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Rating: 
Summary: Finally their side of the story
Review: A warm, poignant, honest tale of the pressures of growing up in the shadow of a giant. Not graduating from Morehouse college due to having undiagnosed A.D.D.Constantly being compared to his father whom he bears an uncanny resemblence. Losing his father, and grandmother in a very violent way. Expected to carry out "the dream" the way society wanted him to. Unable to sustain relationships for fear of getting too close. I am sure this book was cathartic for him. He nows need to live his dream- HIS FATHER GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ALL TO BE FREE- his children should be free to choose their own lives. His father would be proud of him.
Rating:
Summary: Still Growing
Review: Dexter Scott King's memoir accounts for the tremendous history of the King family and his life as the physically favoring, second son of Martin Luther King, Jr. Through the story of his life, Dexter answers the questions many Americans have about the last 34 years: Where did the dream go? What happened to the King family? What finally happened in the assassination case? Dexter Scott King describes the aftermath of the civil rights movement and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....his father.
Growing Up King allows you to look back at the last thirty years with clarity. Dexter King is reflective and honest, humble and dutiful. He is a man without a calling, called to be that man. He reveal his earliest childhood memories of loving family life and also the tolls of his father's work. He sheds a unique perspective on events that changed history, and evokes respect for all who supported the survival of his family. He openly shares personal memoirs, and modestly describes his influence on the King Center and other social and political projects.
The private access to the King family is refreshing, as Dexter provides up-to-date reports about his mother, Coretta, his oldest sister Yolanda, his older brother Martin and his younger sister Bernice. Their stories, and those of cousins, uncles, and grandparents describe an American saga of love, dedication, commitment and strength. Dexter also discloses the intricacies of the assassination case and resolutions thus far. Growing Up King connects the present to the past, the next generation to the dream.
Dexter's tone in Growing Up King is as natural as a journal: generally chronological, informative, and quite intimate. If anything, we readers see that the second son of America's greatest social and political leader still has some growing up to do. His attitude is of one who has gotten the bad end of the stick, one who does not yet truly believe in his own power, whether in his own light or his father's shadow. There seems always the unattainable quest to be great in his own right, to find his own dream. By reading Growing Up King I realize, Dexter Scott King has not only lived up to his family name, he has allowed the dream to live on.
Rating: 
Summary: MOVING BEYOND THE SHADOW
Review: The progeny of great men and women are usually compared to their venerable parent. Such is the case in the Martin Luther King, Jr. family. Since his death a microscope has been placed over his children comparing them to him. Dexter, the second son and third child of King attempts to break out of the shadow of his father and reveals to us his hopes, dreams and aspirations for himself and his family. Dexter's text is a good try but fails in its efforts. Growing Up Kings gives the reader the perspective of a child raised in the Martin Luther King, Jr. family. Dexter reveals the challenges that he faced in living under the shadow of a famous father. We as readers are shown the stresses and pressures put upon the family as they faced tragedy after tragedy but continued on with the dream as articulated by King. Dexter does a fair job in sharing with us some of his family's personal matters but is very restrained in critiquing the actions of his mother and other civil rights icons. As you walk through the narrative, you will find Dexter repeating himself and giving the reader a history of the civil rights movement. He shares his foibles but was again there is a restraint in his revelations. Just how much is Dexter telling us that is true? Our author seems to never be able to stand on his own two feet without invoking the shadow of the King family over his life. The best part of the book is his explanation regarding the safeguarding of M.L.K Jr.'s speeches and intellectual property that is not in the public domain. You will learn that there is another side to the story and Dexter tells it well. You also receive a bit of insight regarding the functionairies of the King Center and how Dexter chose to resign his position as president rather than become a puppet. Like many people I was attracted to this book due to the nature of its contents. Who wouldn't want to know what it is like growing up under Martin Luther King, Jr.? Dexter's story was interesting but lacked a greater depth in terms of his own vision for the future beyond his family. He appeared to be trapped in the King mystique although he tried to become his own man. The book neglected any full scale treatment of his relationships with his mother and siblings. Yes, he throws tidbits concerning his failed love relationships but those appear to be mere diversions to keep up your interest. In general we are given a decent perspective of the King family.Hopefully a more definitive portrait of the family will come from the rest of his siblings.
