Becoming King

Description

Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader
by Troy Jackson

Before he became an icon of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was a young pastor navigating the complexities of leadership, faith, and social justice in a deeply segregated America.

In Becoming King, historian Troy Jackson offers an intimate and deeply researched portrait of King’s early development as a national leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Drawing on archival materials, sermons, and interviews, Jackson explores how King’s experiences in Montgomery—and his collaboration with local activists, ministers, and the broader African American community—transformed him from a relatively unknown preacher into the moral voice of a generation.

This compelling narrative reveals:

• The pivotal role of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in shaping King’s philosophy of nonviolence

• The influence of King’s spiritual grounding and theological training on his leadership

• The dynamic interplay between grassroots activism and charismatic leadership

• The challenges, doubts, and growth that marked King’s path to prominence