53 pages • 1 hour read
Walking with the Wind
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Book Brief
Walking with the Wind
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1998544
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 1960s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Walking with the Wind by John Lewis and Mike D'Orso, is a memoir charting Lewis's journey from a child of sharecroppers in segregated Pike County, Alabama, to becoming a key leader in the US Civil Rights Movement. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis became involved in nonviolent protests, Freedom Rides, and eventually chaired the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. His activism culminated in the historic Selma marches and a lifelong political career, emphasizing the enduring power of nonviolence and justice. The memoir discusses racial violence and the assassination of key figures in the movement.
Inspirational
Emotional
Hopeful
Heartwarming
Informative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Walking with the Wind by John Lewis and Mike D'Orso receives widespread acclaim for its poignant and inspiring recounting of the Civil Rights Movement, capturing both personal and collective struggle. Readers admire Lewis’s compelling narrative and moral integrity, though some find the detailed historical context dense. It's an illuminating read on social justice. MLA
Who Should Read Walking with the Wind?
Ideal for those captivated by autobiographies, civil rights history, and social justice, readers of Walking with the Wind by John Lewis and Mike D'Orso will appreciate its depth and firsthand insights. Fans of The Autobiography of Malcolm X or Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch will find this work similarly compelling.
Michael D’Orso
Michael D’Orso
An American author and journalist known for his narrative nonfiction books on social justice and politics, who collaborated with John Lewis on his memoir, which garnered several awards.
Reverend Ralph David Abernathy
Reverend Ralph David Abernathy
A close confidant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and pastor in Montgomery, he was a formidable figure in the CRM and intersected paths with Lewis in numerous civil rights events.
James Bevel
James Bevel
A charismatic preacher and activist who influenced John Lewis’s dedication to nonviolence; he was heavily involved in organizing key CRM actions, including the Nashville sit-ins and the Freedom Rides.
Julian Bond
Julian Bond
Leader of SNCC’s Atlanta branch and a close, though occasionally rival, ally of Lewis, known for his eloquence and efforts to encourage voter registration in the South.
Stokely Carmichael
Stokely Carmichael
An influential and polarizing figure in the CRM, known for his radical views that contrasted with Lewis’s nonviolent stance, and who became SNCC chairman in 1966.
Bull Connor
Bull Connor
The segregationist police commissioner in Montgomery infamous for his aggressive tactics against civil rights activists, including John Lewis, during desegregation protests.
James Farmer
James Farmer
A founder of CORE and a key strategist behind the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington, recognized as one of the “Big Six” leaders alongside Lewis in the CRM.
Fred Gray
Fred Gray
A civil rights attorney from Montgomery reputed for representing key figures like Rosa Parks and Dr. King and later becoming one of the first Black Alabama legislators.
Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer
A passionate activist from Mississippi known for her role in Freedom Summer and her powerful speeches, especially at the National Democratic Convention.
President Lyndon B. Johnson
President Lyndon B. Johnson
The U.S. President from 1963-1969 whose administration passed significant civil rights legislation but sometimes lacked full alignment with CRM goals.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A central leader of the CRM and a profound influence on John Lewis, offering inspiration and friendship through his advocacy for nonviolence and justice.
Eddie and Willie Mae Lewis
Eddie and Willie Mae Lewis
John Lewis’s parents, with Eddie being a pioneering Black landowner in Pike County and Willie Mae providing Lewis with the resilience needed to lead in the CRM.
James Lawson
James Lawson
An advisor who greatly impacted John Lewis with his teachings on nonviolence, guiding the Nashville Student Movement and Lewis's CRM engagement.
Diane Nash
Diane Nash
A leader among Nashville students, noted for her organizing skills in protests like the sit-ins and Freedom Rides, challenging both local and CRM leadership for civil rights progress.
544
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 1960s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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