Rating: 
Summary: Alone in the Garden
Review: This is a book to first read in a sweet southern garden alone while dew is still on the roses, irises & peachblossoms. Surrounded by the delicate gifts of an Almighty Creator, protected and ensconsed by the angelic scents, comforted by the tender and gentle caress of quiet nature - the real gift of this author's honesty, humility and heavensent humor will awaken even the most cynical sleeping dog who may have become somewhat complacent in the mission of true and enduring freedom! Softly and gentlemanly, Mr. Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr & Mrs. Coretta Scott King, unfolds a simply detailed and selectively recorded easy-to-read history lesson from his unique prospective. No incident is too dramatic for him to avoid, and no challenge is too deep for him to leave unconfronted. Never mind the seemingly burdensome cloak that may have caused him to sleep away many hours, the uplifting mantle of "unconditional" acceptance and "abundant" grace with which one of the heirs of The Civil Rights Movement covers an era in time is a treasure to be read and appreciated by every American, every human, every individual interested in contributing to FREEDOM! The second reading should be shared.
Rating:
Summary: Routine autobiography, nothing new to add to the King aura
Review: This is NOT a story about Martin Luther King, Jr...But then again, it is! With such an imposing aura and legendary persona that Martin possesses even in death, it would be extremely hard for anyone trying to extract meaningful context without him playing a prominent role to analyze anything for or against it. GROWING UP KING is Dexter Scott King's story. He being the youngest of Martin's four children, sets out to give revelations for the first time what it was like growing up within the huge monolithic shadow of greatness, and how his fathers' maxims continue to inspire and inform his own ideas on race matters. I would imagine amid the aura of being a member of such a prominent family it would behoove one to set a sustained agenda to carve a preferred path. With this book, you'd think that definitions would be finally told in the first person. I wanted to be rational as I read this book and try not to compare the Martin of yesteryear to what his offspring needed to bring forth. But to do this, I knew I had to do so with an open mind. Thus, I read it with mixed emotion, and tried to be objective in attaining a reasonable view to support the author's intent, and more importantly, to see if certain truths would come forth to quell rumor, and set the record straight on a multitude of issues. Most notably the controversy surrounding The King Center for Non-Violent Social Change. I came away with a feeling of loss, as if something truly was missing that wasn't said that should have been. I kept looking for reasons to give standing ovations to a member of this family who had the courage to give insight to all questions the public wanted answered. For those looking for insight that hasn't been before public domain, there may be something that Dexter espouses that may warrant merit. File this one on the shelf with the rest of the books written about the King family legacy. I rate this book above average, but still worthy of a read if nothing more than to give chance to this scion who endeavor to be his own man.
Rating:
Summary: Very Insightful Read
Review: This was a very insightful read for me. No, this is not a story about Martin Luther King, Jr .. it's about living the life as Martin Luther King, Jr's child. It reveals the ups and downs of being born to a public figure such as the late GREAT Martin Luther King, Jr. Dexter does a pretty good job of showing us the hurdles he and his family have had to cross. I think it's good for people to read, because you get to see what the family members are faced with (a sort of behind the scenes glance at being in the shadow of one's famous father). Dexter also gives you insight on The King Center. I recommend this read to all people. Teachers and professors should also have this book on their list of student required reads. Tonya Howard
http://www.sisterdivas.org
Rating:
Summary: Very Insightful Read
Review: This was a very insightful read for me. No, this is not a story about Martin Luther King, Jr .. it's about living the life as Martin Luther King, Jr's child. It reveals the ups and downs of being born to a public figure such as the late GREAT Martin Luther King, Jr. Dexter does a pretty good job of showing us the hurdles he and his family have had to cross. I think it's good for people to read, because you get to see what the family members are faced with (a sort of behind the scenes glance at being in the shadow of one's famous father). Dexter also gives you insight on The King Center. I recommend this read to all people. Teachers and professors should also have this book on their list of student required reads. Tonya Howard
http://www.sisterdivas.org
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