The first ever trade history of a landmark of American letters--Martin Luther King Jr's legendary "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
The first ever trade history of a landmark of American letters--Martin Luther King Jr's legendary "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
Jonathan Rieder is professor of sociology at Barnard College, Columbia University. He is the author of The Word of the Lord Is Upon Me: The Righteous Performance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Canarsie: The Jews and Italians of Brooklyn Against Liberalism. He has been a regular commentator on TV and radio, a contributor to the New York Times Book Review, and a contributing editor for the New Republic.
A brilliant new reading of 'Letter from Birmingham Jail.' Jonathan Rieder rescues a document too often encased in abstraction, insisting we read it in its searing moment: amidst the violence, hope, and courage of the struggle for racial justice in which it was born. Gospel of Freedom is an indispensable guide to one of the most important documents of the twentieth century. Daniel T. Rodgers, the Lea Professor of History, Princeton University, author of AGE OF FRACTURE 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' has been long overshadowed by Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech. Now Jonathan Rieder has written a vital book that gives the Birmingham letter its due as a piece of sacred literature in the long war against Jim Crow. A compelling book. Jon Meacham, author of AMERICAN LION and THOMAS JEFFERSON: The Art of Power Beautifully written and deeply illuminating, Gospel of Freedom is the rare book that engages both the general reader and scholarly specialists. It's a lesson in using the art of close reading to reveal the complexity of historical context. Rieder allows us to see the world through the King's eyes, a feat worth celebrating. Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, Peter V. and C. Vann Woodward Professor of History, African American Studies, and American Studies, Yale University Mr. Rieder has brought together a great deal of research, studying archived recordings of King's talks and sermons as well as digging deep into the events of the campaign. Especially apt is the attention he has given to Birmingham's local civil-rights leaders-the great Fred Shuttlesworth, for instance, a man whom Klansmen repeatedly tried to assassinate and whom Bull Connor's fire hoses would gravely injure in May. The Wall Street Journal With freedom songs and racist chants rising off the pages like steam from summer streets, Jonathan Rieder's stirring stage-setting for King's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' brims with passion, rage, and fragile hope. Melissa Fay Greene, PRAYING FOR SHEETROCK and THE TEMPLE BOMBING Rieder offers a sparkling reconsideration of the letter.Rieder's trenchant comments approach the letter on historical and literary grounds but also as a way to better understand the often elusive King. A slim volume that packs plenty of punch, Gospel of Freedom is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the civil rights movement, King, and America itself. Booklist Eloquent and prophetic. Rieder does for our uniquely American saint's 'Letter' what St. Augustine did for the Letters of St. Paul. Part commentary, part homily, part exhortation to the faithful, Gospel of Freedom reminds us of 'the fierce urgency of now.' Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary An extraordinary book. Rieder is the first scholar to illuminate the entire breadth and depth of this remarkable document, with uncommon skill and unblinking honesty. No serious student of the African American freedom struggle can afford to overlook this volume. Raymond Arsenault, author of FREEDOM RIDERS A fresh perspective on Dr. King's message.What distinguishes this work is the author's close reading of King's letter and his explorations of its origins and aftermath.By analyzing the 'Letter' as both literature and moral imperative, Rieder adds to his subject's considerable legacy. Kirkus Reviews Rieder's middle chapters include richly detailed interpretations revealing King's brilliance as an advocate for equality. He portrays King the diplomat as a patient teacher who later transformed into a raging Old Testament prophet who forcefully condemned racism. VERDICT This book's significance lies in its interpretation of the letter, which was itself published later in 1963, and its insights into the often inscrutable King. Library Journal 20130401 For those of us who fought the fight for freedom in Birmingham , Jonathan Rieder's Gospel of Freedom brings alive the extraordinary events of 1963 with insight and eloquence. With the help of rare recordings, he powerfully evokes what it felt like and sounded like to hear Martin speaking-when despondent, indignant, or joyous. Above all, Rieder beautifully captures the spirit of fierce but loving defiance that was key not just to Martin's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' but all our efforts to transform America into a vital democracy. Ambassador Andrew Young Arguably the most creative book about King to date ... Magisterial in style, groundbreaking in content, and magnanimous in purpose. The Christian Century on THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPON ME Eye-opening ... Rieder provides the best anatomy of King's verbal imagination yet. The Nation on THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPON ME A marvelous book, really special David Hollinger on THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPON US Absolutely brilliant ... fantastic, an amazing book Henry Louis Gates Jr on THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPON ME Rieder shows that attempts to define King in terms of white and black influences distort the man and his message ... Invaluable Washington Post Book World on THE WORD OF THE LORD IS UPON ME
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