first edition
by King, Martin Luther
[African American][Civil Rights][MLK] King, Martin Luther, Jr. Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1958. First edition. Original blue binding with black spine, in publisher’s dust jacket featuring red, white, and blue panels with a photograph of King. Stride Toward Freedom is the first book published by Martin Luther King, at just 29 years old. The book offers a firsthand account of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the origins of the modern Civil Rights Movement. It remains one of the foundational texts of 20th-century American history and nonviolent resistance. With deeply personal and eloquent prose, King recounts his move to Montgomery in 1954, the arrest of Rosa Parks in December 1955, and the 381-day boycott that followed, led by the newly formed Montgomery Improvement Association. The narrative balances urgent political analysis with theological reflection, portraying nonviolence not only as a strategy but as a spiritual philosophy rooted in Christian ethics and Gandhian principles. Chapters such as “Pilgrimage to Nonviolence” and “Where Do We Go From Here?” reveal the development of King’s leadership and vision, while others, like “The Day of Days, December 5” and “The Violence of Desperate Men”, detail the personal risks and community solidarity behind the movement’s success. King’s voice, at once measured and prophetic, centers the lived experiences of African Americans in Alabama while situating their struggle within a global pursuit of human rights. The book includes two photo sections and is prefaced with strong endorsements from leaders like Benjamin Mays and Ralph McGill, underscoring its historical importance even upon publication. Dust jacket with moderate chipping at spine ends and corners, short closed tears, and toning to rear panel; binding firm with some toning to endpapers, interior clean. Very good condition in good only dust jacket. Stride Toward Freedom is not only King’s literary debut but also a touchstone in American political and religious thought. (Inventory #: 22179)
(818) 224-4555
