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

[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. . . . [H]elpful 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

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. . . . [T]his excellent guide is highly recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries.

Lawrence Looks at Books

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

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

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