Reviews
"Troy Jackson makes an important connection between King's early history and his ultimate role as a civil rights leader of the modern movement." -- Tennessee Historical Commission, "Becoming King would be a wonderful addition for advanced high school and college students involved in history, religion, sociology...the themes he explores offer a thoughtful basis for debate and discussion not only about King and the civil rights era but the complexities and challenges of social change in our society."-- Teaching History: A Journal of Methods, ""Jackson does a wonderful job of demonstrating how King found the voice we know so well today and how the principles of non-violence that are so central to who King was were developed during his time in Montgomery."-- Indianapolis Star " --, ""Troy Jackson makes an important connection between King's early history and his ultimate role as a civil rights leader of the modern movement."--Tennessee Historical Commission" --, "Jackson shows in glowing detail how King raised the sights of a local movement to encompass large moral issues and shaped the black struggle for freedom into a human rights movement with international dimensions...This book...is a fundamental freedom movement primer." -- Journal of American History, ""[Becoming King] illuminates how ordinary people's commitments to human rights and nonviolence inspired King as much, if not more, than he inspired them.... Troy Jackson abundantly demonstrates how King's religious faith drew strength from mass struggle."-- American Historical Review " --, ""Becoming King explores the iconic leader's first and most sustained intimate connection with local people within the civil rights movement. As such, the monograph provides further contemplation of King's legacy along with its place in the ever burgeoning civil rights literature."-- Georgia Historical Quarterly " --, "The author's comprehensive analysis of King's sermons before, during and after the boycott artfully depicts a man in transition, from naive do-gooder to world-changer. Jackson's treatment of Montgomery in the post-boycott era offers new insight into the void in leadership and the fractious infighting among the movement's luminaries after King departed the scene. An informed investigation of the struggles that defined a time and place -- and the man who gave them a voice." -- Kirkus Reviews, "I know that King biographies comprise a genre unto themselves, and many are near classic in stature. This brand new one, still, stands out." -- Hearts & Minds Books Blog, "Immerse yourself in the people around King, and Martin Luther King's trials, oratory and strategizing in his fight for civil rights for all Americans."-- NDW Waterline, "Jackson does a wonderful job of demonstrating how King found the voice we know so well today and how the principles of non-violence that are so central to who King was were developed during his time in Montgomery." -- indystar.com, ""This account of the Montgomery desegregation struggle benefits from a subtle shift in focus to the ordinary men and women who served as the foot soldiers in the 1955 bus boycott. Jackson's storytelling skill and broad perspective make this a worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movement."-- Publishers Weekly " --, ""Jackson shows in glowing detail how King raised the sights of a local movement to encompass large moral issues and shaped the black struggle for freedom into a human rights movement with international dimensions...This book...is a fundamental freedom movement primer."--Journal of American History" --, ""This account of the Montgomery desegregation struggle benefits from a subtle shift in focus to the ordinary men and women who served as the foot soldiers in the 1955 bus boycott. Jackson's storytelling skill and broad perspective make this a worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movement."--Publishers Weekly" --, "Becoming King would be a wonderful addition for advanced high school and college students involved in history, religion, sociology...the themes he explores offer a thoughtful basis for debate and discussion not only about King and the civil rights era but the complexities and challenges of social change in our society." -- Teaching History: A Journal of Methods, "Jackson writes well of the transformation that took place, valuing the input of the Montgomery leaders and community to the minister's 'becoming King.' Highly recommended."-- Choice, ""Becoming King would be a wonderful addition for advanced high school and college students involved in history, religion, sociology...the themes he explores offer a thoughtful basis for debate and discussion not only about King and the civil rights era but the complexities and challenges of social change in our society."-- Teaching History: A Journal of Methods " --, ""Jackson reiterates not just how King changed Montgomery's African Americans, but how they changed King; not just the absolutely significant role King played in the boycott, but what King derived from the boycott experience." Harvard Sitkoff, author of King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop "A worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movements." -- Harvard Sitkoff, Publishers Weekly" --, ""Troy Jackson makes an important connection between King's early history and his ultimate role as a civil rights leader of the modern movement."-- Tennessee Historical Commission " --, ""Jackson reiterates not just how King changed Montgomery's African Americans, but how they changed King; not just the absolutely significant role King played in the boycott, but what King derived from the boycott experience." Harvard Sitkoff, author of King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop " --, "'Troy Jackson provides a handy bibliography and a fine narrative of the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama." --American Studies" --, ""Immerse yourself in the people around King, and Martin Luther King's trials, oratory and strategizing in his fight for civil rights for all Americans."