Skip navigation

Martin Luther King Jr. books to be republished

King’s son: Project will bring civil rights leader’s words to global audience

Slideshow
  First-class confessions
In his new book, “PostSecret,” blogger Frank Warren shares the juicy secrets that people have anonymously sent to him on postcards.

more photos

The Week in...  
  
Image:
AP
  Animal Tracks
Two Thanksgiving turkeys, a see-through sea creature, a camouflaged catfish, a hungry golden monkey, a kissing pooch – plus more animals great and small.
Image: Girls stand in the mouth of a cat sculpture in central Kiev
Reuters
  The Week in Pictures
A starry night, cat’s mouth, a lighthouse stands tall, bear attack, a sea of balloons, H1N1 reaction and more news and feature photos from around the globe.
Image: Adam Lambert Visits CBS "The Early Show"
Getty Images
  The Week in celebrity sightings
Adam Lambert talks about AMAs fallout, Richie Sambora finds his way in New Jersey, Spike Lee follows his Knicks to L.A. and more.
TODAY holiday guide video  
  
  Kid chef cooks holiday treats
Nov. 27: A 13-year-old cook teaches the TODAY hosts how to whip up a turkey risotto that is perfect for the holidays.
  Holiday movie preview
  Delicious Thanksgiving leftovers
  Hottest holiday toys
  Last-minute Thanksgiving cooking tips
updated 5:00 p.m. ET June 22, 2009

ATLANTA - Four books that have been long out of print by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be published again under a deal with Beacon Press brokered by King's youngest son.

In a statement, Dexter King called the deal "an historic partnership."

"Beacon Press will be a dedicated public outlet for his work and will help bring his urgently needed teachings of nonviolence and human dignity, and his dream of freedom and equality to a new global audience," said Dexter King, chairman of his father's estate.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

Beacon, a department of the Unitarian Universalist Association, publishes books on social justice, human rights and racial equality. Among the authors it has published are James Baldwin, Derrick Bell, Cornel West, Howard Thurman, Marian Wright Edelman and Roger Wilkins.

On Jan. 18, 2010 — the federal holiday observing what would have been King's 80th birthday — the Boston-based publisher will release new editions of several of King's most important works, which have been unavailable for nearly two decades, including:

  • "Stride Toward Freedom," first published in 1958, King's memoir of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 and 1956;
  • "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?," first published in 1967, King's last book and an analysis of the state of American race relations and the movement after a decade of U.S. civil rights struggles;
  • "Trumpet of Conscience," first published in 1968, containing five lectures King gave in 1967;
  • "Strength to Love," first published in 1963, a volume of his most well-known homilies and the book in the civil rights leader's briefcase when he was killed on April 4, 1968.

Under the agreement — called "The King Legacy" — Beacon will also compile King's writings, sermons, lectures and prayers into new editions with introductions by leading scholars. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  MORE FROM BOOKS  
  
Books Section Front
 
Add Books headlines to your news reader:
 

Sponsored links

Resource guide