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The Last Interview
Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Last Interview And Other Conversations
As the Black Lives Matter movement gains momentum, and books like Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me and Claudia Rankine's Citizen swing national attention toward the racism and violence that continue to poison our communities, it's as urgent now as ever to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., whose insistence on equality and peace defined the Civil Rights Movement and forever changed the course of American history.
This collection ranges from an early 1961 interview in which King describes his reasons for joining the ministry (after considering medicine), to a 1964 conversation with Robert Penn Warren, to his last interview, which was conducted on stage at the convention of the Rabbinical Assembly, just ten days before King's assassination.
Timely, poignant, and inspiring, Martin Luther King, The Last Interview is an essential addition to the Last Interview series.
This collection ranges from an early 1961 interview in which King describes his reasons for joining the ministry (after considering medicine), to a 1964 conversation with Robert Penn Warren, to his last interview, which was conducted on stage at the convention of the Rabbinical Assembly, just ten days before King's assassination.
Timely, poignant, and inspiring, Martin Luther King, The Last Interview is an essential addition to the Last Interview series.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2017
About the author
Martin Luther King Jr.
358 books3,213 followersMartin Luther King, Jr. was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. King was a Baptist minister, one of the few leadership roles available to black men at the time. He became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956) and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957), serving as its first president. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Here he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 17, 2017
weird to rate Martin Luther King Jr.'s interviews, like ... who am i to give my opinion on what this brilliant man had to say ?
March 23, 2022
Not the greatest selection of MLK's interviews, but the last one was really interesting to me. I hadn't realized how involved the Jewish community was in the civil right movement.
June 17, 2022
King sought to end the threefold tyranny of war, racial discrimination, and poverty. It was Interesting to see the shift in the beginning where he mainly addressed segregation to the end of his activism where he mainly addressed poverty. It is clear to me that the next barriers of Civil Right was housing discrimination, education discrimination, and labor rights.
June 4, 2017
Nice selection for introducing MLK to newbies.
August 7, 2018
This was a very eye opening book towards Negro segregation in the United States. It was specially appealing to me because, since the book is made up of interviews, it is written in first person which allowed me to clearly understand Martin Luther King Jr.'s point of view and ideas. These also showed a very clear parallelism to the feminist revolution going on currently which made the book even more relatable. I would really recommend this book because it is a great way to understand a revolutionary leader and his remarkable thoughts and wisdom.
May 23, 2017
Lots of compelling ideas in a short and engaging volume.
January 30, 2023
Decided to check out some books of MLK, as in works or interviews or speeches of his, to read and reflect on. With so much of his legacy being rewritten to support ideas and movements today which are antithetical to what I remember being taught about him, I felt it was well past time to go straight to the horse's mouth and hear what Dr. King had to say about a variety of topics.
The first one I chose was the shortest book of the bunch, but which included a collection of interviews with MLK throughout his career. It was perfect as an appetizer of sorts, touching on issues ranging from the distinction between desegregation and integration, the roles of churches and public education in the movement, and even dating advice... sort of... in Ebony magazine back in 1958. He is always careful with his choice of words, and strives for clarity and, when possible, specificity.
What struck me the most was his insistence that full integration through non-violent militancy was the goal, but specifically integration into American mainstream society. King's insistence on full-fledged citizenship for "the new Negro" (as it was put early in the book) was unflinching. His criticism of Black nationalism was also evident, or anything that allowed someone to feel sorry for themselves and use others as scapegoats. I have more books to read... my goal is to read everything he ever wrote or said... but it's clear Dr. King was not a proponent of the woke so-called "anti-racism" of today.
Even as late as his last interview, given less than two weeks before his death, King warned about the possible negative effects of taking Black Power to the point of "replacing one tyranny with another." Though he believed them to be a minority of the movement at that time, he still noted "There are some who are color-consumed and they see a kind of mystique in being colored, and anything non-colored is condemned. We do not follow that course."
I'll eventually do a more in depth piece on all his work, comparing the real King to the co-opted versions we hear of, but as for this book I would easily recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.
The first one I chose was the shortest book of the bunch, but which included a collection of interviews with MLK throughout his career. It was perfect as an appetizer of sorts, touching on issues ranging from the distinction between desegregation and integration, the roles of churches and public education in the movement, and even dating advice... sort of... in Ebony magazine back in 1958. He is always careful with his choice of words, and strives for clarity and, when possible, specificity.
