King's Dream: The Legacy of Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" Speech (Icons of America)

A new evaluation of Martin Luther King, Jr.s, renowned speech, now hailed as the most powerful American address of the twentieth century Includes the entire text of "I Have A Dream" I have a dreamno words are more widely recognized, or more often repeated, than those called out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963. Kings speech, elegantly structured and commanding in tone, has become shorthand not only for his own life but for the entire civil rights movement. In this new exploration of the I have a dream speech, Eric J. Sundquist places it in the history of American debates about racial justicedebates as old as the nation itselfand demonstrates how the speech, an exultant blend of grand poetry and powerful elocution, perfectly expressed the story of African American freedom. This book is the first to set Kings speech within the cultural and rhetorical traditions on which the civil rights leader drew in crafting his oratory, as well as its essential historical contexts, from the early days of the republic through present-day Supreme Court rulings. At a time when the meaning of the speech has been obscured by its appropriation for every conceivable cause, Sundquist clarifies the transformative power of Kings Second Emancipation Proclamation and its continuing relevance for contemporary arguments about equality. "Sundquist's careful, thoughtful study unearths new and fascinating evidence of the rhetorical traditions in King's speech."--Drew D. Hansen, author of The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech T hat Inspired a Nation "I have a dream"--no words are more widely recognized, or more often repeated, than those called out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963. King's speech, elegantly structured and commanding in tone, has become shorthand not only for his own life but for the entire civil rights movement. In this new exploration of the "I Have a Dream" speech, Eric J. Sundquist places it in the history of American debates about racial justice--debates as old as the nation itself--and demonstrates how the speech, an exultant blend of grand poetry and powerful elocution, perfectly expressed the story of African American freedom. This book is the first to set King's speech within the cultural and rhetorical traditions on which the civil rights leader drew in crafting his oratory, as well as its essential historical contexts, from the early days of the republic through present-day Supreme Court rulings. At a time when the meaning of the speech has been obscured by its appropriation for every conceivable cause, Sundquist clarifies the transformative power of King's "Second Emancipation Proclamation" and its continuing relevance for contemporary arguments about equality. "The ['I Have a Dream'] speech and all that surrounds it--background and consequences--are brought magnificently to life . . . In this book he gives us drama and emotion, a powerful sense of history combined with illuminating scholarship."-- The New York Times Book Review (Editor's Choice)

includes The Entire Text Of I Have A Dream

“i Have A Dream”—no Words Are More Widely Recognized, Or More Often Repeated, Than Those Called Out From The Steps Of The Lincoln Memorial By Martin Luther King, Jr., In 1963. King’s Speech, Elegantly Structured And Commanding In Tone, Has Become Shorthand Not Only For His Own Life But For The Entire Civil Rights Movement. In This New Exploration Of The “i Have A Dream” Speech, Eric J. Sundquist Places It In The History Of American Debates About Racial Justice—debates As Old As The Nation Itself—and Demonstrates How The Speech, An Exultant Blend Of Grand Poetry And Powerful Elocution, Perfectly Expressed The Story Of African American Freedom.

 

this Book Is The First To Set King’s Speech Within The Cultural And Rhetorical Traditions On Which The Civil Rights Leader Drew In Crafting His Oratory, As Well As Its Essential Historical Contexts, From The Early Days Of The Republic Through Present-day Supreme Court Rulings.  At A Time When The Meaning Of The Speech Has Been Obscured By Its Appropriation For Every Conceivable Cause, Sundquist Clarifies The Transformative Power Of King’s “second Emancipation Proclamation” And Its Continuing Relevance For Contemporary Arguments About Equality.

the Washington Post - Clay Risen

each Chapter Of Sundquist's Intelligent And Important Book Focuses On One Of Several Themes In The Speech, Unpacking The Sources Of The Words And Placing Them Within A Broader Civil Rights Context. His Last Chapter, Not By The Color Of Their Skin, Is One Of The Most Incisive Analyses Of The Affirmative Action Debate I Have Ever Read.

In This New Exploration Of The I Have A Dream Speech, Sundquist Places It In The History Of American Debates About Racial Justice And Demonstrates How The Speech, An Exultant Blend Of Grand Poetry And Powerful Elocution, Perfectly Expresses The Story Of African-american Freedom. Dreamer, 1963 -- Freedom Now! -- Soul Force -- Lincoln's Shadow -- Whose Country 'tis Of Thee? -- Not By The Color Of Their Skin -- Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have A Dream. Eric J. Sundquist. Series From Jacket. A Caravan Book--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 235-275) And Index. 'I have a dream' - no words are more widely recognized, or more often repeated, than those called out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by Martin Luther King, Jr, in 1963. Exploring the 'I have a dream' speech, this title places it in the history of American debates about racial justice, debates as old as the nation itself. Exploring Martin Luther King Junior's "I have a dream" speech, this book places it in the history of American debates about racial justice, debates as old as the nation itself, and demonstrates how the speech, an exultant blend of grand poetry and powerful elocution, perfectly expressed the story of African American freedom. In this new assessment of Martin Luther King, Jr.s 1963 I have a dream speech, Eric J. Sundquist explores the origins of the speech, its place in the long history of American debates about equality and race, and why it is now hailed as the most powerful American address of the twentieth century. Contents 7 Introduction 9 One. Dreamer—1963 22 Two. Freedom Now! 75 Three. Soul Force 113 Four. Lincoln’s Shadow 150 Five. Whose Country ’Tis of Thee? 178 Six. Not by the Color of Their Skin 202 Appendix. Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” 237 Notes 243 Acknowledgments 285 Index 289