A former editor of ATLANTA magazine has written a fascinating bit of microhistory about the death and burial of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how Atlanta handled it (quite well, all things considered.) Both the Black and white Establishments in Atlanta cooperated to support the King family, keep the city from erupting in the riots that marred other cities' mourning, and to honor a native son. Burns has done a lot of research and although I lived through this period (not in Atlanta) I learned a lot of things I hadn't known about what went on.

Reading this book brought back a lot of memories, of how jubilation at Lyndon Johnson's announcement that he would not run for President again turned to shock and sorrow just a few days later. Morris Abram, President of Brandeis during some of my time there, is referenced in the book, along with many other familiar names from those times. However, the book is also detailed enough that those who did not live through the 60s could read it without too much confusion. It's a fairly quick read and well worth spending a couple of hours with. Recommended. ( )

This book was soul stirring. The author has you walking along side as the minutes and days unfold once Martin Luther was shot. So many parallel items were going on at that time. Vietnam, presidental election, race relations, all were muted as a result of the shooting. This is a oral history mixed in with fact on a little known section of the Civil Rights Movement. As the date gets closer to the funeral, you realize the major shift and impact his deathhad on so many people. What enchanced the story even more was unpublished photos of the week of the funeral. And how life went on in the civil rights movement after the funeral. It is incredible how one funeral immpacted someone so profoundly that their impact still has a effect on African Americans today. I am thrilled that this book was written. I wish I could shout from a mountain top and tell everyone to read this book. ( )