What struck me the most was his insistence that full integration through non-violent militancy was the goal, but specifically integration into American mainstream society. King's insistence on full-fledged citizenship for "the new Negro" (as it was put early in the book) was unflinching. His criticism of Black nationalism was also evident, or anything that allowed someone to feel sorry for themselves and use others as scapegoats. I have more books to read... my goal is to read everything he ever wrote or said... but it's clear Dr. King was not a proponent of the woke so-called "anti-racism" of today.
Even as late as his last interview, given less than two weeks before his death, King warned about the possible negative effects of taking Black Power to the point of "replacing one tyranny with another." Though he believed them to be a minority of the movement at that time, he still noted "There are some who are color-consumed and they see a kind of mystique in being colored, and anything non-colored is condemned. We do not follow that course."
I'll eventually do a more in depth piece on all his work, comparing the real King to the co-opted versions we hear of, but as for this book I would easily recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.
December 27, 2018
MLK’s last interview was a question/answer session with rabbis at the Rabbinical Assembly ten days before his murder in Memphis. The rabbis sang “We Shall Overcome” in Hebrew, then Abraham Joshua Heschel gave him a rousing introduction calling him a prophet. That interview, which touches on his “poor people’s campaign”, his thoughts on anti-Semitism, Jewish economic power, the State of Israel, and Black Power advocates caps this short collection of interviews. This volume also includes his first interview, shortly after the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a never-before-published interview with Dan Rather, and a transcript of a mid-60s interview with Robert Penn Warren. What’s astounding, but not surprising, is the coherence of each of his answers: perfectly formed and polished paragraphs with the minimal static of a live interview. Unfortunately, the interviews aren’t annotated so if one doesn’t know the background events—the Selma March, James Meredith, etc.—one might be lost.
March 7, 2023
This is a fascinating small anthology in this Last Interview series. In order to make it a book, you get more than the last interview, which inevitably captures Dr. King just before Poor People's Campaign and Memphis. The range is also fascinating, from interviewers Mike Wallace and (less succinctly) Robert Penn Warren, to a reprint of Dr. King's advice column (!)
Recommend reading a biography first, whether Parting the Waters: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 1954-63 Branch's trilogy, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, JR., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference David Garrow, or another.
Mildly recommended.
Recommend reading a biography first, whether Parting the Waters: Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement 1954-63 Branch's trilogy, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, JR., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference David Garrow, or another.
Mildly recommended.
July 10, 2017
Insightful interviews and conversations with Martin Luther King, especially his poignant and stil-timely last words, where he spoke about his vision to tackle poverty among people of all races an the purpose of non-violent but nevertheless militant (as in demanding and persistent) movement. Nevertheless, this is a very thin book and thee certainly is more material that could have been used.
Poverty is glaring, notorious reality...I guess it wouldn't be so bad for them if it were shared misery, but it is poverty amid plenty. It is poverty in the midst of an affluent society..." , MLK Jr, March 25th, 1968
Poverty is glaring, notorious reality...I guess it wouldn't be so bad for them if it were shared misery, but it is poverty amid plenty. It is poverty in the midst of an affluent society..." , MLK Jr, March 25th, 1968
July 17, 2017
A good introduction I think, to one of the most influential men of modern times. The style, direct transcripts of his conversations, gives an unvarnished view of his thoughts on the key topics of racism, activism and integration, topics that unfortunately are still all too relevant. Leaves the reader wanting to know more about the man, in a biographical sense and also wanting to dive deeper into his work on these topics. I couldn't help but try to recreate his Baptist, preaching style of speaking in my mind's voice when reading the text!
October 10, 2017
I read this to get to know MLK a little better. Everything he said is still so relevant. I was interested to read what his point of view was, because he said things about how he thought history would go, and he was right in some places, but things now are different than he thought they might be, too. I wonder what he would have to say about where our society is, now. I'm sure he'd still be fighting for the civil rights of all. How sad to have lost him, when our country still needs his voice, even so many years after his passing. He had so much wisdom and strength.
