I just finished the audiobook version. Each speech and sermon is the recording of the actual one given. I can't begin to describe how moving and uplifting Dr King's words are. This is simply one of the best books I have ever heard or read. Raise your spirit by listening to Dr King.
Personally, I am so glad that he made it to the mountaintop. ( )

Inspiring and suitably named collection. King was such a powerful orator that even reading his words can give you an idea of his fierce dedication to civil rights. The speeches in his book naturally share common themes (and often draw on certain Biblical metaphors time and again), but also addressed the specific issues of each situation -- fighting for the vote, urging nonviolence, eulogizing the four girls killed in a Birmingham church bombing, advocating the end of the Vietnam War. The intros to each piece give some context, but really the selections stand well on their own, and are worthwhile reading for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, or any time one needs to be reminded of the struggles of that era ... and how much farther we have to go. ( )

You can read about Dr. MLK's landmark speeches but how much more dynamic it is to hear them. I picked this up to hear the "I Have a Dream" speech on the 50th anniversary but couldn't tell which track it was so I listened to the whole thing. It was interesting to hear "Dream" phrasing in his earlier speeches ("I have a dream" was presented months before in Detroit) as well as hear his preacherly cadence and pacing of his speech. (He starts out sleepy-slow and ever so slowly winds the crank to full-on righteousness.) The audio production isn't studio quality but there wouldn't be that MLK dynamism in the studio either. Also featured are civil rights luminaries reading essays that preface each speech. ( )

The speeches are great! But his most famous speech wasn't even in the compilation! ( )

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Powerful speeches from Dr. King. Not always the best sound quality. ( )