It seems an appropriate day to mention that Taylor Branch's new history title, The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement, was just released on January 8. (PLEASE NOTE: This book is a compilation of selections from his trilogy on the subject, starting with Parting the Waters. The good news is, if you don't have time to read all three volumes, you could just read this new book instead.) He won the Pulitzer Prize for the first book in his series of books on this subject, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63. I read that a long time ago, but it was interesting. Some day when I win the lottery this is one of the long series that I'll sit right down and read (along with Robert Caro's biographies of Lyndon B. Johnson, which, heaven help me, I just don't have the time for right now).
However, if you're looking for something shorter that might make you think about the state of civil rights and race issues today, I would definitely recommend Geoffrey Canada's Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence.
I've read all three volumes of Taylor Branch's history (but then I don't have a toddler any more). Can you tell me whether this new book is an abridgement of the other three or if there is new material in it.
Posted by: Donna | 21 January 2013 at 05:40 PM
Donna--
Oh, my good lord in heaven, this book is a compilation of selections from his trilogy. That is how fast time is flying--I was thinking this was the next volume IN his trilogy, not realizing that they've all already been published! So sorry for any confusion and I'll add that info to the post. THANK YOU for pointing it out.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 21 January 2013 at 08:24 PM