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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week Reading List

Check out CCID's curated list of recommended readings for MLK Day (in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Image Description The book cover for The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson. The design features a black‑and‑white photograph of Martin Luther King, Jr. standing in a suit with his arms crossed. A desk with papers, books, and office items appears in the background. The lower portion of the cover displays the book title in large serif lettering, with the editor’s name beneath it. A review quote from The New Yorker is printed on the upper left side. Alt Text “Book cover of The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring a black‑and‑white photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. standing in a suit with crossed arms, with the title and editor Clayborne Carson’s name below.”
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson

King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, asked Clayborne Carson to edit her late husband’s work into a biographical format. Carson assembled a comprehensive collection of recordings, writings, and documentary materials to construct a first-person account of one of the twentieth century's most influential men. Reviewers agree that the editor chose each word carefully when informing the readers of King’s legacy. The book provides a detailed description of each chapter of King’s life: the mild-mannered child, the dedicated minister, the loving husband and father, and the world-famous leader.

Alt Text “Book cover for The Promise and the Dream by David Margolick, featuring gold and white text on a dark background and a grayscale profile image of Robert F. Kennedy.”
The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy by David Margolick

Two of the most important civil rights advocates of the 1960s were Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy. Given their shared interests, the dreamer and the doubter formed complex, ever-evolving relationships. These heroes are bound together by great accomplishments and, unfortunately, by greater tragedies. Only 62 days separated their two assassinations: MLK was shot dead on April 4, 1968, and RFK was shot on June 5, 1968, and was pronounced dead on June 6, 1968.

MLK DAY written in orange and CCID Logo
Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King wrote this book on civil rights and social justice during the civil rights struggle. Readers claim that this book has changed their lives, and King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, notes that the key is King's articulation of his philosophy of nonviolence and justice, accompanied by his religious views. The book is made up of short sermon fragments, some of which were composed in prison, and it offers redemptive love.