HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON by Jon Meacham is subtitled "John Lewis and the Power of Hope." Meecham, Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer/historian and author of  numerous texts including The Soul of America and Songs of America, delivers a warm and respectful description of the life and many contributions of John Lewis and his "good trouble." Meecham writes, "This is not a full-scale biography. It is, rather, an appreciative account of the major moments of Lewis's life in the movement, of the theological understanding he brought to the struggle, and of the utility he brought to that vision." Meecham describes Lewis' family (his great-grandfather, alive until Lewis was seven, was born a slave), his early life, and the importance of faith as well as Lewis' involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Sections deal with The Freedom Riders and The Bloody Sunday March across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Interspersed throughout are numerous images of individuals involved in the struggle and of key events, including newspaper coverage. Lewis himself crafted a moving afterword which calls to mind his final public words from the essay, "Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation," published in the New York Times. There he wrote, "Emmett Till was my George Floyd" and "Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part ... ."  HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal.

Full disclosure, Jon Meacham is always a guest at my fantasy dinner party, and often John Lewis makes the same list. I focused on the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement in both undergraduate and graduate studies, so this felt like equal parts scholarly text and beautiful biography. Meacham’s research, and Lewis’s words, made me thirst again for knowledge on the topic and hunger for lasting social change in my generation and beyond.

Very good book - really correct and made you feel as though you were there. I would give this book my highest recommendation.

'His Truth Is Marching On' is a phenomenal biography of John Lewis's contributions and participation in the Civil Rights movements in the US from the early 1960s-2020. The focus of this book is largely on his participation in the movement in the 1960s. Meacham outlines Lewis’s unwavering religious and philosophical convictions that lead him to the movement and conscience that guided his behavior. Jon Meacham does a wonderful job synthesizing the greater historical and political context of the era. He well illustrates the actions and motivation of Civil Rights organizers. Where this biography really soars is in Meacham's descriptions of marches and other major events. The violence suffered by Lewis and his compatriots is devastating to read about. Their strength and resolve are breathtaking and inspiring. 

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This book was a little overwhelming at first, but as I went through it, it gained in relevance. It does begin with quite a bit of religious content and I could see if a non-Christian picked up the book, they would probably put it back down. I am glad that I did not.

As the book progressed there is discussion on whether John Lewis is a saint and then it goes on to tell of earlier stories of him, including one where he accidentally drowned a chicken that he was baptizing only to see it come back.

I truly like John Lewis' message against hatred and I am so glad that I read this book cover-to-cover. The words within will stay with me for a long time. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House in exchange for my honest review. I thank them for this opportunity to read this great book.

Jon Meacham did a fabulous job of writing about John Lewis and his life during the civil rights movement. There is much to admire about John Lewis and his extraordinary life. Meacham brings the people around Lewis and the events to life here, and I felt so many emotions--anger, despair, hope, admiration, love--while reading this important account. There is an afterword written by John Lewis before his death this year, and as expected, it speaks of action, unity, love, and hope.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a review copy. It was heartbreaking to read and yet, it is an understatement to say it was worth it.

What a powerful book! Meacham's account of John Lewis' life makes you want to be a better person. Meacham captures Lewis's deep faith and paints a portrait of a follower of Jesus who at all costs lived the Gospel. There is much to be learned from this man.

Thank you for this book! John Lewis’s life was an inspiration. His Truth is Marching On is required reading for every American!

John Lewis was a giant among men. His life story is an inspiration for all those who follow the path he helped to carve in the fight for civil rights and justice for all. John Lewis gave interviews to the author, Jon Meacham, and it gives you a unique perspective into his life and beliefs. Meacham at times speaks of Lewis as though he were more saint than human, something that might make the reader scoff at initially. But it soon becomes clear that Meacham isn’t gilding the lily in his portrayal of Lewis. The man truly was a truly good person and deserving of such high praise. Representative Lewis fought the good fight, and he was gracious enough to share his experiences, his wisdom and his humility with us all. He taught us what it meant to get in good trouble. I am simply grateful that he was appreciated while he was with us, that he knew how he inspired others to fight for civil rights and a better world. We were so fortunate to have him, and his legacy of peace and love will live on. Jon Meacham shows us just what a great man he was. It is a fitting epitaph to Rep. Lewis’s life’s story.

His truth is marching on
John Meacham (author)
The review is based on an ARC from NetGalley
“The sword was not a blade but a spiritual sword; we were going to tear down the old world patiently and non-violently”
 Even as times and opinions changed, John Lewis stood by his creed of nonviolence and faith in a “beloved community”. Lewis was always soft-spoken but determined, he never hit back when he was attacked. Lewis was arrested forty-five times over his lifetime he suffered a fractured skull and was repeatedly beaten and tear-gassed. Lewis was committed from the beginning he would conform and give in but be reasonable and persist in the cause of repealing unjust laws. Freedom Riders were groups of white and African American civil rights activists who participated in Freedom Rides, bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals. Freedom Riders tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations in Alabama, South Carolina, and other Southern states. Police as well as violence from white protestors confronted the groups. Lewis was one of the original 13 freedom riders. John Meacham documents Lewis's life l as a young seminary student to working with Martin Luther King yr. and with Presidents John F.  Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson.
 This is a well-researched book and key figures photographs are placed throughout the book.
John Meacham said and I quote” This Is not a full-scale biography. It is rather an appreciative account of the major moments in Lewis’ life of the theological understanding he (Lewis) brought to the struggle, and the utility of the vision as America enters the third decade of the twenty-first century amid division and fear”

This is an excellent account of the major points in John Lewis's life. It shouldn't be thought of as a full biography. Instead think of it as a highlights of his life with additional philosophical ideas from Lewis. The author clearly had a good relationship with Lewis and portrays his worldview in a fair light. If you ever wondered how he was able to continue on in his non-violent protests despite frequently landing in hospitals and jails, then this book is required reading. It also serves as a good explainer for how the non-violent Civil Rights Movement lost its steam toward the end of the 60's, which I always find my students confused about.

