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Behind the Dream
The Making of the Speech That Transformed a Nation
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Synopsis
An insider's account of the creation of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech that rallied a generation and galvanized the Civil Rights Movement 'I have a dream.' When those words were spoken on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, in front of a quarter of a million people, it marked a turning point in history-not just for America, but for the world. As the crowd stood, electrified, Martin Luther King, Jr. brought the plight of African Americans to the public consciousness and firmly established himself as one of the greatest orators of all time. The speech is commonly regarded-along with the Gettysburg Address and FDR's Infamy Speech-as one of the finest in American history. Behind the Dream is the thrilling, behind-the-scenes story of the weeks leading up to the great event-the government paranoia, the clashing egos, and the last minute legal pad brainstorming -as the Movement battled the clock to bring the impossibly complicated March on Washington to life. As told by Clarence B. Jones himself, who was not only Dr. King's personal counsel, advisor, and close friend, but the man who helped Dr. King shape and craft his speech, this important piece of U.S. history sheds new light on the speech that defined the Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for a new America. New & Used
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What Reviewers Are Saying
'What elevates this book above most scholarly tomes is its rare and invaluable insider's insight into not only the happenings of the day but also the people involved.' - The Irish Examiner 'Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the course of American history by challenging - and inspiring - the country to confront injustice and live up to our founding ideals. The words he spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963 will forever be immortalized for their beauty and power, and they will forever echo in the soul of American life. Jones and Connelly capture the fascinating story behind this historic moment, shedding new light on a speech that ushered in a new dawn for the nation.' - Mayor Michael Bloomberg 'The words of Dr. King live on as a gift to our country. As someone who stood beside him during those years, Clarence B Jones puts them in context and brings the stories around them to life. He and Stuart Connelly take us inside the greatest moments of the American civil rights movement and behind the scenes of a speech that awakened our collective conscience.' - Soledad O'Brien 'America would be a very different place if it weren't for the hard work of men like Clarence Jones. Different - and vastly less just. Behind the Dream takes us behind the scenes of Dr. King's historic 'I Have a Dream' speech, which Jones helped write. It's a story that is as remarkable as it is inspiring.' - Arianna Huffington 'The words 'I Have a Dream' are as applicable today as they were all those years ago. Behind The Dream provides a beautiful glimpse at the origins of an enduring work. Clarence B. Jones illuminates the history in a way no one else could. To learn the story of the speech's creation from the man who was there is to appreciate Martin's genius all the more.' - Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate 'The author provides numerous intriguing insider insights about life on the road with King... Essential reading about a moment of surpassing political and moral importance.' - Kirkus [starred review] Praise for What Would Martin Say?: 'A service to King's legacy, by lifting the layers of oversimplifying myth and legend to reveal a deeper, more complex man.' - Newsweek 'Clarence B. Jones, Dr. Martin Luther King's personal attorney and adviser, provides insight into what the slain civil rights leader would say about the state of today's political affairs. Jones offers provocative views of how King would view racial and religious conflict, illegal immigration, and war.' - Ebony 'Bold...The notion of acting as a medium for the departed King is provocative, but Jones is a smooth manager of feisty prose. What's here is a sort of political parlor game and, like a good parlor game, it will make for lively conversation.' - Publishers Weekly 'Jones seeks to 'translate King for a modern audience.' A gimmick? Absolutely not. The lengthy responses Jones fashions, each one based on his intimate knowledge of King's vision, are well thought out and great material for discussion.' - Booklist