The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made an everlasting impact during the Civil Rights Movement and on our nation, inspiring an extensive collection of works devoted to the iconic civil rights hero who accomplished so much in his short 39 years. From children’s literature to a comprehensive biography told through his own words, King’s contributions and greatest moments are recalled and revered in these works.
This Martin Luther King Day, take time to expand your knowledge of King’s life. Here are three books, written by Black academics and authors, you can dive into to remember and honor his legacy.
The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Editor: Clayborne Carson
King’s story comes alive in his own words within the pages of this book, a collection of his work—presented posthumously—drawn from his extensive collection of speeches, sermons, letters, and drafts. It shares King’s memories of coming of age in a segregated South, up through his final speeches before his death on April 4, 1968. His widow, Coretta Scott King, entrusted academic professor Clayborne Carson to edit together King’s vast collection of public addresses, private thoughts, and introspective musings.
Indeed, there are many, from lessons King learned from his favorite spiritual guru, Mahatma Gandhi, to his reflections as he sat inside a Birmingham jail cell. While his life ended too soon, King understood that his earthly purpose was to have an impact on others through his message. That sentiment is evident throughout this impressive publication.
Behind the Public Veil: The Humanness of Martin Luther King Jr.
Author: Lewis V. Baldwin
Much has been said about King as a leader and iconic activist, but what about the man as a son, brother, husband, and father? Lewis V. Baldwin, a professor specializing in the history of African American churches, seeks to reveal a more personal side of King in this book. Tapping into testimonials of King’s friends, family, and his own experiences of writing about King for three decades, Behind the Public Veil gracefully exposes King’s human side and outlines the day-to-day activities King enjoyed outside the spotlight.
The book reveals King’s recreational passions, including his love of soul food, a deep appreciation for music and dance, and his fervent love of sports and other games. It’s a welcome showcase of King’s wit, grace, humility, insecurities, and struggles, allowing the man to be more than just an icon.
My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart
Author: Angela Farris Watkins, Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
A larger-than-life figure for most, King was just the beloved uncle in the eyes of his niece, Angela Farris Watkins, who authored this charming children’s book. It flawlessly blends King’s life as a great orator and civil rights leader with the man Watkins and her other cousins knew as “Uncle ML.” Farris Watkins shares poignant recollections of her uncle, whether it’s him laughing over her childhood antics, giving her great big hugs at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where King served as co-pastor, or an astounding incident in which he falls asleep in the most unexpected of places.
Beautifully illustrated with Eric Velasquez’s vibrant painted images, My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart is the perfect MLK retrospective for young readers and readers who are young at heart.