-- NDW Waterline " --, ""Jackson reiterates not just how King changed Montgomery's African Americans, but how they changed King; not just the absolutely significant role King played in the boycott, but what King derived from the boycott experience." Harvard Sitkoff, author of King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop "A worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movements." -- Publishers Weekly" -- Harvard Sitkoff, "Clearly and persuasively written... should not only inform but also challenge reader to think more deeply about faith under pressure and about one's responsibilities to promote social and economic justice." -- Restoration Quarterly, "[Jackson] tells a remarkable story about how the local people of Montgomery in their fight for racial equality helped to shape the life of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders."-- Alabama Review, ""Jackson writes well of the transformation that took place, valuing the input of the Montgomery leaders and community to the minister's 'becoming King.' Highly recommended."--Choice" --, "Jackson reiterates not just how King changed Montgomery's African Americans, but how they changed King; not just the absolutely significant role King played in the boycott, but what King derived from the boycott experience." Harvard Sitkoff, author of King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop, ""The author's comprehensive analysis of King's sermons before, during and after the boycott artfully depicts a man in transition, from naive do-gooder to world-changer. Jackson's treatment of Montgomery in the post-boycott era offers new insight into the void in leadership and the fractious infighting among the movement's luminaries after King departed the scene. An informed investigation of the struggles that defined a time and place -- and the man who gave them a voice."-- Kirkus Reviews " --, ""In this excellent book, Troy Jackson offers a superb, nuanced account of Martin Luther King's relationship with Rufus Lewis, E.D. Nixon, JoAnn Robinson, Rosa Parks, and other key figures in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A thorough researcher, Jackson argues convincingly that local activists in Montgomery decisively shaped King's identity as a civil rights leader."--Keith D. Miller, author of Voice of Deliverance: The Language of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Its Sources " --, ""In this excellent book, Troy Jackson offers a superb, nuanced account of Martin Luther King's relationship with Rufus Lewis, E.D. Nixon, JoAnn Robinson, Rosa Parks, and other key figures in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A thorough researcher, Jackson argues convincingly that local activists in Montgomery decisively shaped King's identity as a civil rights leader."--Keith D. Miller, author of Voice of Deliverance: The Language of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Its Sources" -- Keith D. Miller, ""Jackson's research and conclusions are vital to any attempt at fully understanding King's rise in prominence."--Anniston Star" --, "Becoming King is a concise and credible introductory text for students at the undergraduate level. Like effective, nuanced treatments of other wise monumental personages, Jackson humanizes Martin Luther King Jr., without diminishing his greatness." -- Journal of African American History, "[Jackson] tells a remarkable story about how the local people of Montgomery in their fight for racial equality helped to shape the life of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders." -- Tommy L. Bynum, The Alabama Review, "This short, well-written, and thoroughly researched account of the forces that made King a national leader should be studied by every student of the modern civil rights movement."-- Multicultural Review, ""Becoming King is a concise and credible introductory text for students at the undergraduate level. Like effective, nuanced treatments of other wise monumental personages, Jackson humanizes Martin Luther King Jr., without diminishing his greatness."-- Journal of African American History " --, ""[Jackson] tells a remarkable story about how the local people of Montgomery in their fight for racial equality helped to shape the life of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders."-- Alabama Review " --, ""Becoming King is an interesting read filled with several new layers of information. Jackson effectively uses King's words to provide a boycott narrative that illuminates several aspects of the famous civil rights leader's ideological development and how King was able to inspire the working class of Montgomery to sacrifice their only means of transportation."-- Southwest Journal of Cultures " --, ""I know that King biographies comprise a genre unto themselves, and many are near classic in stature. This brand new one, still, stands out."--Hearts & Minds Books Blog" --, ""Anyone interested in Martin Luther King's growth into the man and icon we have come to cherish would do well by starting with this well-written, richly researched contribution to the historical literature." -- Louisiana History " --, "Jackson's book is a finely conceived and well-crafted volume that deepens our understanding and appreciation of the young King.... this study is not only a refreshing approach and great contribution to King scholarship but also a rich addition to the literature on southern religious historiography and culture." -- The Journal of Southern History, "Becoming King is an interesting read filled with several new layers of information. Jackson effectively uses King's words to provide a boycott narrative that illuminates several aspects of the famous civil rights leader's ideological development and how King was able to inspire the working class of Montgomery to sacrifice their only means of transportation." -- Southwest Journal of Cultures, ""[Becoming King] illuminates how ordinary people's commitments to human rights and nonviolence inspired King as much, if not more, than he inspired them.... Troy Jackson abundantly demonstrates how King's religious faith drew strength from mass struggle."--American Historical Review" --, "Jackson shows in glowing detail how King raised the sights of a local movement to encompass large moral issues and shaped the black struggle for freedom into a human rights movement with international dimensions...This book...is a fundamental freedom movement primer."