John Lewis

A Life

By: David Greenberg

Narrated by: David Sadzin

A comprehensive, authoritative biography of Civil Rights icon John Lewis, “the conscience of the Congress,” drawing on interviews with Lewis and approximately 275 others who knew him at various stages of his life, as well as never-before-used FBI files and documents.

Born into poverty in rural Alabama, Lewis would become second only to Martin Luther King, Jr. in his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. He was a Freedom Rider who helped to integrate bus stations in the South, a leader of the Nashville sit-in movement, the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington, and the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which he made into one of the major civil rights organizations. He may be best remembered as the victim of a vicious beating by Alabama state troopers at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he nearly died.

Greenberg’s biography traces Lewis’s life through the post-Civil Rights years, when he headed the Voter Education Project, which enrolled millions of African American voters across the South. The book reveals the little-known story of his political ascent first locally in Atlanta, and then as a member of Congress. Tapped to be a part of the Democratic leadership in Congress, he earned respect on both sides of the aisle for the sacrifices he had made on behalf of nonviolent integration in the South and came to be known as the “conscience of the Congress.”

Thoroughly researched and dramatically told, Greenberg’s biography captures John Lewis’s influential career through documents from dozens of archives, interviews with hundreds of people who knew Lewis, and long-lost footage of Lewis himself speaking to reporters from his hospital bed following his severe beating on “Bloody Sunday” in Selma. With new details about his personal and professional relationships, John Lewis: A Life is the definitive biography of a man whose heroism during the Civil Rights movement helped to bring America a new birth of freedom.

©2024 David Greenberg (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

The details of history...Amazing!!!

I loved everything about this book? The life of a true hero was telling and educational.

OUTSTANDING BIOGRAPHY!

After reading this masterful account of John Lewis' life, I felt like I knew him. The author beautifully conveyed the commitment of Mr. Lewis to the civil rights movement as one with a sole purpose to create an inclusive benevolent country. Mr. Lewis' courage in harrowing situations ie. jailed and beaten, yet remaining non-violent and forgiving, was remarkable. This book has an optimistic tone as it denotes progress concerning integration and voting rights. I'm so impressed to read that Mr. Lewis was a regular person, but also known as purist leader and the 'conscious' of Congress and other civil organizations that uplift people. I also enjoyed reading about his family and other famous civil rights associates. From reading this account, I can now understand how three presidents viewed him as a very close friend. This book is well written and easy to absorb that I just want to keep reading about this incredible man. Truly a masterpiece.

Reflections of a great man!

Having always had such a high level of admiration for Mr. Lewis, this biography delivered on all levels!

Lewis’s indomitable spirit and detractors. He is someone every child and adult should read.

Loved learning the details of his life! Greenberg did a good job exploring multiple facets of his life. I would appreciate a PDC with photos and