Book cover of The Kneeling Man: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Who Witnessed the Assassination of Martin Luther  King Jr.

Book description

BCALA Literary Award Winner

The intimate and heartbreaking story of a Black undercover police officer who famously kneeled by the assassinated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr--and a daughter's quest for the truth about her father

In the famous photograph of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on the…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Kneeling Man as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I read two great memoirs for a panel I moderated about daughters and fathers. At the event, I enjoyed watching Leslie Absher and Leta McCollough Seletzky meet and realize how much they had in common.

Both authors had dads who kept secrets— big, political secrets. Leta Seletzky’s dad worked as an undercover officer for the Memphis Police Department in the 1960s: he was “The Kneeling Man” in the famous photograph taken after King’s death. 

This may sound odd, but I related to Leta Seletzky’s emotional tale of how she gradually got to know her father, as an adult, by uncovering…

From Sylvia's list on maddening dads.

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