-- Journal of American History, ""Jackson does a wonderful job of demonstrating how King found the voice we know so well today and how the principles of non-violence that are so central to who King was were developed during his time in Montgomery."--Indianapolis Star" --, "In this excellent book, Troy Jackson offers a superb, nuanced account of Martin Luther King's relationship with Rufus Lewis, E.D. Nixon, JoAnn Robinson, Rosa Parks, and other key figures in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A thorough researcher, Jackson argues convincingly that local activists in Montgomery decisively shaped King's identity as a civil rights leader."--Keith D. Miller, author of Voice of Deliverance: The Language of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Its Sources, "Jackson provides a handy bibliography and a fine narrative of the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama."-- American Studies, "Jackson's book is a finely conceived and well-crafted volume that deepens our understanding and appreciation of the young King.... this study is not only a refreshing approach and great contribution to King scholarship but also a rich addition to the literature on southern religious historiography and culture."-- Journal of Southern History, ""Jackson provides a handy bibliography and a fine narrative of the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama."--American Studies" --, "An important addition to the growing shelf of America's most famous civil rights leader."--Historian, ""Clearly and persuasively written... should not only inform but also challenge reader to think more deeply about faith under pressure and about one's responsibilities to promote social and economic justice." -- Restoration Quarterly " --, ""Becoming King is a concise and credible introductory text for students at the undergraduate level. Like effective, nuanced treatments of other wise monumental personages, Jackson humanizes Martin Luther King Jr., without diminishing his greatness."--Journal of African American History" --, "I know that King biographies comprise a genre unto themselves, and many are near classic in stature. This brand new one, still, stands out."-- Hearts & Minds Books Blog, ""Jackson shows in glowing detail how King raised the sights of a local movement to encompass large moral issues and shaped the black struggle for freedom into a human rights movement with international dimensions...This book...is a fundamental freedom movement primer."-- Journal of American History " --, ""Jackson reiterates not just how King changed Montgomery's African Americans, but how they changed King; not just the absolutely significant role King played in the boycott, but what King derived from the boycott experience." Harvard Sitkoff, author of King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop" --, ""Becoming King explores the iconic leader's first and most sustained intimate connection with local people within the civil rights movement. As such, the monograph provides further contemplation of King's legacy along with its place in the ever burgeoning civil rights literature."--Georgia Historical Quarterly" --, "Becoming King explores the iconic leader's first and most sustained intimate connection with local people within the civil rights movement. As such, the monograph provides further contemplation of King's legacy along with its place in the ever burgeoning civil rights literature."-- Georgia Historical Quarterly, "This account of the Montgomery desegregation struggle benefits from a subtle shift in focus to the ordinary men and women who served as the foot soldiers in the 1955 bus boycott. Jackson's storytelling skill and broad perspective make this a worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movement." -- www.publishersweekly.com, "Jackson's research and conclusions are vital to any attempt at fully understanding King's rise in prominence."-- Anniston Star, ""Jackson provides a handy bibliography and a fine narrative of the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama."-- American Studies " --, "Immerse yourself in the people around King, and Martin Luther King's trials, oratory and strategizing in his fight for civil rights for all Americans." -- Cmdr. Youssef Aboul-Enein, The Waterline, "Anyone interested in Martin Luther King's growth into the man and icon we have come to cherish would do well by starting with this well-written, richly researched contribution to the historical literature." -- Louisiana History, "Jackson does a wonderful job of demonstrating how King found the voice we know so well today and how the principles of non-violence that are so central to who King was were developed during his time in Montgomery."-- Indianapolis Star, "Jackson writes well of the transformation that took place, valuing the input of the Montgomery leaders and community to the minister's "becoming King." Highly recommended." -- Choice, ""Immerse yourself in the people around King, and Martin Luther King's trials, oratory and strategizing in his fight for civil rights for all Americans."--NDW Waterline" --, "Jackson's research and conclusions are vital to any attempt at fully understanding King's rise in prominence." -- Anthony Cook, The Anniston Star, "Becoming King is an interesting read filled with several new layers of information. Jackson effectively uses King's words to provide a boycott narrative that illuminates several aspects of the famous civil rights leader's ideological development and how King was able to inspire the working class of Montgomery to sacrifice their only means of transportation."-- Southwest Journal of Cultures, "Jackson's storytelling skill and broad perspective make this a worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movement." -- www.publishersweekly.com, ""[Jackson] tells a remarkable story about how the local people of Montgomery in their fight for racial equality helped to shape the life of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders."--Alabama Review" --, ""Jackson's research and conclusions are vital to any attempt at fully understanding King's rise in prominence."