The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Clayborne Carson Play Audiobook Sample

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Audiobook (Unabridged)

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Clayborne Carson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: LeVar Burton Publisher: Hachette Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: December 1999 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

He was a husband, a father, a preacher - and the preeminent leader of a movement that continues to transform America and the world. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the twentieth century's most influential men and lived one of its most extraordinary lives. Now, in a special program commissioned and authorized by his family, here is the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr. drawn from a comprehensive collection of writings, recordings, and documentary materials, many of which have never before been made public.

This history-making autobiography is Martin Luther King in his own words as read by others and in his own words and voice: the mild-mannered, inquisitive child and student who chafed under and eventually rebelled against segregation; the dedicated young minister who continually questioned the depths of his faith and the limits of his wisdom; the loving husband and father who sought to balance his family's needs with those of a growing, nationwide movement; and the reflective, world-famous leader who was fired by a vision of equality for people everywhere.

In original recordings of his own vivid, compassionate voice, here at last is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s unforgettable chronicle of his life and his legacy. Years in the making, and woven together from thousands of recordings and documents, including letters to his family and diary entries, this program is a unique compilation which includes many rare recordings of Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering sermons, speeches, lectures, and addresses. Highlights include I Have a Dream, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, and The Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.

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"This autobiography is pieced together from a variety of available records. I started to read it years ago, but put it aside because the beginning reads like a factual diary, sort of a captain's log. This time I kept reading, and was rewarded to see the course of the civil rights movement through the events as they unfolded in King's own life. The writing gets better as the book progresses, and that 'voice' that King is known for becomes more prominent. His written and recorded speeches, demonstrate the best of his writing and they are included throughout along with personal letters."

— Renee (4 out of 5 stars)

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.0625 out of 54.0625 out of 54.0625 out of 54.0625 out of 54.0625 out of 5 (4.06)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 7
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1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Well done considering the limitations for it being an autobiography. "

    — Dana, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I chose to read this because I find Martin Luther King Jr. to be one of the most inspirational people there is. His story really touches my heard and inspires me. Martin Luther King Jr. did a lot for our country and I believe that his autobiography is important for all children to read. The struggles him and the African Americans faced during this time need to be known and understood to children of my generation. "

    — Taylor, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I'm pretty sure this is the CD set I listened to on a drive to Oklahoma a couple of years ago. It was really amazing to hear the biography intertwined with Dr. King's actual speeches. "

    — Tim, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was a bit difficult for me, but I have to say that the words martin luther king left in his autobiography is touching and inspirational. I will definately read it again sometime! "

    — Youngchai, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " i never knew he was stabbed by a black lady. "

    — Reilly, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fantastic! Written from MLK's point of view based on historical documents. "

    — Diana, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It can be a bit dry, but the author was very careful about what to include. Author because, even though it is an autobiography, it is actually a posthumous compilation of King's writings, speeches and sermons. The book is worth reading for a few things: his conviction, his impassioned speeches and the last few chapters. In the last few chapters he writes/talks candidly about the state of his country and the world and what needs to happen. It is sad to see that things are not better now but worse in exactly the ways he was addressing. His haunting last speech the day before he was shot is also very beautiful. "

    — Katie_marie, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " not an easy read but amoung the pages I met the man that I hope to be. "

    — Jeff, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Wasn't ths guy a womaniser? "

    — Beatles1964, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " the only book I have read about MLK. Very interesting read. "

    — Emmanuel, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Man MLK was solid. he was so much more than just a great civil rights leader and activist. he was a voice of truth and strength with unwavering conviction. reading his speeches and sermons gave me chills. "

    — Jason, 11/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A thrilling, insightful,interesting, and highly readable read of one of one of the most important people of the twentieth century "

    — Stefan, 10/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent autobiography of M.L. King. I didn't know very much about the man so this was a very good introduction. "

    — Tom, 10/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This guy was a real super hero "

    — Joseph, 6/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book! I really recommend the book on tape version as many of the King speeches are actual recordings. The first half was more interesting in my opinion but overall it was very informative. "

    — Matt, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is an excellent piecing together of the life of this great man in his own words. "

    — Ken, 8/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Okay, but got tedious. So much repetition. "

    — Jen, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Brilliantly puts his speeches and sermons in full context to grasp their power and immediacy. I felt at times though that it needed a companion piece to give a wider perspective and discuss the impacts and reactions to his actions. "

    — Lumberjuan, 7/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As amazing as the man himself was. A great read, eloquent but concise. "

    — Collett, 5/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very good book. It is beyond inspirational. His application of the bible with the blending of civil disobedience inspired and progressed this nation. The Letters from the Birmingham are definitely the crux of his life philosophy. I would highly recommend this book. "

    — Jsg169, 3/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was outstanding. I feel like I am his friend and I am inspired to live my life differently from this point forward. "

    — Justin, 3/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Stunning book, and one of the few books whose words brought to me to tears. As a previous reviewer said, "It'll make you want to do something." "

    — Josh, 12/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " good book- a litte disjointed but it will most certainly make your blood boil and make you want to rise up against whatever it is that may hold you down! "

    — Elaine, 7/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a great book -- essentially in Dr. King's own words. Definitely reinforced my admiration for him and taught me things about him and the Civil Rights movement I did not know. "

    — Meghna, 1/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It was good, but would of been much better if it were an actual autobiography instead of MLK's work and letters pieced together in an effort to make it seem like an autobiography. "

    — Hakan, 1/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is an excellent piecing together of the life of this great man in his own words. "

    — Ken, 12/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Thought it a very inspirational book! An amazing man! Didn't know if it would be for me till about 4-5 chapters in! So glad I read it! "

    — Keely, 11/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this is soooooooo good you should read it some day. "

    — Tynisha, 11/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Enlightening. What a hero. I had to pull over about ten times while listening to this in my car to copy down some of his quotes. "

    — Spencer, 9/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Beautiful narration of a great struggle by common people under impressive leadership of King! "

    — Shaheera, 8/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This recording contains many of Dr. King's speeches in his own words, the rest of the autobiography is recorded by LeVar Burton. This is a great road-trip CD. "

    — Taylormjensen, 8/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Okay, but got tedious. So much repetition. "

    — Jen, 7/17/2010

About Clayborne Carson

Clayborne Carson, PhD, was a participant and observer of African American political movements during his undergraduate years at UCLA. Since receiving his doctorate in 1975, he has taught at Stanford University, where he is now professor of history and director of the King Papers Project. He has also been a visiting professor at American University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Emory University and a fellow at the Center for the Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. His scholarly publications have focused on African American protest movements and the political thought of the period after World War II. His writings have appeared in leading historical journals and numerous encyclopedias, as well as in popular periodicals. His first book, In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s, won the Frederick Jackson Turner Award of the Organization of American Historians. Dr. Carson has lectured at many colleges and universities in the United States and abroad on a wide range of topics, including King, Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, Black-Jewish relations, and the need for a multi-cultural curriculum.

About LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton is an Emmy Award–winning actor, presenter, director, author, and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He is best known for his roles as the host of the long-running PBS children’s series Reading Rainbow, as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the young Kunta Kinte in the 1977 award-winning ABC television miniseries Roots. He has also directed a number of television episodes for various iterations of Star Trek, among other programs. He was named 2017’s Best Male Literary Citizen by Literary Hub and is a 2020 recipient of the Ember Award for unsung contributions to literature.