Death of a King

The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year

By: David Ritz, Tavis Smiley

Narrated by: Tavis Smiley

A revealing and dramatic chronicle of the twelve months leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.

Martin Luther King, Jr. died in one of the most shocking assassinations the world has known, but little is remembered about the life he led in his final year. New York Times bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King's life, revealing the minister's trials and tribulations -- denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country's black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology, and political tactics, to name a few -- all of which he had to rise above in order to lead and address the racism, poverty, and militarism that threatened to destroy our democracy.

Smiley's Death of a King paints a portrait of a leader and visionary in a narrative different from all that have come before. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King's life -- one that adds both nuance and gravitas to his legacy as an American hero.

Critic reviews

Winner of the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Award

"A reverential look at Martin Luther King Jr.'s last agonizing year that does not disguise the flaws of a saint.... [A] poignant account of King's final struggle. An eloquent, emotional journey from darkness to light."—Kirkus Reviews

"Tavis Smiley has captured not only the spirit of the movement, but the Spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. in his last days. We didn't realize it but he knew he was on his way to Jerusalem, and as much as we tried to deter him, he fought back."—Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Mayor of Atlanta

"Death of a King is a fitting climax to a noble saga. It is here adequately told and placed before history."—Reverend Gardner C. Taylor

A "microscopically focused biography, which trades in both weighty events and the everyday joys of family life."—Time

"Tavis Smiley has brought forward in his book Death of a King an accounting of the last year Dr. King was physically with us -- an accounting very much needed. Tavis rightfully emphasizes the error it is to continually emphasize his martyrdom mostly with no mention of the great work he did. Tavis's book helps people focus on his work and the spirit with which he worked."—Dorothy F. Cotton, Education Director for SCLC, the organization led by Dr. King

"Tavis Smiley illuminates the passion and struggle of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last 365 days."—AARP's Editors' Picks

"One of the most important political voices of his generation."—The Philadelphia Inquirer

"A dramatic retelling of King's final and pivotal year."—Leonard Gill, Memphis Flyer

"Death of a King paints a portrait of a leader and visionary in a revealing and dramatic chronicle of the 12 months leading up to King's assassination."—Nicole M. Robertson, The Oakland Press

"Smiley also serves as the reader for the audio, a factor that gives another level of personalization to the already gripping narrative. In the introduction, Smiley remembers how when he was growing up, he recited the speeches of Dr. King in order to "find his own voice." And what a voice it is. Smiley's narration is smooth, measured, and backed by a rich, authoritative tone that truly adds another level of sentimentality and familiarity to the audio. Recommended for history buffs and those interested particularly in Dr. King."—Brian Odom, Booklist

"A must-read.... ... King feels like a real person instead of a larger-than-life caricature."—Kelvin Wade, Daily Republic

Stellar, exemplary, laudatory

Tavis Smiley narrated this book perfectly. I will listen to this book again and again. I urge anyone that has interest in American history to purchase this book immediately you will not be disappointed, in fact you will be enlightened above all. Thank you Travis :-)

Rewritten History The Right Way

If you let them tell it, Dr. King's assassination comes shortly after his I Have a Dream speech. But this book bridges the gap between that day on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and 5 years later, his final moment of life. I learned so much more about the man and less about the deified martyr. Well done Tavis, we'll done.

Completely engaging, edifying and entertaining

What did you love best about Death of a King?

I loved the pace of the book, the amount of context that TS provides, the insight into the characters and the motivations of each.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, MLK.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have a particular favorite, but what struck me most forcefully was the evolving recognition that his spiritual commitment to peace related to his feeling about the war and about Negro civil rights.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book made me laugh many times, MLK had a great sense of humor. The quotes from many of the speeches made me cry. They were deeply spiritual and moving. His death, of course and the reading of the eulogy that MLK wrote for another fallen civil rights leader, made me cry from sadness and awe.

Any additional comments?

I have always known that MLK was a Reverend and a civil rights leader, but I had never read anything that so clearly linked his ever-evolving relationship to God with his views about Negro (as he referred to it) civil rights and about Vietnam. This book did a great job chronicling this spiritual path without being a "religious" text. It was also astounding to me to read about how reviled MLK was by the Black community leadership and by the press at the time of his death, all of this has faded from our minds. Thank you TS for reminding us about how far advanced MLK was in his spiritual path and how little we understood about his inner journey and where he had arrived at at the time of his death. I also loved TS's voice reading- thank you TS for reading this yourself! Yours was the perfect voice to share this good news, it lent authenticity and conveyed deep love and commitment.

So enlightening

I am so appreciative of this book. I was able to grasp the struggle that Dr. King endured in his last year. It makes sense why this book did not fair well. The truth was exposed and it was not pretty.

Thank you Tavis. Thank you for educating us

a true in depth look.

I loved every part of this excpt the reader. story was outstanding and to see the uncovered sides of Dr. MLK makes me realize how human and how determined he was in his mission. love his legacy all the more.