Like many Americans, John Lewis’ casket coming across the Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 2020 evoked tears in me. He was one of the last great leaders of the 1960s civil rights movement to die. With the Black Lives Matter movement in the streets, the baton had been passed to a new generation. I grew up a white Republican in conservative South Carolina and did not knew who John Lewis was until much later in life. I’ve learned to appreciate him deeply and have studied his life in detail through books. I’m glad to add this book to my list. In fact, I continually slowed myself down during the last two chapters because I had to read through tears of appreciation for this great man. I wanted to proceed – such was the strength of David Greenberg’s portrayal – but I also wanted my heart to continue to explore the depths of Lewis’ character. I wanted to carry it into my life today.
This book attempts to create the first great posthumous biography of Lewis’ life. It wants to become “the book” to go to on his life for future historians to plum through. For what my vote is worth, I think it succeeds. Although Lewis’ life was surrounded by politics, its portrayal is relatively balanced and even praises Lewis’ opponents at times. Thus, it avoids potential pitfalls of petty partisanship that make it a reliable account of Lewis’ deep character. I’m grateful for the author’s work and for the many collaborations that made this work possible. I hope it will prove a market success while preserving critical history for the ages.
As long as people struggle against bigotry’s ignorance, the spirit of John Lewis will live on. As long as the paths of nonviolence and love receive priority over raw power, the spirit of John Lewis will triumph. His life deserves 700 pages to chronicle it, and though the time investment is heavy, readers’ spirits will benefit from collaborating with John’s spirit. I could feel his personality – his humor, his dancing, his resolution, his decency – coming through the pages as I sought to learn from his strength. His vision of the “beloved community,” now sadly fading in America’s consciousness, will continue as long as people read this book and those like it.
This book should receive a large, diverse audience among thoughtful citizens. I hope young people, disillusioned with the shortsightedness of some current political leaders, will take the time to read it. I hope college classes and church groups will take the opportunity to meditate on his magnanimity. In a world that seems to quickly diverge instead of converge, I hope this book offers a vision of unity and common humanity that John Lewis represented. And I hope more people will be moved to tears like me because that means that John’s life will continue to teach us all.
John Lewis: A Life
By David Greenberg
Copyright (c) 2024
Publication scheduled for October 8, 2024
Simon & Schuster
ISBN13 9781982142995
Page Count: 704
Genre: Biography
www.amazon.com