Martin Luther King, Jr

With the consolidation of Martin Luther King, Jr’s reputation as not simply a great leader of the US civil rights movement, but as an international historical figure, there has been something of a burgeoning industry in the publication of books on his life and achievements. There are few, however, aimed at young readers that will better this biography by Amy Pastan. It is beautifully produced with about a hundred historic photographs and illustrations in full colour, printed on fine grade paper. It covers, as one would expect, all the main contours of his life, which though well known, are placed in a fresh and fairly comprehensive political, social and spiritual context. In spite of these credentials, it never gets bogged down in historical facts and analysis so as to lose its strong narrative thrust, and remains from beginning to end a compelling account of a remarkable life.