Through It All: Reflections on My Life, My Family, and My Faith

by Christine King Farris

Through It All , a unique, intimate portrait of the Kings, one of America’s most extraordinary families, is written as only a beloved elder sibling of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., could — with insight, tenderness, and wisdom.



Christine King Farris, the only sister of one of America's most internationally celebrated leaders, is the surviving member of the family that stood at the forefront of the civil rights movement. The Kings came from a long line of African Americans in the South who combined education and conviction, not only to survive against the odds , but to make life better for themselves and those around them, especially the poor.



Farris offers a rare opportunity to learn about the man behind the myth. As she describe, Martin Luther King was "no saint, ordained as such at birth. Instead, he was an average ordinary man, called by a God, in whom he had a deep and abiding faith, to perform extraordinary deeds." Through heartwarming revelatory glimpses into her childhood with Dr. King and startling early memories of her family — including the brutal murder of their mother in church and the drowning of their youngest brother — Farris opens the door into her life, her family, and the faith that allows her, in her ninth decade, to still stand for all the principles that make America great.

Genres: Memoir, Biography

257 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2009

About the author

Professor at Spellman College for 49 years and oldest sibling of Martin Luther King, Jr. Writer of a number of children's books.

From a CNN interview:

As she sits in her office surrounded by those memories, she says it's now more urgent than ever that she add her own chapter to his story.

She's the only one left.

"I thought about all that I've been through and all these memories and sometimes it gets tough," she said. "By being the lone survivor, if I don't do this, a part of history will be left out."

Reviews

[Anup Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful perspective of MLK Jr. and the entire King family coming straight from his sister's mouth. Christine King Farris is a remarkable woman in her own right who has done much good as an educator and with continuing the King legacy through the King Center in Atlanta.

Her angle on the historical events and the family is unique and one which I enjoyed, despite having already read a million things about her brother. She was there or at least on standby for so many of King's iconic moments and has remained for the last fifty years as his only living sibling. I was quite interested to learn what happened to his kin beyond his death and Mrs. Farris filled in a lot of those blanks. She humanizes MLK Jr. and the entire family, I have a feel for their lives and their motivations without ever having met them.

My only disappointment, though I understand her hesitance, is that she doesn't go into the controversies and cover-ups surrounding ML's assassination. She doesn't want to open that pandora's box, nor the mysterious deaths of her mother and her other brother, A.D.

This is strongly recommended for those interested in the Kings! A perspective you have never heard.

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very readable account of the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s sister Christine and an interesting overview of the entire King family. Mrs. Farris's writing style holds your interest all through the book and offers facts and insights unknown to many people. A good read.

[Jennice Mckillop · Rating 5 out of 5]

MLK was born in a family strong in service to God & community. He also had great painful experience that could cause him to choose the dark side of hate, revenge, low self esteem & other forms of dehumanization that Jim Crow laws allowed.

We R the better because he chose the high road & under the auspices of his faith in God & love of family & supportive friends, he majored in humanity, serving the lost the lest & the lonely in America.

He is a hero & deserves all the accolades. May we be blessed by another of his kind, & very soon, dear Lord. Please.

Nicely written, easy to read, very interesting,& simply lovely story of this great man’s formative years..

[Brenda Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book it was very informative about the a King family. Mrs. Farris expressed her love for her family in such a loving way.

She really impressed me, and has inspired me to strive to be a good wife, mother, and sibling. Great job!

[David Hindman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and very personal reflection on her life and the lives of her significant family.

[Vilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a memoir written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s older sister. It is a wonderful peek into the interior life of an amazing family (amazing for generations) and a cause. Dr. King certainly did not work alone and we get to see many intimate moments in the lives of people involved in the struggle. I also recommend the picture book Ms. Farris wrote about her brother, "My Brother Martin." It tells interesting anecdotes of childhood, but definitely shows the influences that made her brother such a leader.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read-- we've all heard of Martin Luther King Jr., but this biography, written by his sister Christine shed more light onto his roots-- and told "the rest of the story". MLK came from a long line of Godly men-- reading his family history proves, once again, the importance and power of strong family bonds.

[Martella Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow....King-Farris scrapes beneath the surface of wounds that will never heal as she reflects on family tragedies.

[Jaylene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned quite a few new things - an interesting read.