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Greenwood Biographies
Jesse Jackson: A Biography
Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition, as well as his own candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor. This biography traces his rise from his single-parent upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina, through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King Jr., to social and political leadership, audacious international diplomacy, and continued efforts to keep hope alive. It also covers his personal struggles and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him over the years.
Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition, as well as his own candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor. This biography traces his rise from his single-parent upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina, through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King Jr., to social and political leadership, audacious international diplomacy, and continued efforts to keep hope alive. It also covers his personal struggles and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him over the years.
For decades, Reverend Jesse Jackson has been the nation's foremost African-American activist and leader. He has used his considerable talent, charisma, and ambition with great success, and the many accomplishments are discussed here. Readers will learn how Jackson has manipulated the system to fight for economic justice and political goals, breaking new ground. He and his actions have also engendered towering animosity, resentment, and scorn, and critical views of him are presented as well. Numerous photos complement the biography.
Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition, as well as his own candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor. This biography traces his rise from his single-parent upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina, through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King Jr., to social and political leadership, audacious international diplomacy, and continued efforts to keep hope alive. It also covers his personal struggles and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him over the years.
For decades, Reverend Jesse Jackson has been the nation's foremost African-American activist and leader. He has used his considerable talent, charisma, and ambition with great success, and the many accomplishments are discussed here. Readers will learn how Jackson has manipulated the system to fight for economic justice and political goals, breaking new ground. He and his actions have also engendered towering animosity, resentment, and scorn, and critical views of him are presented as well. Numerous photos complement the biography.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2005
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About the author
Roger A. Bruns
38 books2 followersRoger Bruns (b. 1941) is an author and the former deputy director for the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 2, 2025
BOOK REVIEW - Jesse Jackson, Life, Influence, and Legacy, by Roger Bruns (2005)
Jesse Jackson burst on the scene with electrifying speeches at the 1984 and 1988 Democratic National Convention. I still remember where we were. We were driving west from NY to UT and were in Iowa. It was dusk and our kids were still awake. They listened intently as we did. This biography, published 20 years after that electrifying speech, tracks the arc of Jesse Jackson’s life and influence.
As a youth, Jackson was a good student and athlete; he won a football scholarship to the University of Illinois but eventually transferred to North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where he earned a B.A. in sociology. While in college, Jackson gravitated toward activism, spurred in part by the civil rights era’s momentum.
Jackson’s early activism brought him into contact with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1965, he participated in the Selma marches and became associated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
After King’s assassination and internal tensions in the SCLC, Jackson resigned and in 1971 founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), which aimed at combining social activism with self-help, lobbying, and economic initiatives. In the 1980s, Jackson expanded his ambition to the national political stage. He launched runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and again in 1988. Though he did not win the nomination, his campaigns broke racial barriers, mobilized new voter blocks, and forced greater visibility for issues of racial inequality, economic justice, and social inclusion.
Jesse Jackson’s influence is multifaceted:
Symbolic breakthrough - His presidential campaigns were among the earliest serious runs by an African American.
Mobilizer of marginalized voices - Jackson’s activism, voter registration drives, and focus on inner-city economic development empowered communities often left out of mainstream politics.
Moral and rhetorical presence - He is widely regarded as a gifted orator, a moral voice pushing America toward “hope, inclusion, equality.” His speeches—often invoking spiritual and prophetic themes—resonate with many.
Controversy and critique - Jackson’s decisions, style, and alliances have at times drawn criticism—charges of political opportunism, overreach, inconsistency, or insufficient focus on class issues have all been leveled. Bruns does not ignore these criticisms.
Overall the book is a good introduction to Jackson’s life and legacy. But I would not consider it a definitive biography.
Quotes:
“Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition … Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor.”
“Presenting critical as well as positive views of Jesse Jackson, this biography for high school students and general readers traces Jackson’s rise from obscurity in South Carolina through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King, his social and political leadership, and his international diplomacy. It also covers his personal and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him, plus a chronology.”
Bloomsbury Publishing
Jesse Jackson burst on the scene with electrifying speeches at the 1984 and 1988 Democratic National Convention. I still remember where we were. We were driving west from NY to UT and were in Iowa. It was dusk and our kids were still awake. They listened intently as we did. This biography, published 20 years after that electrifying speech, tracks the arc of Jesse Jackson’s life and influence.
As a youth, Jackson was a good student and athlete; he won a football scholarship to the University of Illinois but eventually transferred to North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where he earned a B.A. in sociology. While in college, Jackson gravitated toward activism, spurred in part by the civil rights era’s momentum.
Jackson’s early activism brought him into contact with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1965, he participated in the Selma marches and became associated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
After King’s assassination and internal tensions in the SCLC, Jackson resigned and in 1971 founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), which aimed at combining social activism with self-help, lobbying, and economic initiatives. In the 1980s, Jackson expanded his ambition to the national political stage. He launched runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and again in 1988. Though he did not win the nomination, his campaigns broke racial barriers, mobilized new voter blocks, and forced greater visibility for issues of racial inequality, economic justice, and social inclusion.
Jesse Jackson’s influence is multifaceted:
Symbolic breakthrough - His presidential campaigns were among the earliest serious runs by an African American.
Mobilizer of marginalized voices - Jackson’s activism, voter registration drives, and focus on inner-city economic development empowered communities often left out of mainstream politics.
Moral and rhetorical presence - He is widely regarded as a gifted orator, a moral voice pushing America toward “hope, inclusion, equality.” His speeches—often invoking spiritual and prophetic themes—resonate with many.
Controversy and critique - Jackson’s decisions, style, and alliances have at times drawn criticism—charges of political opportunism, overreach, inconsistency, or insufficient focus on class issues have all been leveled. Bruns does not ignore these criticisms.
Overall the book is a good introduction to Jackson’s life and legacy. But I would not consider it a definitive biography.
Quotes:
“Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition … Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor.”
“Presenting critical as well as positive views of Jesse Jackson, this biography for high school students and general readers traces Jackson’s rise from obscurity in South Carolina through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King, his social and political leadership, and his international diplomacy. It also covers his personal and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him, plus a chronology.”
Bloomsbury Publishing
January 29, 2016
This was a very good biography, though it wasn't written as well as it could have been. Roger Bruns gives an engaging representation of the life of Jesse Jackson, highlighting things such as travels abroad and political rallies. Bruns intertwines many quotes into the text, backing up whatever he happened to say previously. At some points, this book sounded a bit too much like a textbook for my liking, but that was rare, and the only other problem was a few awkward sentences here and there. Definitely a good choice if you want to learn a lot about the course of Jackson's life so far.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews