Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement

Many histories of the civil rights movement focus on the role and influence of Martin Luther King, beginning with his rise to leadership during the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott and ending with his 1968 assassination in Memphis.  However, recent scholars have questioned the accuracy of this King-centred narrative, arguing that black activism was already a potent force in many places before Kings involvement, and continued to be so long after his death.

John A. Kirk delivers a fresh perspective on the relationship between the man and the movement. He argues that analysing the interaction between national and local movement concerns is crucial to gaining a better understanding of Kings leadership, as well as the movement as a whole. This book also:

- Provides a critical analysis of Kings strengths and weaknesses

- Examines the contributions of other key figures in the civil rights movement

- Demonstrates how thousands of grassroots activists played an important role in the civil rights movement

Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement is perfect for any student looking for an introduction to the topic, as well as anyone with an interest in gaining new insight into the wider role and impact of one of the most important figures and movements of twentieth-century world history.

John A. Kirk is George W. Donaghey Professor and Chair of the History Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is author, editor or co-editor of seven books and numerous articles and essays on the civil rights movement in the United States.