Rating: 
Summary: An exellent chronology of key events and courageousness
Review: Lewis' book is a simple yet detailed account of the civil rights movement, including analyses of the organizational politics among civil rights groups, the movement's relationships with three presidential administrations, and the personalities of key players who went on to positions of national and regional prominence. John Lewis is a remarkable and courageous man.
Rating:
Summary: A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE LITERATURE
Review: Provides a valuable case study on the history of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.
Rating:
Summary: What a story! What a human being!
Review: Still touching the souls of those who know the world is their oyster, John Lewis is my twelve year old daughter's hero. Can you believe that?!! She picked the book up from my nightstand and hasn't put it down yet. She told me today that the message in Lewis' agreeing to give a more moderate speech than he had initially planned to give at the 1963 March on Washington is to stay focused, to "keep your eyes on the prize!" This is a "must read" for all of us. (By the way, is Lewis the only one of the major speakers at the 1963 March on Washington who is still alive?)
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating story full of strength and triumph
Review: The following is my review of the hardcover from the CNN website. "Walking With the Wind" holds up even better today. This is a must-read for those who are interested in the brave women and men who worked behind the scenes in the Civil Rights struggle.Walking With the Wind by John Lewis
Review by Robert Nebel (CNN) -- As a child, Georgia congressman John Lewis knew he was the "different seed" from the rest of his cotton farming family in 1940's Troy, Alabama. Like the orderly rows of cotton plants on the farm, Lewis felt his parents and siblings all too often "fell in line" and easily accepted the harsh Jim Crow segregation laws of the South. Even as a young boy, Lewis knew that he had to be the one to fall out of that orderly line and challenge the system -- a system that he felt kept those in his family and race from achieving their full potential. Little did Lewis know that by being "the different seed" he would one day be at the forefront of changing America's attitude toward race relations. That theme plays throughout Lewis' autobiography, "Walking With The Wind". Lewis starts out recounting a childhood filled with painful memories of separation, discrimination, degradation and isolation. Pages upon pages vividly describe separate facilities for African-Americans; violence against African-Americans; and southern legislators who were in cahoots with law enforcement officials who covered up countless wrongs against African-Americans. Going against the advice of his parents, Lewis embarked on a journey of challenging Jim Crow laws and later, attitudes through non-violent protest. The peaceful protest ideas sprouted and came to fruition for Lewis when he was a student in Nashville during the 1950's. It was there where he applied the teachings of Ghandi and his mentor, Martin Luther King Jr., to his life of non-violence including sit-ins and marches. It was only fitting that Lewis joined the civil rights movement soon after the Brown versus the Board of Education Supreme Court decision that tore down the Jim Crow laws. Unfortunately, many Southern states refused to comply with this federal mandate. That was where Lewis' true work began -- by joining and later becoming chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. What sets "Walking With The Wind" apart from other civil rights stories is that it is not a rehash of the lives of the famous black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson. This book brings the unsung heroes to the forefront of the Freedom Rides, Selma's Bloody Sunday, the 1963 March on Washington, and the voter registrations drives in Mississippi. Names such as Diane Nash of the SNCC, and Fannie Lou Hamer in Mississippi, are just a few of the African-Americans who put their lives on the line to guarantee future generations of minorities basic human rights. What happened behind the scenes at the SNCC and the movement is the heart and soul of the book. While the students struggled with police brutality from the likes of Bull Connor in Alabama, there were ideological struggles between Lewis and his opposite, Stokely Carmichael. While Lewis was steeped in non-violence, Carmichael stirred up aggressive passions among the members. It was that internal struggle that came to a head and split Lewis away from the group. While the post-1968 years in Lewis' autobiography are at times depressing, Lewis optimistically reminds readers that it was the SNCC's work that paved the way for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voter's Rights Act. What is even more inspiring is Lewis' rise into the political arena. It is truly amazing to read how Lewis came up through the ranks in city politics to his present position representing the fifth district in Georgia. Lewis still marches to his own beat as a legislator and is still a "different seed" in Congress. He opposed the Gulf War, welfare reform and the death penalty -- quite a split from the present administration. "Walking With The Wind" should be an inspiration for any of today's youth who feel if society is short-changing them. The sit-ins, demonstrations and marches that Lewis participated in showed courage and honor that is absent in present times. ...
