Publisher Description
From celebrated Congressman John Lewis comes an eyewitness account of history from a key member of the Civil Rights Movement and confidant to Martin Luther King Jr.
In turbulent times Americans look to the Civil Rights Movement as the apotheosis of political expression. As we confront a startling rise in racism and hate speech and remain a culture scarred by social inequality, there's no better time to revisit the lessons of the '60s and no better leader to learn from than the late Representative John Lewis.
In the final book published before his passing, Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society.
The Civil Rights Movement gave rise to the protest culture we know today, and the experiences of leaders like Congressman Lewis, a close confidant to Martin Luther King, Jr., have never been more relevant. Despite more than forty arrests, physical attacks, and serious injuries, John Lewis remained a devoted advocate of the discipline and philosophy of nonviolence. Now, in an era in which the protest culture he helped forge has resurfaced as a force for change, Lewis' insights have never been more relevant. In this heartfelt book, Lewis explores the contributions that each generation must make to achieve change.
Now featuring an updated introduction from the author addressing the Trump administration, Across that Bridge offers a strong and moral voice to guide our nation through an era of great uncertainty.
Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work/Biography.
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“Faith, patience, truth, love, peace, study, and reconciliation: these are the buckets into which Lewis pours his message…The book provides a testament to the power of nonviolence in social movements, with moving personal accounts of the Freedom Rides…[and] the advice of a wise uncle who has earned the right to say his peace.”
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Publishers Weekly
About John Lewis
John Lewis (1940–2020), who served in Congress since 1987, was a leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. He was a founder and chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and played a key role in the struggle to end segregation. Despite more than forty arrests, physical attacks, and serious injuries, he remained a devoted advocate of the philosophy of nonviolence. He also helped organize the Freedom Rides. He is co-author of the first comics work ever to win the National Book Award, the bestselling graphic novel memoir trilogy March, written with Andrew Aydin. He is also the recipient of numerous awards from national and international institutions including the Lincoln Medal, the John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage” Lifetime Achievement Award, and the NAACP Spingarn Medal, among many others.
About Keith David
Keith David is a classically trained actor, Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee. He stars, alongside Zoe Saldana, in the upcoming Netflix limited series “From Scratch.” Keith was featured in Jordan Peele’s latest film “Nope.” His expansive film credits include 21 Bridges, Night School, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, Requiem for a Dream, Men at Work, They Live, Crash, There’s Something About Mary, The Thing, Platoon and many others. Keith completed 5 seasons starring in Greenleaf for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. Other TV credits include NCIS: New Orleans, Blackish, MacGyver, Fresh Off the Boat, Community, Enlisted, and Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Keith’s collaboration with Ken Burns earned him 3 Emmy Awards for his narration of Jackie Robinson, The War, and Unforgivable Blackness – The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. Most recently, Keith narrated the documentary Ali by Ken Burns. Some of his other voice acting credits include Adventure Time, Bojack Horseman, Rick & Morty, Spawn, and Gargoyles. On Broadway, he starred in Seven Guitars and Jelly’s Last Jam (Tony nomination). As a singer Keith has toured for the past several years with Too Marvelous For Words, in which Keith recreates Nat King Cole. Keith is currently creating a show about legendary blues singer Joe Williams. Born and raised in New York City, Keith is a graduate of the New York High School of the Performing Arts and the Juilliard School.