Early printing of King's first book, a memoir of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and an extended argument for the nonviolent philosophy that defined the Civil Rights Movement — inscribed at length in the year of publication by King's lieutenant, Ralph Abernathy.
Very good plus in very good plus jacket.
Price: $1,800.00
"Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all [...] It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love."
Appearing shortly after the successful 13-month protest led by King and sparked by Rosa Park's arrest, "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM [...] delineates racial conditions in Montgomery before, during, and after the bus boycott. [King] discusses the origin and significance of the boycott, the roles that residents, civic leaders, and community organizations played in organizing and sustaining the movement, and the reactions of white Montgomery officials and residents" (MLK Institute, Stanford).
This copy is inscribed by King's fellow Civil Rights leader and minister Ralph Abernathy to Richard Winters, then dean of admissions at Franklin and Marshall College. Abernathy was one of Dr. King's closest advisors and collaborated with him to found the Montgomery Improvement Association, which in turn was the driving force behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Abernathy inscribed the book at his Montgomery home, which only the year before had been bombed in the wake of the boycott (he and his family only just escaping). A poignant document in the fight for freedom and equality in the US.
First edition. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, (1958). 8'' x 5.5''. Original quarter black cloth over blue cloth. In original unclipped ($2.95) color pictorial jacket. 230, [2] pages. Printing code "I-H." Inscribed by Ralph Abernathy on the front free endpaper: "To: Dean Winters / In sincere appreciation for / the excellent work you are / doing in making Freedom / available to all men — / Ralph David Abernathy / Montgomery, Alabama / 10-31-58 / [line] / 1327 S. Hall St." Jacket spine sunned, some soiling to rear panel, touches of edgewear, rubbing. Minor shelfsoil to book edges. Overall, sound.
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