-- Anniston Star " --, ""Clearly and persuasively written... should not only inform but also challenge reader to think more deeply about faith under pressure and about one's responsibilities to promote social and economic justice." --Restoration Quarterly" --, ""Becoming King is an interesting read filled with several new layers of information. Jackson effectively uses King's words to provide a boycott narrative that illuminates several aspects of the famous civil rights leader's ideological development and how King was able to inspire the working class of Montgomery to sacrifice their only means of transportation."--Southwest Journal of Cultures" --, ""I know that King biographies comprise a genre unto themselves, and many are near classic in stature. This brand new one, still, stands out."-- Hearts & Minds Books Blog " --, ""Becoming King would be a wonderful addition for advanced high school and college students involved in history, religion, sociology...the themes he explores offer a thoughtful basis for debate and discussion not only about King and the civil rights era but the complexities and challenges of social change in our society."--Teaching History: A Journal of Methods" --, "Becoming King is a concise and credible introductory text for students at the undergraduate level. Like effective, nuanced treatments of other wise monumental personages, Jackson humanizes Martin Luther King Jr., without diminishing his greatness."-- Journal of African American History, ""This short, well-written, and thoroughly researched account of the forces that made King a national leader should be studied by every student of the modern civil rights movement."--Multicultural Review" --, ""An important addition to the growing shelf of America's most famous civil rights leader."--Historian" --, ""In this excellent book, Troy Jackson offers a superb, nuanced account of Martin Luther King's relationship with Rufus Lewis, E.D. Nixon, JoAnn Robinson, Rosa Parks, and other key figures in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A thorough researcher, Jackson argues convincingly that local activists in Montgomery decisively shaped King's identity as a civil rights leader."--Keith D. Miller, author of Voice of Deliverance: The Language of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Its Sources" --, ""This short, well-written, and thoroughly researched account of the forces that made King a national leader should be studied by every student of the modern civil rights movement."-- Multicultural Review " --, "This account of the Montgomery desegregation struggle benefits from a subtle shift in focus to the ordinary men and women who served as the foot soldiers in the 1955 bus boycott. Jackson's storytelling skill and broad perspective make this a worthy addition to the literature of the U.S. civil rights movement."-- Publishers Weekly, "This short, well-written, and thoroughly researched account of the forces that made King a national leader should be studied by every student of the modern civil rights movement" -- Multicultural Review-, ""Jackson's book is a finely conceived and well-crafted volume that deepens our understanding and appreciation of the young King.... this study is not only a refreshing approach and great contribution to King scholarship but also a rich addition to the literature on southern religious historiography and culture."-- Journal of Southern History " --, "[Becoming King] illuminates how ordinary people's commitments to human rights and nonviolence inspired King as much, if not more, than he inspired them.... Troy Jackson abundantly demonstrates how King's religious faith drew strength from mass struggle." -- American Historical Review, ""The author's comprehensive analysis of King's sermons before, during and after the boycott artfully depicts a man in transition, from naive do-gooder to world-changer. Jackson's treatment of Montgomery in the post-boycott era offers new insight into the void in leadership and the fractious infighting among the movement's luminaries after King departed the scene. An informed investigation of the struggles that defined a time and place -- and the man who gave them a voice."--Kirkus Reviews" --, ""Jackson writes well of the transformation that took place, valuing the input of the Montgomery leaders and community to the minister's 'becoming King.' Highly recommended."-- Choice " --, "Troy Jackson makes an important connection between King's early history and his ultimate role as a civil rights leader of the modern movement."-- Tennessee Historical Commission, ""Jackson's book is a finely conceived and well-crafted volume that deepens our understanding and appreciation of the young King.... this study is not only a refreshing approach and great contribution to King scholarship but also a rich addition to the literature on southern religious historiography and culture."--Journal of Southern History" --, ""Anyone interested in Martin Luther King's growth into the man and icon we have come to cherish would do well by starting with this well-written, richly researched contribution to the historical literature." -- Louisiana History" --, "[Becoming King] illuminates how ordinary people's commitments to human rights and nonviolence inspired King as much, if not more, than he inspired them.... Troy Jackson abundantly demonstrates how King's religious faith drew strength from mass struggle."-- American Historical Review, "Becoming King explores the iconic leader's first and most sustained intimate connection with local people within the civil rights movement. As such, the monograph provides further contemplation of King's legacy along with its place in the ever burgeoning civil rights literature." -- Angela Horsby-Gutting, Georgia Historical Quarterly, "The author's comprehensive analysis of King's sermons before, during and after the boycott artfully depicts a man in transition, from naive do-gooder to world-changer. Jackson's treatment of Montgomery in the post-boycott era offers new insight into the void in leadership and the fractious infighting among the movement's luminaries after King departed the scene. An informed investigation of the struggles that defined a time and place--and the man who gave them a voice."-- Kirkus Reviews