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating story full of strength and triumph
Review: The following is my review of the hardcover from the CNN website. "Walking With the Wind" holds up even better today. This is a must-read for those who are interested in the brave women and men who worked behind the scenes in the Civil Rights struggle. Walking With the Wind by John Lewis
Review by Robert Nebel (CNN) -- As a child, Georgia congressman John Lewis knew he was the "different seed" from the rest of his cotton farming family in 1940's Troy, Alabama. Like the orderly rows of cotton plants on the farm, Lewis felt his parents and siblings all too often "fell in line" and easily accepted the harsh Jim Crow segregation laws of the South. Even as a young boy, Lewis knew that he had to be the one to fall out of that orderly line and challenge the system -- a system that he felt kept those in his family and race from achieving their full potential. Little did Lewis know that by being "the different seed" he would one day be at the forefront of changing America's attitude toward race relations. That theme plays throughout Lewis' autobiography, "Walking With The Wind". Lewis starts out recounting a childhood filled with painful memories of separation, discrimination, degradation and isolation. Pages upon pages vividly describe separate facilities for African-Americans; violence against African-Americans; and southern legislators who were in cahoots with law enforcement officials who covered up countless wrongs against African-Americans. Going against the advice of his parents, Lewis embarked on a journey of challenging Jim Crow laws and later, attitudes through non-violent protest. The peaceful protest ideas sprouted and came to fruition for Lewis when he was a student in Nashville during the 1950's. It was there where he applied the teachings of Ghandi and his mentor, Martin Luther King Jr., to his life of non-violence including sit-ins and marches. It was only fitting that Lewis joined the civil rights movement soon after the Brown versus the Board of Education Supreme Court decision that tore down the Jim Crow laws. Unfortunately, many Southern states refused to comply with this federal mandate. That was where Lewis' true work began -- by joining and later becoming chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. What sets "Walking With The Wind" apart from other civil rights stories is that it is not a rehash of the lives of the famous black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson. This book brings the unsung heroes to the forefront of the Freedom Rides, Selma's Bloody Sunday, the 1963 March on Washington, and the voter registrations drives in Mississippi. Names such as Diane Nash of the SNCC, and Fannie Lou Hamer in Mississippi, are just a few of the African-Americans who put their lives on the line to guarantee future generations of minorities basic human rights. What happened behind the scenes at the SNCC and the movement is the heart and soul of the book. While the students struggled with police brutality from the likes of Bull Connor in Alabama, there were ideological struggles between Lewis and his opposite, Stokely Carmichael. While Lewis was steeped in non-violence, Carmichael stirred up aggressive passions among the members. It was that internal struggle that came to a head and split Lewis away from the group. While the post-1968 years in Lewis' autobiography are at times depressing, Lewis optimistically reminds readers that it was the SNCC's work that paved the way for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voter's Rights Act. What is even more inspiring is Lewis' rise into the political arena. It is truly amazing to read how Lewis came up through the ranks in city politics to his present position representing the fifth district in Georgia. Lewis still marches to his own beat as a legislator and is still a "different seed" in Congress. He opposed the Gulf War, welfare reform and the death penalty -- quite a split from the present administration. "Walking With The Wind" should be an inspiration for any of today's youth who feel if society is short-changing them. The sit-ins, demonstrations and marches that Lewis participated in showed courage and honor that is absent in present times. ...
Rating:
Summary: A must read. A vivid portrayal of an American Hero.
Review: This is a must read for ALL ...black and white...young and old. Congressman Lewis tells a moving story of the civil rights movement. He also tells the American story. How a poor black child born in rural Alabama, who preached to the chickens, now dines with Heads of State, and is a Members of the United States Congress. "Walking With the Wind" should be required reading in every American History Class - and not just during Black History Month. John Lewis is truly an American Hero.
Rating:
Summary: A real American hero.
Review: This is a very moving story of both a man and an era. From his earliest years in the Civil Rights Movement to his work in Congress today, Lewis embodies courage, truth and steadfastness. There is such hope in his vision of the Beloved Community, even after so much tragedy and sorrow. What a contrast to the likes of George W. Bush and Al gore, our two "leading" candidates for President in 2000.
Rating:
Summary: Making Sense of Our Times
Review: This title is currently being recommended by the McLaughlin Group, the award winning public affairs televison program.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary account of the Civil Rights Movement!
Review: This work is a well written account of one of the most tumultous times America has seen this century. Its vivid descriptions of the many facets of the Civil Rights Movement take you through the mundane and the monumental, and make you feel as though you are there. Through the touching recollections of his family, and the friendships that he made during the Movement, this compelling book gives insight to what makes John Lewis one of America's living legends.
Rating:
Summary: A great American triumph
Review: Uplifting. Eloquent. Brilliant. Inspiring. Patriotic. John Lewis' life story is the story of a genuine American hero. The depth and strength of his moral conviction shows what character can accomplish. This book, just as this man's life, cannot be overrated or over-appreciated. John Lewis, as a young man had the calling. His deeply religious upbringing ultimately led him to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and work with Rev. Martin Luther King. He sat in where Black people were not wanted. He demanded for Black people the rights to which all Americans have an expectation. He walked the walk at a time when it was not only unpopular, but downright death defying. He moved from the pulpit to the halls of Congress, where he serves to this day. As inspiring a work as I have ever read. Ought to be required reading by everyone in the Nation for a deeper understanding of the power of the American spirit.
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