Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year

The New York Times bestselling chronicle of the last twelve months of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life

The real story about Martin Luther King Jr.'s final year has been buried by time and revisionist history. In DEATH OF A KING, bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King's time on Earth, revealing his tribulations and trials— denunciations by the press, rejection by the president, dismissal by the black middle class, and assaults on his character.

Smiley conducted new interviews with King's family and associates, but he also wrote from a personal place, painting a vivid, narrative portrait. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King's world—adding both nuance and gravitas to his heroic legacy.