Bestselling author Jonathan Eig brings to bear his impressive gifts of researching and storytelling in this first major biography in decades of Martin Luther King Jr., the 20th century’s great activist, philosopher and leader.

Born Michael King Jr., King changed his name to Martin Luther in honor of the courageous theologian. His rise began in his college years as he studied for the ministry during the nascent period of the fated civil rights movement. In it, he saw and grasped an opportunity to lead his fellow Black people to victory in a noble struggle that at first seemed hopeless --- to assure equal rights for all. Early forays would include school integration, to be followed (it was hoped) by general integration in employment, housing, and even the simplest of rights that many found to be so denigrating: to sit anywhere one liked on a public bus.

"Eig’s book offers a fresh examination of King and the swirl of social and political factors that were prevalent in his day."

With his eloquence and inward strength, King played a role in every aspect of the movement. His intelligently phrased speeches based in spiritual faith moved crowds and inspired others to join in the battle. He also became an outstanding enemy of those opposed to the principles he espoused. FBI director J. Edgar Hoover notably targeted King, seeing him as a dangerous left-wing --- communist --- conspirator. An undaunted King continued to develop new strategies based on his deeply held beliefs, arguing for such things as compensation to Black Americans for their enslavement and becoming a spokesperson against the war in Vietnam. As history tragically records, his bold stance and quiet determination resulted in his assassination in 1968.

Eig has brought to this extensive work new facts concerning King’s family life and public image, delving into FBI files and other hitherto untapped sources. He also gives voice to King’s wife Coretta, who supported her husband in all his crusades against tyranny. After his shocking demise, she became a spokesperson in her own right, marching on behalf of the poor and other maltreated groups, establishing the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and lobbying for a national day to honor her late husband.

Eig’s book offers a fresh examination of King and the swirl of social and political factors that were prevalent in his day. He urges readers to embrace King’s words, to “see and hear him clearly again, as America saw and heard him once before.”