What Would Martin Say?

by Clarence B. Jones, Joel Engel

On April 4, 1968, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, depriving the world of one of the greatest moral authorities of the twentieth century. He was thirty-nine. King had achieved so much at such a young age that it is hard to believe that he has been gone longer than the brief time he spent on this earth. He spoke out not only on segregation and racism against African Americans, but about many other issues of the day, from police brutality and labor strikes to the Vietnam War. Given the current state of the world, we would all benefit from hearing Martin's voice, if only he were alive today. . . . If anyone would have insight into what Martin would say, it would be Clarence B. Jones, King's personal lawyer and one of his closest principal advisers and confidants. Jones—now seventy-seven, has chosen the occasion of this somber anniversary to break his silence—removing the mythic distance of forty years' time to reveal the flesh-and-blood man he knew as his friend, Martin. Jones ponders what the outspoken rights leader would say about the serious issues that bedevil contemporary Islamic terrorism and the war in Iraq, reparations for slavery, anti-Semitism, affirmative action, illegal immigration, and the vacuum of African American leadership. Delving deep into his memories of the man he worked closely beside, and with help from the King Institute at Stanford University and reams of formerly top-secret and now declassified FBI files, Jones offers the guidance and insight his friend and mentor would have provided for us in these troubled times. Many Americans today know of Martin Luther King only from video clips and history books. As Jones so aptly reminds us, this legendary figure was also a warm human being full of life—and more relevant now than ever.

Genres: History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Demetria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part bio, part informed fiction...if that makes any sense. The author, Clarence Jones was a close friend and advisor of Martin Luther King Jr., he had a hand in writing many of MLK's most famous speeches. Jones gives readers alot of interesting anecdotal background about MLK that really helps to flesh out the man behind the legendary moniker. Using his intimate knowledge of King's thoughts and rationale, Jones presents what he believes would be King's opinions on many of today's pressing issues like immigration, war and contemporary black leadership. Jones' MLK is pretty darn conservative and it's not always clear when it's moreso Jones' personal opinion than MLK's imagined ones. Nevertheless, this book is a good read and extremely well-written. There are some beautiful, lean, rhythmic sentences in this book.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5, more thoughts later.

[Natasha Rogen]

I do not recommend this book. Unless you want an overview of how a circa 2000 Republican thinks on a variety of topics.

Though the author is one of my idols, I think he used Martins name of the cover to make his thoughts more intriguing to people passing by. I do recommend his other book, Behind the Dream.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clarence Jones speaks his mind but I would caution him in publishing something that only gives white people more ammunition when it comes to Civil Rights issues. He blames his own race for many of the issues they face. I know a lot of white conservatives who would love this book, and that scares me.

[Mills College Library]

323.092 J765 2009

[Shay B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though informative in some ways, you don't walk away with the feeling that the question is not quite answered. Watch my full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ7wA...

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book looked like an interesting read when I found it at the library a couple months ago. It did turn out to be an interesting read. However, I had one major qualm with this book. Mostly, I guess the whole premise, though intriguing, is a bit maddening. It would be interesting to think about what Martin Luther King, Jr. *might* say about some of the issues we face in our world today. However, at the same time, part of me thinks that maybe it's best not to put words in another person's mouth, especially someone who is unable to respond to what is being said. I am aware that the author worked *very* closely with King, and that he knew what King's beliefs and attitudes were. At the same time, though, it just doesn't seem right for him to say, "This is what Martin would have said." I think this book might have been a bit more to my liking if he had said, "I worked closely with Martin, and he influenced me greatly. Because of the things he taught me, this is what I believe about the following issues." Many of the points he raised were thought-provoking, and I can certainly appreciate his perspective as someone who was so deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. At the same time, though, I do believe this book could have been greatly improved by not putting words in Martin Luther King's mouth.

[MaryAlice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to Jone's history with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Other chapters deal with the quality of contemporary black leaders, illegal immigration, affirmative action, the war on terror and "What Would Martin Say?" to James Earl Ray. In each chapter, Jones takes readers for a walk in the past, explaining King's reasoning on yesterday's issues. He ends chapters saying what King might say today about those issues and ways to resolve them.

2023 postscript, I am wondered where all the MLK types are today. Great orators, the movers and shakers, who inspire, helping bring about positive change in the U.S. of A.

[James Tapscott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having seen how so many have co-opted M L King's words for there particular political or social agenda, it is refresing to interpret through those who lived, prayed, suffered and worked with M L King what his response to todays issues might be. This opens a vision of Martin L King that is ignored by the "black leaders" & the mainstream media in todays culture.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book and someone who knen Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as anyone I suppose. Interesting perspective in Mr. Jones' writing in that he tells the story as he beleives MLK would have seen different current issues such as racisim, terrorism, affirmative action and others. Very provocative.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Especially in light of current developments with Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson...

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard Clarence Jones speak about this book and bought it> He was a wonderful speaker and I gained insight from reading his book.