Martin Luther King, Jr. (Routledge Historical Biographies)

Rating:
Summary: A Solid and Concise Biography
Review: In his biography, Peter J Ling attempts to inform the reader about the book's subject in less than three hundred pages what other writers such as David Garrow described in books over twice the length. It is fair to say he has succeeded; the main incidents and themes of King's life are given a good and balanced treatment, such as the Montgomery bus boycotts, his stance on the Vietnam war, through to his assassination and its effect on the world.

Early on in the book, Ling quotes a fellow civil rights activist who claimed "Martin didn't make the movement, the movement made Martin". The whole book appears to be an attempt to assess that statement - of whether King really was the saviour and hero he is perceived as being today, or whether he was simply swept along in a media ride and has been immortalised since his early death. Although it is never explicitly stated, Ling appears to lean toward the latter argument, but never does so without denying King's greatness or without credible evidence.

Although the prose is well written and lucid, my only complaint would be that Ling does not seem to have the same passion for King's life that others who have covered the same topic, such as Stephen Oates and Michael Eric Dyson. He mentions throughout the book that biographies should not be trusted by those serious in studying history, because they tend to exaggerate the achievements of the individual. Perhaps that is why his love for the subject never completely shines through.

Whatever disagreements readers may have with it, it is a welcome addition to the King biography shelf because of its concise style and unbiased manner. A suitable book for students of King's life.