Product Description

Using the Civil Rights struggle as his historical perspective, the author has created a detailed and absorbing chronicle of Martin Luther King's leadership during the most tumultuous period in America's recent past.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #328933 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Amazon.com Review
Leadership motivational speaker Donald T. Phillips, who has previously drawn organizational lessons for modern businesses from the careers of Abraham Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, turns to civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a role model. A discussion of the Montgomery bus boycott, for example, draws out such principles as "Set goals and create a plan of action" and "Involve the people." More effective as a self-help book for business than as a biography, it does provide a useful introduction to King's life.

About the Author
Donald T. Phillips is the bestselling author of eighteen books, including Lincoln on Leadership and On the Wing of Speed. He has also collaborated on books with Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K of Duke University), Phil Mickelson, and Cal Ripken, Jr.

From AudioFile
Phillips reads with an enthusiastic and strong tenor voice this account of King's leadership of the Civil Rights movement in the late 1950's and the 1960's. The work is not primarily biographical or historical, but it does present much biographical detail of King and much history of the movement. This audiobook attempts to present King's leadership principles, as well as his leadership style. Over thirty years after his death, most Americans likely remember King only for his inspiring oratory, but this work shows all the facets of his leadership. Phillips's reading is evenly paced, never dull, and pleasant to the ear. M.L.C. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

A wonderful book about a great leader
This book carries the reader through two threads of material simultaneously. One thread is designed to give a biographical, history of MLK, Jr. as a leader in the civil rights movement. The other thread is actually laid upon the first and it is a cataloguing of the various leadership styles and techniques which he displayed throughout his career. The book also supplies us with a wealth of meaningful quotes from Dr. King at the beginning and end of each chapter.

I would like to get beyond this somewhat systematic description of the book. I must say that I was deeply moved by the circumstances of this man's life, the obstacles which he had to overcome, the strength he showed in the face of real hatred and danger. It also struck me that Dr. king's life was terribly short and was lived not so long ago. Many of the struggles he fought are still afoot. We are still only in a process of change. I see that we cannot let down the cause of equality and pretend that all is changed and all is well. There is still a long way to go. The cause, however has been expanded to include the rights of women, the rights of the handicapped, the rights of asian minorities, the rights of gay and lesbians and others I do not recognize right now.

inspiring book on leadership
I picked up this book simply thinking it would be a great story about leadership, but the underlying history of Martin Luther King is riveting as well. The leadership stories translate well to business and personal leadership--they speak to (all) people wanting to be part of a higher, unifying mission. If you like to "mark-up" the margins with thoughts keep a pen handy for this one. Its a book I talked about with colleagues and family more than any other I've read.

Insightful!
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech was voted the most electrifying public address of the twentieth century. It takes some kind of a leader to give that kind of a speech. Donald T. Phillips presents the ideals of leadership that Martin Luther King Jr. followed in an overview of the history of the civil rights struggle. Phillips describes the techniques King used at various stages of the civil rights battle. He also shares King's comments on leadership. Many of the principles will be quite familiar: listen to learn, lead by being led, awaken direct action, encourage creativity and involve the people. However, the book is especially interesting when it demonstrates how King put these principles into practice. This well-organized, well-written book is clear, direct, and easy to read. While it is written for the general public (especially for African-Americans and those interested in civil rights), we [...] find this book interesting for all managers and executives, particularly those who like to learn the lessons of history.