city upon a hill” that other nations aspire to emulate.

    A SAINT JULIAN PRESS, Inc. – Book Review © 2023
    Written by Publisher/CEO/Executive Editor – Ron Starbuck
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2025
    As a teacher who has guided students through African American biography projects for years, I came to King: A Life by Jonathan Eig with a sense of familiarity. I’ve read countless young adult biographies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and thought I had a solid grasp of his story. But Eig’s masterful biography proved just how much more there was to learn.

    That said, the book took a while to draw me in. It felt like a slow starter, and I found myself wondering at first whether it would offer anything new. But once it found its rhythm, I was hooked. Eig doesn’t simply recount King’s life — he paints a deeply human portrait of a man who was visionary yet flawed, courageous yet conflicted. This is not the sanitized version of King that often appears in textbooks; it’s a complex, three-dimensional look at a remarkable leader navigating impossible circumstances.

    One of the most powerful sections for me was Eig’s examination of King’s time in Chicago — a chapter of his life that is too often glossed over. I had the privilege of hearing Eig speak at a Chicago Architecture Society event where he discussed this very topic. That evening was unforgettable, and his insights only deepened my appreciation for how he handled the Chicago chapter in the book. The sad truths he shared — about systemic racism, urban inequality, and the resistance King faced in the so-called “City of Broad Shoulders” — were tough to absorb but so important to understand.

    What makes King: A Life so effective is not just the meticulous research (which is top-notch), but the emotional honesty. Eig draws on new sources and personal interviews to create what feels like the definitive King biography of our time. It compares favorably to his previous work on Muhammad Ali — another brilliant, layered book — but I’d argue this one carries even greater historical weight.

    This is a biography that will challenge what you think you know and leave you with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Martin Luther King Jr. I highly recommend it — especially to educators, history enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a fuller picture of one of the most important figures in American history.
    4.5 stars Immersive Kindle/audible.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2025
    Jonathan Eig's biography of Martin Luther King is outstanding and comprehensive. The book is well researched (the author conducted over 200 interviews) and it cover's King's entire life (warts and all!) with excellent detail. The book is extremely well written and very readable.

    The bottom line is that King is an excellent book (it won the Pulitzer Prize for biography), and it's a worthwhile read for anyone interested a good biography or American history.

    The book has extensive notes. While these notes are primarily for sourcing purposes, they do contain a fair amount of additional information. Unfortunately, there isn't a bibliography.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2025
    Jonathan Eig does an outstanding job of capturing the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His research was thorough and accurate. This is a must read for all King fans. I'm the president of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Fan Club. I was 5 years old when Rev. King was assassinated and can still remember the reaction of my parents upon learning the news of the assassination that evening. Me personally, I am forever indebted to Martin Luther King, Jr. and all of those who worked with him.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Donald Burke
    5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding account of MLK's life
    Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2024
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading King: A Life. Of course, the subject matter--the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--itself is immensely interesting. But the author has recounted this life with honesty and grace. I couldn't set the book aside for more than a few hours, or a day at most, without going back to continue reading.
    Although I knew some outline of Dr. King's biography, having grown up during the 60's, I came away from reading this book with a growing respect and admiration for the ways in which he sought to adhere to his commitment to peaceful, but demanding change. The author makes clear that Dr. King's life was shaped deeply by his Christian faith; but that did not mean that he was perfect. As a person of his time, Dr. King shared some of the cultural and social biases of the day. The author allows us to see these foibles, but does not amplify them needlessly. Whether intentionally or not, the author has captured the ambiguity that characterizes the lives of all of us.
    In many places, the storytelling is superb. For example, the account of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington was spellbinding. It was almost as if I was there. I had to stop reading to allow the scene to sink in and the import of the moment to take hold.
    This book is a must read for those who want to know more about the life of MLK.
  • Marc Helgesen
    5.0 out of 5 stars MLK as a real person.
    Reviewed in Japan on July 9, 2023
    Reveals Dr. King as a real person, who faced struggles and challenges. He wasn't just the hero we've learned about. Brilliant.
  • Tania Oliver
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Love it Thankyou
    Reviewed in Australia on October 17, 2024
    Perfect Love it Thankyou
  • Peter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Was man schon immer über den wackeren Kämpfer gegen Rassismus wissen wollte
    Reviewed in Germany on January 31, 2025
    Sehr lesenswertes Buch und spannend geschrieben.
    King hat den Kampf gegen Rassismus mit seinem Leben bezahlt.
    Nicht ganz vergebens wie man in diesem Buch erfährt, leider bis
    heute immer noch aktuell
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  • Harish Davda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, well researched and written.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2025
    Great read! I learnt more about Dr King which I didn't know. He achieved a great deal in his short life. A charismatic leader with a strong calling and human. Well researched and written with detailed historical accounts. Highly recommended.