How Martin Luther King Jr. Used Political Strategy

This book, written by Juan Williams and introduced by Julian Bond, is a detailed account of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from 1954 to 1965. It covers significant events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the murder of Emmett Till, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The narrative includes personal anecdotes and interviews with participants, providing a rich and nuanced view of the movement's struggles and triumphs. The book serves as a companion to the PBS documentary series of the same name and offers a compelling overview of the period, emphasizing the courage and resilience of both famous and ordinary individuals who fought for civil rights.

In 'Civil Disobedience', Thoreau argues that individuals should prioritize their conscience over the dictates of laws. He criticizes American social institutions and policies, particularly slavery and the Mexican-American War. Thoreau contends that government derives its power from the majority rather than from legitimate viewpoints and that people should refuse to follow unjust laws. He recounts his own acts of civil disobedience, including refusing to pay taxes and spending a night in jail, as a model for moral resistance against oppressive laws. Thoreau emphasizes the importance of accepting the consequences of such actions and argues that true reform cannot come from within the government but through individual acts of defiance.