Chasing King's Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Assassin

Chasing King’s Killer (2018) by James L. Swanson tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic assassination. Known for his accounts of other American tragedies like Abraham Lincoln’s and John F. Kennedy’s assassinations, Swanson describes King’s rise to fame in the civil rights movement before turning to the escape of the murderer, James Earl Ray. Examining all the strange coincidences and twists of fate that brought Ray and King together, Swanson highlights how individuals can change history. He describes King’s assassination as part of the racist violence that plagued the civil rights movement and explores the lasting impact of King’s legacy on the United States. 

This guide uses the 2018 Scholastic Press Kindle edition of the text.

Content Warning: Chasing King’s Killer and this study guide make repeated references to racism and racially-motivated violence.

Summary

Chasing King’s Killer starts with a Prologue about the first assassination attempt on Martin Luther King Jr. In 1958, Izola Ware Curry stabbed King in the chest with a letter opener. Although he survived, the attack illustrated the dangers of being the public face of the civil rights movement. However, King reaffirmed his commitment to his work instead of backing down.

In the book’s first part, Swanson describes Martin Luther King’s life and role in the civil rights movement.