January 21, 2022
I read this during the week of MLK Day along with Why We Can’t Wait. I liked the format of this one and was again impressed with this man, even in casual conversation. I wish there were more excerpts from his advice column. And the interview with Robert Penn Warren was a little frustrating— lots of interrupting and confusing questions. This book has given me a more well rounded view of the Civil Rights Movement and MLK’s role in it. I looked at the other titles I this series because I like the premise, but the other people featured aren’t as interesting to me.
January 10, 2022
حس میکنم کتاب خوبی بود اما من اشتباه انتخاب کردم من میخواستم بيشتر درباره زندگی و فعالیت های کینگ بدونم ولی توی اکثر مصاحبه ها یکم وارد جزئیات ریز تاریخی میشه که کسی که زیاد تاریخ اون مقطع رو ندونه شاید یکم خسته کننده بشه به نظرم این کتاب زمانی مناسبه که اول یه شناخت مناسب از کینگ داشته باشیم بعدش بریم سراغ هرچند بازم چیزایی بود برای یاد گرفتن و استفاده.
September 13, 2022
Just as eloquent as his prepared written speeches.
King speaks on the topics of where we are as American's and where we need to be.
After reading this, I wonder what he would think of today's political topics. How much progress have we made since 1968? There always seems to be such a long road ahead of us.
King speaks on the topics of where we are as American's and where we need to be.
After reading this, I wonder what he would think of today's political topics. How much progress have we made since 1968? There always seems to be such a long road ahead of us.
January 31, 2024
This is a great collection of interviews. I can’t really review this since this is about the life and work of a real person. But what I can say is I like that I can read an interview over watching it. I don’t mind watching an interview but this actually helped me understand it from a different angle.
June 28, 2017
More of an academic work I think, for scholars of Dr King's work. This book is verbatim recordings of interviews with Dr King just before his assassination. It also includes transcript from his personal guidance column in Ebony magazine, and reflects the beliefs of the time around relationships.
May 2, 2018
I would've enjoyed this much more if the formatting wasn't so distracting. The only part of this book that was readable was the last chapter. Otherwise, I spent most of the book reading people interrupting each other and cutting each other off. There are much better Dr. King books out there.
July 10, 2020
It's a damn shame that not much has changed from the time of these interviews to today. I really enjoyed the final interview in this book. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke with such eloquence, insight, intelligence, and dignity. It was wonderful to read.
April 8, 2021
Must read
Some interviews were featured that I wasn’t familiar with which was nice. Also great to read them in their entirety. Rev. King’s words are still highly relevant in today’s society making this book an important work.
Some interviews were featured that I wasn’t familiar with which was nice. Also great to read them in their entirety. Rev. King’s words are still highly relevant in today’s society making this book an important work.
October 12, 2017
Good man.
August 30, 2018
What I appreciate most about this book is that there is nothing added to it! It’s simple transcripts of some important interviews in MLK’s life!
January 26, 2019
Perfect for January. Sadly all-too-relevant today.
June 9, 2020
Really eye opening to hear MLK in his own words. In this collection, King explains how nonviolence can still be militant (persistent and unyielding in its aims), predicts the shape of the civil rights movement in the future, and shuts down offensive questions with so much fire. The interviews in particular displayed his intelligence, savvy, and refusal to shy away from uncomfortable topics and call people out. Highly recommend.
July 20, 2020
A phenomenal man, needless to say.
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March 10, 2017323.092 K53m 2017
March 4, 2018
This was a nice refresher on Dr. King's message and the era in which he operated. Some of this stuff is utterly mind-boggling now: the fixation on interracial relationships, for one. On the other hand, it's painfully clear that a lot of the racist bullshit Dr. King was talking about is still firmly in place today. Some quotes that struck me:
I will say that the lack of context for these interviews struck me as inexcusably lazy on the part of the publisher.
I’m thinking of love in action and not something where you say, “Love your enemies,” and just leave it at that, but you love your enemies to the point that you’re willing to sit-in at a lunch counter in order to help them find themselves. You’re willing to go to jail.
——
It’s not enough to condemn them....What about the society and what about the conditions that are still alive which made people act like this?
——
We have lived so long with this idea, with people saying it takes time and wait on time, that I find it very difficult to, to adjust to this. I mean, I, I get annoyed almost when I hear it, although I know it takes time. But the people that use this argument have been people so often who, who really didn’t want the change to come, and gradualism for them meant a do-nothing-ism, you know, and the stand-still-ism, so that it has been a revolt, I think, against the idea of a feeling, on the part of some, that you can just sit around and wait on time when actually time is neutral. It can be used either constructively or destructively.
