Abstract

To the Mountaintop

The article focuses on the book "Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference," by David J. Garrow. The first thing to be said about Garrow's new book on Martin Luther King Jr. is that it is a singularly impressive piece of research. Using materials from every possible archive as well as data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and in interviews, Garrow has greatly enhanced the appreciation of King and his contribution to history. The second thing to be said is that Garrow's book reflects a very narrow definition of biography. He does not tell readers what he makes of King's life, preferring instead to offer readers information on which to base the conclusions. The strengths of Bearing the Cross are many.