Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)

By David Howard-Pitney

Book Overview

The civil rights movement's most prominent leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) and Malcolm X (1925-1965), represent two wings of the revolt against racism: nonviolent resistance and revolution by any means necessary. This volume presents the two leaders' relationship to the civil rights movement beyond a simplified dualism. A rich selection of speeches, essays, and excerpts from Malcolm X's autobiography and King's sermons shows the breadth and range of each man's philosophy, demonstrating their differences, similarities, and evolution over time. Organized into six topical groups, the documents allow students to compare the leaders' views on subjects including integration, the American dream, means of struggle, and opposing racial philosophies. An interpretive introductory essay, chronology, selected bibliography, document headnotes, and questions for consideration provide further pedagogical support.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312395051
• ISBN13: 9780312395056
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Bedford Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Read

The authors of this text did an excellent job in comparing and contrasting Dr. King and Malcolm X. The text used many letters from both leaders, and showed how their ideals evolved throughout their lives.

Malcolm and Martin

This book presents the differences between arguably the two most famous civil rights activists of the fifties and sixties, as well as showing the convergence between their ideas and ideals toward the end of thier respective lives. It is readable, succinct and thorough. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who will be teaching this period in history to middle or high school students.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief Hi

This book is absoltely terrific. It gave me everything I needed to understand the differences and similarities between these two phenomenal leaders.