Books

My Top 5 Books on the Civil Rights Era

Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954–63 Taylor Branch

By far the most readable of the civil rights histories, filled with fascinating background on the African American church and Martin Luther King’s personal makeup, plus riveting storytelling. This book will keep you up at night.

* * *

Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference David J. Garrow

A 700-page blockbuster and Pulitzer winner that provides a comprehensive history of King and the movement he led and inspired.

* * *

Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution Diane McWhorter

McWhorter grew up in privileged, white Birmingham, and she provides a graphic panorama of both white and black forces that grappled for power there. No book I know so expands the social, economic, and religious canvas. The book is messy but intoxicating.

* * *

The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today Charles Marsh

Marsh combines the skills of a theologian, historian, and storyteller to bring a probing and meditative description of the civil rights movement, its triumphs and failings, up to its impact on today’s social justice movements.

* * *

Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement John Lewis and Michael D’Orso

Congressman Lewis lived every aspect of the movement: he was beaten several times, arrested more, elected and then deposed as head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, finally entering politics. This memoir is testimony to an incredible era.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous top 5 lists had books about social justice, church history, popular culture, the Civil War, apologetics, atheism, and sex.

Shaking the System is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

News

12 Christian Leaders Who Died in 2024

Remembering Tony Campolo, Jürgen Moltmann, Paul Pressler, and others.

News

20 Stories About a Vibrant Global Church

Mennonites thriving in Paraguay, architecturally stunning church buildings in China, and persistent faith amid Haiti’s pervasive gang violence.

The Bulletin’s Favorite Conversations of 2024

In a tempest-tossed political and cultural season, these episodes anchored us.

Christianity Today’s 10 Most Read Asia Stories of 2024

Tightening restrictions on Indian Christians, the testimony of a president’s daughter, and thoughts on when pastors should retire.

News

13 Stories from the Greater Middle East and Africa From 2024

Covering tragedy, controversy, and culinary signs of hope, here is a chronological survey of Christian news from the region.

CT’s Best Ideas of 2024

A selection of 15 of our most intriguing, delightful, and thought-provoking articles on theology, politics, culture, and more.

Big CT Stories of 2024

Ten of our most-read articles this year.

CT’s Most Memorable Print Pieces from 2024

We hope these articles will delight you anew—whether you thumb through your stack of CT print magazines or revisit each online.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube