Nobody Turn Me Around: A People's History of the 1963 March on Washington

The 1963 March on Washington is an iconic moment in American history. During the busiest year of the civil rights movement -- after the spring protests in Birmingham, there were more than 2,000 demonstrations across the U.S. -- the March brought together as many as half a million people to speak out for civil rights and economic opportunity. It was the only time that all civil rights organizations worked together on a major project. The March was capped by martin Luther King's stirring "I Have a Dream" oration, now considered the greatest speech of the twentieth century.

Now, for the first time, Charles Euchner presents the inside story of the March -- with intimate portraits of Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King
and John Lewis ... the behind-the-scenes battles over the organizing efforts ... the stories of the ordinary people who journeyed hundreds and even thousands of miles ... the backstories of protests in the old Confederacy and in the cities of the North ... the role of music in the movement ... and more.

"Nobody Turn Me Around: A People's History of the 1963 March on Washington" (Beacon Press, June 30, 2010) offers a vivid narrative of the civil rights movement at its peak.

In "Nobody Turn Me Around," get an insider's view of Martin Luther King writing his iconic speech ... the threat of Catholic bishops to bolt the March ... Bayard Rustin's masterful organizing . . . President Kennedy's evolution on civil rights ... the powerful impact of Dr. King's speech on the throng of 250,000 ... the splits in the movement over philosophy and tactics ... and more.

Kirkus Reviews, in its starred review, raves: "Charles Euchner masterfully paints what he calls a 'pointillist portrait' of the March on Washington. Drawing from interviews and diligent research, the author not only provides humanizing portraits of the major figures—including King, activist Bayard Rustin and march organizer A. Philip Randolph—he also effectively portrays ordinary marchers, both black and white. ... Most impressive is Euchners amazing economy in telling this story; in just over 200 pages, he provides a wholly satisfying, comprehensive view of the March. A sharp, riveting depiction of what Martin Luther King called the greatest demonstration for freedom in the nations history.

Order "Nobody Turn Me Around" today. Ideal for reading groups, school summer reading lists, college first-year programs and orientation weeks, "Nobody Turn Me Around" provides a powerful view into the moment when all of the forces of civil rights came together and changed history.

Full of drama, "Nobody Turn Me Around" avoids sentimentality in telling the story of America at its greatest moment of triumph. It is, as "The Eyes of Willie McGee" author Alex Heard raves, "vivid storytelling at its best."

For more information, go to www.nobodyturnmearound.com. For information on booking Charles Euchner as a speaker, write euchner@gmail.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Martin Luther King
• A. Philip Randolph
• Bayard Rustin
• Charles Euchner
• the March on Washington
• civil rights
• demonstrations
• nonviolence
• politics educational

[jimmyc67]

Truly an uplifting time that benefitted us all. Martin Luther King's inspirational speech gives me chills everytime I hear it. He was a follower of the teachings of Ghandi. Malcolm C learned the same thing after his trip to Mecca. I can only imagine how much better this world would have been if boyh men had not been assassinated. We need only look to recent history and see that Nelson Madela was a man with the same vision.

[TheWritingCode]

@jimmyc67 Thanks for the comment. When working on "Nobody Turn Me Around," I was often overwhelmed by just how much these people sacrificed for people like me and you. Consider getting the book. The stories are really powerful.

[chenarch]

Wow, that's very moving... I can't wait to buy the book. When will the book be out?