An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America

By Andrew Young and Andrew Young

Book Overview

Andrew Young is one of the most important figures of the U.S. civil rights movement and one of America's best-known African American leaders. Working closely with Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he endured beatings and arrests while participating in seminal civil rights campaigns. In 1964, he became Executive Director of the SCLC, serving with King during a time of great accomplishment and turmoil. In describing his life through his election to Congress in 1972, this memoir provides revelatory, riveting reading. Young's analysis of the connection between racism, poverty, and a militarized economy will resonate with particular relevance for readers today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1602580731
• ISBN13: 9781602580732
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Baylor University Press
• Length: 582 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

James Key, Author of "Touch-and-Go"

I really enjoyed reading "An Easy Burden." It is a beautifully written inspirational story that describes the trials and triumphs of those who fought against injustice during the Civil Rights Movement. Andrew Young takes the reader back to a very dark period in American History. He reminds the reader that ordinary people did extra-ordinary things to make our country a better place to live. Andy Young's close relationship to Dr. Martin L. King gives his voice both credibility and authenticity. I hope young people of every nationality read this book. The journey will be both a blessing and a wonderful educational experience. - Dr. James Key, Author of "Touch-and-Go."

Stirring account of the civil rights movement!

Heard AN EASY BURDEN, written and read by Andrew Young--an early adviser and colleague of Martin Luther King who went to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, among other things. The book provides a stirring account of the civil rights movement, starting in the 1950s . . . it got me thinking about the role not only played by both King and Young, but by many other leaders of the time . . . in addition, it gave me a different perspective on how hard this must have been; i.e., to fight for change without being violent. The author is quite candid in his views . . . just has been the case throughout his life, he is not afraid to mince words (or opinions) and while some may disagree with what he says or the way he says it, you will gain an increasing respect for the man if you read AN EASY BURDEN. I especially enjoyed the ending: Everything I know now convinces me that the struggle to eliminate racism, war and poverty is a burden, but in America, with all the freedom and opportunity afforded us under our constitution--in the most productive society in human history--it is an easy burden if we undertake it together.

This book rules!

An Uneasy Burden is a wonderful read. One major reason is that this autobiography is not about self praise or telling a one dimensional story. I usually do not care for most autobiographies. Young is very honest and candid, often critical of himself and some events or occurences within the Civil Rights Movement. I really liked the spiritual themes that were so present within this book, "My Yoke is easy and my burden is light," and "For unto whomsoever much is given of them much will be required." If you are searching for purpose and growth within your life I highly reccomend this account from Young. This book made me think long and hard about what direction and what I can do for others who are in need or are hurting. One of the most interesting things is Young's dramatic account of the march in St. Augustine and Selma. I do not agree with all of Young's politics but I have really found him to be an inspirational and genuine person. Andrew Young was a man searching for purpose, and he found purpose in life. He has a lot of spiritual insight and delivers it in an authentic narrative.

Interesting once you get past the first section

Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta and official in the Carter White House, details his time as an assistant to Martin Luther King Jr. in this work. After some semi-interesting biographical background, we get a good view of the inside of the civil rights movement. Young shows all the conflicts within the movement and the spiritual values that kept it going in face of adversity. A very fine work on the topic for those of us who were not alive during the movement and also showing how hard it truly was on those involved. It truly made me realize how difficult it is to stand up peacefully when met with violence and oppression - numerous times I thought how poorly I would have reacted to such violence. For those who call King soft, nonintellectual, conformist, attention-seeking or weak, this book should dispel those myths.