Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir

by Dexter Scott King and Ralph Wiley

Book Overview

Dexter King was just seven years old when an assassin took his father Martin Luther King's life. The bond between father and son was a close one and for years afterwards Dexter was haunted by a memory of himself and his dad riding their bikes through Atlanta's streets and by his father's laugh as he romped with his family. Dexter tried to find courage in his father's example of selfless heroism but as his shattered childhood ripened into adolescence...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446529427
• ISBN13: 9780446529426
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

F FOR FANTASTIC

I absolutely loved this book. I read it awhile back and it was a well written book. It's a very moving and lovely story about ML KING JRS second son growing up, and it also tells about his family and the King Center. I rate it 5 stars since it is such a fantastic book. A must read for ML KING JR fans. For those of you who would like a good book about ML KING JRS family, and the King Center, this is a must have.

Finally their side of the story

I read this book by Dexter King, but I have also read Growing Up X. There were some similarities between both books, but there were some differences also. I had heard some of the rumors and speculation about the King family trying to milk Dr. King's legacy in the monetary sense. However, Dexter does a good job of clearing things up about how much time and money is spent protecting his father's legacy due to the fact that some individuals and corporations believe and/or assume that Dr. Kings' speeches and papers are public property and can use them for monetary profit. I agree whole heartly with the King family in protecting their father's legacy including all of his speeches and writings. The thing that stood out the most to me pertaining to this issue was that we as blacks in America discount great black thinkers, intellectuals and people who take a stance in the black community. We have a belief that our black intellects work such Dr King, Malcolm X and Medgar Evers is not as valuable as compared to that of their white counter parts such as Nixon, Kennedy or Bush. Dexter King also gives us some insight into how he grew up near housing projects in Vine City, attended a exclusive private school then public high school, and life at Morehouse. I had no ideal that Dexter's mother currently lives in Vine City, because gossips have always said she was living in a huge mansion in Buckhead. Next Dexter talks about his love life, but never gives any names but calls one serious girlfriend "Mon Ami." I would recommend this book to anyone trying to find out more about the King family.

This is a terrific book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Growing Up King." This is aterrific book. Not only is this book required reading for any student of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it also bringsinsights how the King Center in Atlanta is run while main-taining its mission to spread the teachings of Dr King. Thereare lessons here for any well-intentioned organization.This book is clearly written by subject and most of the subjectsoverlap chronologically. Thank you, Dexter King!

Coming out of the Box!

PREFACE: THIS BOOK GOES TO SHOW THAT MY GOD CAN DO ANYTHING!!! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Dexter Scott King share his unique story with the world. Hearing his story has been therapeutic and has re-emphasized that there is healing in positive expression of the past struggles and/or tragedies. I now have the desire to be more transparent and discuss my struggles because they are common to man and the blessing is not only for me but for others who have or have had similar struggles. I am convinced that Mr. King encouraged himself with this story and that it will be even more therapeutic for him. It is truly amazing how he captured the many historial facts surrounding his father Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. It is my belief that this book would be a great asset for History lessons taught in U.S. schools on Civil Rights. This book speaks volumes to one's intellect or ignorance and causes one to have a paradigm shift and begin to apply Dr. King's teaching of social nonviolence. I learned about passion, being sold out to your mission in life while still maintaining a balanced life, not allowing your past to determine your future, copyright laws, the film industry, love, social and racial equality, and how we must not be afraid to tell the truth despite of the myths that have been spread abroad. DEXTER SCOTT KING IS COMING OUT OF THE BOX THAT SOCIETY HAS PLACED HIM AND THE KING FAMILY IN AND IS READY TO STEP INTO THE NEXT SEASON OF HIS LIFE!!! WATCH OUT LADIES, HERE HE COMES!!!Also recommended: "Too Blessed to be Stressed" by Dr.Suzan Johnson Cook "Managing Your Emotions: Instead of Your Emotions Managing You" by Joyce Meyer

Alone in the Garden

This is a book to first read in a sweet southern garden alone while dew is still on the roses, irises & peachblossoms. Surrounded by the delicate gifts of an Almighty Creator, protected and ensconsed by the angelic scents, comforted by the tender and gentle caress of quiet nature - the real gift of this author's honesty, humility and heavensent humor will awaken even the most cynical sleeping dog who may have become somewhat complacent in the mission of true and enduring freedom! Softly and gentlemanly, Mr. Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr & Mrs. Coretta Scott King, unfolds a simply detailed and selectively recorded easy-to-read history lesson from his unique prospective. No incident is too dramatic for him to avoid, and no challenge is too deep for him to leave unconfronted. Never mind the seemingly burdensome cloak that may have caused him to sleep away many hours, the uplifting mantle of "unconditional" acceptance and "abundant" grace with which one of the heirs of The Civil Rights Movement covers an era in time is a treasure to be read and appreciated by every American, every human, every individual interested in contributing to FREEDOM! The second reading should be shared.