Origins of the Dream: Hughes's Poetry and King's Rhetoric

Recently many news sources have reported about the discovery of the first recording of when Martin Luther King, Jr., used the phrase "I have a dream." Historically, the discovery of that recording is significant, but understanding how MLK developed the idea is academically, historically, and personally significant and influential. Although the discovery of that tape is covered in a chapter in this book, the rest of the book provides insight into the process through which King journeyed to arrive to the point where he gave one of the most well-known speeches in our history. More so, I gained a greater understanding of that time period and the often under appreciated voice of Langston Hughes. Anyone who wants to have a glimpse into the way King developed his ideas will find this book a fascinating, compelling read.