I will say that the lack of context for these interviews struck me as inexcusably lazy on the part of the publisher.
February 9, 2017
This was an interesting book that was five interviews and writings from 1957 to 1968. It starts with an interview on PBS which still sounds current. There is an interview with Mike Wallace. There is a piece from Martin Luther King Jt's work in an advise column that ran in the 1950's. This is one of a series of last interview books and certainly an inspiring look at Martin Luther King Jr.
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April 12, 2019"There is such a thing as freedom of exhaustion. That's a temptation you just - you just live under this thing so long that you adjust to it. There was a Negro in Atlanta, in a slum area, who used to play a guitar and sing this song called "Been Down So Long that Down Don't Bother Me." That's the freedom of exhaustion. He just broke down under the load. That has happened to many Negroes. The feeling that you have to fight all the time so that you adjust to conditions as they are." p 26-7
"We have a choice in America to move toward the goal of justice in spite of the tension it will create or stop the process in an attempt to avoid tension while in reality we are tearing away the very core of our nation. This is the choice. The one we should choose? Allow the inevitable tension to arise. There can be no birth or growth without birth and growing pains. Whenever you confront the new, there is the recalcitrance of the old, a response that shall develop." p 37
"I am afraid that we don't have enough people in America really committed to integration, not in terms of intellectual assent. Intellectual assent is merely agreeing that something is true. Not really living it." p 41, or, polite descriptions of virtue signaling
"...I think a revolution can survive without this single centralized leadership, but I do think there must be centralized leadership in the sense that, say, in our struggle, all of the leaders coordinate their efforts, cooperate, and, and at least evince a degree of unity. And I think if we, say, if all of the major leaders in this struggle were at, at, war with each other, then I think it would be very difficult to make this social revolution the kind of powerful revolution that it's proved to be. But the fact is that we have had, on the whole, a unified leadership, although it hasn't been just one person. And I think there can be a collective leadership. Maybe some symbolize the struggle a little more than others, but I think it's absolutely necessary for the leadership to be united in order to make the revolution effective." p 57
"And I guess you do go through those moments when you begin to think about what you're going through and the sacrifices and suffering that you face as a result of the movement, and yet your own people don't have an understanding and are seeking, not even an appreciation, and seeking to destroy your image at every point." p 81
"All too often the religious community has been a taillight instead of a headlight." p 89
"Poverty is a glaring, notorious reality for some forty million Americans. I guess it wouldn't be so bad for them if it were shared misery, but it is poverty amid plenty." p 106
"We have a choice in America to move toward the goal of justice in spite of the tension it will create or stop the process in an attempt to avoid tension while in reality we are tearing away the very core of our nation. This is the choice. The one we should choose? Allow the inevitable tension to arise. There can be no birth or growth without birth and growing pains. Whenever you confront the new, there is the recalcitrance of the old, a response that shall develop." p 37
"I am afraid that we don't have enough people in America really committed to integration, not in terms of intellectual assent. Intellectual assent is merely agreeing that something is true. Not really living it." p 41, or, polite descriptions of virtue signaling
"...I think a revolution can survive without this single centralized leadership, but I do think there must be centralized leadership in the sense that, say, in our struggle, all of the leaders coordinate their efforts, cooperate, and, and at least evince a degree of unity. And I think if we, say, if all of the major leaders in this struggle were at, at, war with each other, then I think it would be very difficult to make this social revolution the kind of powerful revolution that it's proved to be. But the fact is that we have had, on the whole, a unified leadership, although it hasn't been just one person. And I think there can be a collective leadership. Maybe some symbolize the struggle a little more than others, but I think it's absolutely necessary for the leadership to be united in order to make the revolution effective." p 57
"And I guess you do go through those moments when you begin to think about what you're going through and the sacrifices and suffering that you face as a result of the movement, and yet your own people don't have an understanding and are seeking, not even an appreciation, and seeking to destroy your image at every point." p 81
"All too often the religious community has been a taillight instead of a headlight." p 89
"Poverty is a glaring, notorious reality for some forty million Americans. I guess it wouldn't be so bad for them if it were shared misery, but it is poverty amid plenty." p 106
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews