They Had A Dream by Jules Archer {Book Promotion}

Cynthia received a copy of They Had a Dream in exchange for this book promotion. Any opinions expressed here are honest and her own.

The majority of the civil rights movement in the United States occurred in three stages. The first stage began with the slaves in America fighting for their freedom. Frederick Douglass was a key player from the very beginning. Born a slave, Douglass escaped and went on to become one of the most respected abolitionist leaders.

After the Civil War, freed slaves fought to overcome the still-prevailing prejudice and persecution. During this phase, Marcus Garvey led the Back to Africa movement, promoting Black Nationalism and black pride among the newly freed people.

And in the 1960s, a strong civil rights movement branched in two different directions. The first was headed by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who organized a powerful nonviolent civil disobedience movement to win equal rights through integration. Following a very different path, Malcolm X sought equal rights for blacks through violent confrontation and racial separation.

Together, these four men shaped the American civil rights movement. Racism is still a very relevant problem in our country today, and to better understand where we are now and how to make progress in the future, we must first understand where we’ve come from.

They Had a Dream : The Struggles of Four of the Most Influential Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, from Frederick Douglass to Marcus Garvey to Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X by Jules Archer is a middle school history read for ages 12+ or grades 6+. This hardcover in an educational non-fiction that is jammed packed with so many stories and tidbits about the civil rights movement.

During reading this book, I was personally reminded and amazed once again in the determination and pursuit of civil rights and how slaves fought to overcome the prevailing daily prejudice and persecution. This book highlights the lives of four important men WHO fought for freedom and equality all in different ways. Each man’s way was key for civil rights to be where they are now. They all had strengths and weaknesses….but HUGE determination. Some were aggressive in their stature and others used more of a peaceful fight.

They Had a Dream : The Struggles of Four of the Most Influential Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, from Frederick Douglass to Marcus Garvey to Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X is perfect for young history buffs and parents wanting to educate their kids on important topics. This hardcover can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author

Jules Archer was one of the most respected names in nonfiction for young people. During his lifetime he published over seventy books, which have been translated into twelve languages throughout the world. He lived in Scotts Valley, California, until his death in 2008.