Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir

by Dexter Scott King, Ralph Wiley

The youngest son of Martin Luther King, Jr. describes the shattering impact his father's assassination had on his childhood, his struggle with undiagnosed ADD, his despair over his grandmother's murder, and the inspiration he experienced in his exploration of his father's teachings. 50,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Cindee]

Mr. King came to my bookstore for a signing. He was escorted into the store through the stockroom (where I work). I was so accustomed to celebrity authors sweeping through without even looking in my direction that I did no more than look up when the back door was unlocked and he and his entourage walked in. I expected him to be no different than any of the others. But he surprised me. Not only did he greet me, but he stopped to say hello. He asked a few questions about what I did and how I liked it. Then he smiled and said that it had been nice to meet me. After he was gone, I continued working. When I got off (several hours later), I saw that he was still in a corner of the store, signing his book. I got in line. I made it up to the front in about 45 minutes. The Community Resource Manager of our store took the book I was holding and reminded me that she would have gotten a book signed for me had I mentioned it. No, I answered, if Mr. King could take a few minutes to stop for me, I could take a few minutes to stop for him. He looked up from the book, surprised. I said that he had been the first author deemed important enough to be brought in through a secured entrance who had ever acknowledged my existence... and that he was the first of them whose book I would purchase. His response? You look different without your apron. And thank you.

[Dhs Sparrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dexter King's Memoir is a little bit rough reading at times, but because of who is writing it, and what it is all about, I enjoyed the book. It seems like there is a continuous wrestling match between Dexter the ordinary man with his alter-ego the son of MLK. It's quite a tall order, to be like dad, no matter how you place it. MLK was one of the great men of the 20th century, I think of him as the Mahatma of America.

Now, Dexter was not/is not the 3rd coming of Ghandi (MLK being the 2nd). In fact, Dexter has lived a somewhat normal life, drifting in and out of the edge of the music business, working a bit in movies, having started out his career in the Atlanta police department. The son of Martin Luther King Jr.?

Dexter recounts how throughout his life others, and perhaps he himself, as well, measure his life work/success against his dad. Unfair! But I enjoyed reading Dexter's account of just how hard that has been.

=====================

Another theme, which starts later in the book, is the King's family's questions about how dad was killed.

Dexter recounts the civil trial in Memphis, with the help of William F. Pepper [_An Act Of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King_] here in his memoir. He emphasizes that this was important to him and the family, to see closure regarding his dad's murder.

There were questions about: where did the shots come from? Does it make sense that James Earl Ray using an unsighted rifle. Was he thus capable of executing Dr. King with a single shot? What about other witnesses who had deeper and more complex stories than that of "James Earl Ray acted alone in shooting Dr. King?"

Since I had read William F. Pepper's book sometime ago, I enjoyed hearing Dexter's angle on the trial, and reminding me of some of the issues with the "official account" of Dr. King's assassination.

[Chris Cash · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supposedly, the King children have finally settled the myriad of lawsuits between themselves over MLK's and CSK's assets and legacy. After reading Dexter's book, and understanding how deeply resentful he is (he paints himself a victim of everyone and everything), I doubt this sad mess will ever be fully resolved. Waiting for the next round of litigation. It will come....

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a interesting story and I enjoyed learning something about the family that I did not know. This is a book that is better to physically read yourself. I listened to it on audible and it was really hard to get through. I usually enjoy listing to biographies or Memoir being read by the author but this is an exception. The annoying music played toward the end of some chapters was just that annoying and in my opinion purposeless.

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is an emotional rollercoaster that Dexter had to face after his father's shooting. He did not grieve nor cry when it happened at a young age, later affected his adulthood, where he had to see a spiritual counselor to heal. He also acknowledged when he was seeking the truth about his father's alleged murderer: James Earl Ray. He knew that he came from a Christian family, that would forgive those who has hurt them or even murdered a family member. He gives an example that his Big Mama (grandmother) was killed and his grandfather forgive the killer and that it was their Christian duty. Therefore, if his father was alive, he would also forgive the woman who stabbed him in the chest at Harlem Dept. Store and nearly took his dear life. Later, Dexter did not believe that Mr. Ray murdered his father, since he was in the military but unable to shoot 100 miles away with a caliber rifle, therefore, how could he shoot 200 miles away when his father was shot. Spark a new trial. It ended up in Judge Joe Brown courtroom. Who killed his legendary father: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

I visited the monumental area in ATL. A little eery reading about it.

3.5 stars

[Lady ♥ Belleza · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Dexter Scott King was watching television one day, there was a breaking news bulletin. The bulletin was that his father had been shot in Memphis.

This book is about his life as one of the children of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the aftereffects of the murder of his father, of his mothers efforts to continue his fathers 'legacy'. He writes of the Civil Rights movement and progress made. The criticism heaped on him and his siblings for 'not being King' and their inability to move forward.

Unfortunately he meanders, he talks about a subject through to the end, then the next chapter goes to another subject that started before this one, then in another chapter he goes back to a previous subject, and everything is very detached and rambling, you make no emotional connection to anything he says, because he is detached emotionally.

Overall this is a very detailed and informative account of what happened to MLK and to the family, but it is not very easy to read.

[Jeff]

Great memoir by Dr. King's son, Dexter, who is a man in his own right who has done many things, and does not need to live in the shadow of his father. However, he is his father's son, and seeks justice, truth and beauty in all of life, and though he doesn't seem to see the connections all the time, it is interesting how God is working through his life and continues to work. It also gives an interesting look into a family who has to deal with nitty gritty details, and made me understand the copyright/trademark, etc, more. Though people think they're in it for the money, (again a stereotype..) they're just trying to be normal folk!

[J L Kruse · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Growing Up King" tells the compelling, personal story of one of the more controversial members of the King Family in his own, hard-fought words. Whether or not you agree with many of the positions Dexter Scott King has taken with regard to the intellectual property management of his father's estate, this book gives you a personal insight into his life and background, and how it has guided some of his most important decision making.

Highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dexter's book gave me an honest read about a man of a famous father. Who after his father's death found himself with male role models but yet he still had to keep his emotions to himself.

The first half of the book was good but the second half made me view him as a man who failed. To have a career and family of his own, not because of his last name but because of his fear of commitment and failure.

[Laura Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, around this time, I read a number of books about MLK. As I recall, this one looked at Dr. Kings life but more so from the persepective of a son trying to live up to the legend and find himself in the process.

[Ana]

I've had this book for a few years and think that every January I would read it....just hasn't happened yet!

[Mrm009]

Book is in the mail, been wanting to read it for a long time.

[Trey Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very challenging read I recommend this for people who want to read long books. It gives a really good perspective