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Becoming King by Troy Jackson
Becoming King by Troy Jackson
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Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader
by Troy Jackson (Introduction by Clayborne Carson)
"The history books may write it Reverend King was born in Atlanta... but we feel that he was born in Montgomery in the struggle here."
✊🏿 BLACK HISTORY | CIVIL RIGHTS | BIOGRAPHY
An essential academic examination of Martin Luther King Jr.'s early years in Montgomery, illustrating how grassroots activism forged a global icon.
Extended Synopsis
In 1954, a twenty-five-year-old Ph.D. in theology named Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Montgomery, Alabama, to assume the pastoral duties at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader meticulously chronicles this pivotal, transformative era. Before he was a globally recognized Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the voice of a movement, King was a young preacher navigating the deep-seated racial tensions and emerging civil rights battles of the Jim Crow South.
Author Troy Jackson draws upon a wealth of historical documentation and academic research to reveal how the Montgomery bus boycott and the local Black community fundamentally shaped King's leadership, theology, and political strategies. Part of the acclaimed "Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century" series, this book moves beyond the mythos to examine the gritty, grassroots reality of King's crucible. It demonstrates that while King brought profound intellectual gifts to Montgomery, it was the courage and determination of the local citizens that truly birthed his national prominence.
About the Author
Troy Jackson is a respected historian, community leader, and author with a deep focus on the intersection of faith, social justice, and the American Civil Rights Movement. His rigorous archival research brings the grassroots elements of history to the forefront. The introduction is provided by Clayborne Carson, a preeminent scholar and the director of the Martin Luther King Jr., Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.
Reader Targeting & Academic Utility
- History Scholars & Students: Provides deeply researched, localized context for the genesis of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
- Theology & Leadership Students: Offers a profound case study on how pastoral duties intersect with high-stakes political and social leadership.
- Biography Enthusiasts: Delivers a nuanced, grounded look at the formative years of one of the 20th century's most significant figures.
Technical Specifications
| ISBN-13 | 9780813133904 |
| ISBN-10 | 0813133904 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | University Press of Kentucky |
| Publication Date | February 11, 2011 |
| Series | Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century |
| Subjects | Biographies & Memoirs, Black History |
Accolades & Features
- Includes an exclusive introduction by renowned historian Clayborne Carson.
- Part of the prestigious 28-book series focusing on the struggle for Black equality.
- "A vital, fact-driven exploration of the symbiotic relationship between a leader and his community." — Bust Down Books Editorial Review
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