Voice of Deliverance: The Language of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Its Sources
Miller (English, Arizona State) has written a complex, convincing analysis of the sources of King's major sermons and public works. In brief, Miller argues that King borrowed ideas, patterns, words, even whole paragraphs from two main sources: white Protestant ministers' radio sermons and the traditions of the African American folk pulpit. King melded these "borrowings" into consistently powerful sermons for social change. To Miller, this was not plagiarism, but perfectly consistent with the American homiletic tradition. King's ability to reshape old works was his greatest rhetorical strength. Miller's study provides a fascinating counterpoint to recent attacks on King's originality. It is highly recommended for all major libraries.- A.O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.