John Lewis was a name that I heard often but I did not have a clear overview of his story. While I knew of him as a current senator, I missed the link to his beginnings in the Civil Rights Movement. Upon his death a couple of months ago, I began piecing it together. I made a note to learn more about him, so when this book was available, I excitedly began reading. While it is not an exhaustive account of his life, Meachem does an excellent job of weaving his story together through the lens of his faith and his commitment to nonviolence. This is a great read to gain a deeper understanding of Lewis and how the Civil Rights Movement shaped him.

It is hard to accept that in such A relatively short space of time , two wonderful people like John Lewis and RBG have been taken from us. Two who represented the best of society and politics. The best of us. 

John Lewis was a man of deep faith, a man who wanted to improve the lives of his people, and did it peacefully, legally. He was beaten, thrown in prison, yet his resolve never wavered. Meacham due a fine job showing us what compelled him on to this path and what he hoped to accomplish. He was a man of integrity, a man with a deep, commanding voice that demanded to be heard. This is the man one reads about in this book. The kind of man we need more of in this country, where dishonesty is now so often portrayed as truth.

In the back of the book we read Lewis in his own words. Impressive and unforgettable, as was the man himself.

"Change in America most often comes when the powerless attract the attention of the powerful."
Lewis was not only only a living monument he was a man of true wit, determination, and will to be the change he wished to see not just for himself but all of humanity.
He carved his own path, he showed the nation how to ignore hatred and stay motivated, he chose success on his own terms using his own means.
In spite of everything he endured from beatings, burnings, and pure evil bombings he not only survived but thrived.
He was the light in the dark for others to follow. He became a beacon of hope. He found a way to make everyone believe.
"Sometimes I'll dream of a march, of moving forward, of light and warmth and happiness. And then I'll wake up and think, 'Oh, that was just a dream.' But you have to believe that it can be real, that it can be more than a dream."
When justice was denied Mr. Lewis found a way to keep the dream alive.
That war for good, for peace, for dignity, for salvation is real and continues on because of his contributions.
We must now choose between community and chaos, between hatred and love, between division and acceptance.
Speak up. Speak out. Never be silenced.
The Civil Rights Movement was regarded as the most influential movement of its time during the 21st Century but it's not the end.
There's much more work to be done.
The Alabama accent was noticeable but he wasn't demanding. When his father found out about his actions he simply noted that was his son John and supported his decisions.
Yet, read these words and feel the power behind them but not just the power but the idea that we are all created equal as one human race and so I quote,"Altogether, it was a moving feeling within me that I was sitting there demanding a God-given right, and my soul became satisfied that I was right in what I was doing," he says. "At the same time, there was something deep down within me, moving me, that I could go no longer be satisfied or go along with an evil system-that I had to be maladjusted to it and in spite of all of this I had to keep loving the people who denied me service, who stared at me."
If that doesn't move you to get in 'Good Trouble' I'm not sure what will.
We are in this together.

This book is an amazing, beautifully written account of the civil rights movement and John Lewis integral role in most of the major events of this movement. This book is so valuable right now, not only because of Lewis’s recent passing,  but also because it serves as a reminder of the power of people to come together and make a difference.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This isn't a traditional cradle-to-grave biography (which can sometimes make for an intimidating tome), but a powerful, readable account of John Lewis's lifelong commitment to civil rights, social justice, and political renewal — and how his faith compelled that commitment in philosophy and action. In the author's words, it's "an appreciative account of the major moments of Lewis’s life in the movement, of the theological understanding he brought to the struggle, and of the utility of that vision as America enters the third decade of the twenty-first century amid division and fear." Because of Lewis's extensive involvement from such an early age, this makes an excellent refresher/introduction to the Civil Rights Movement.

Content notes: racist violence, terror, and obstruction

His Truth Is Marching on: John Lewis and the Power of Hope
By Jon Meacham, John Lewis (Afterword)

One of humanity’s immovable bastions of hope and future progress has moved on to the next part of his journey. . .John Lewis. The author of His Truth Is Marching on: John Lewis and the Power of Hope has provided us a way to review this man’s life journey and goals within the context of his time, experiences and those carried forward by his people as they raised him up. At the end of his life, he has blessed us as a nation, made us better as a people, whether we accept that or not – it is simply truth. Having a means to better learn his story, his struggles, failures and victories, his method of engaging in good trouble unfolds in this book. The afterword of the book is authored by John Lewis, himself. It is a confident and hopeful push to all readers to continue to create that Beloved Community, find the way forward which will be unique to each of us.

All politics aside, we have all been loved by him. He left his words as evidence of his faith in us to bring about the best good from the choices we have before us. Jon Meacham’s book gives a worthy reflection of this important man, reminding us that not only are the shining stars important. . .the ordinary stars, taking extraordinary measures to ensure everyday progress for all, are just as important and shine just as long.

A Sincere Thanks to Jon Meacham, Random House and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

If anyone deserves the Jon Meacham treatment, it is John Lewis. This is a brilliant, moving, powerful elegy on the late Congressman’s full life that also serves as strong encouragement to follow Lewis’s example in a world that desperately needs his compassionate power.

His Truth is Marching On is a biography of Representative John Lewis that focuses on his childhood and work as an activist during the civil rights movement. The book highlights a number of lesser known civil rights organizations and leaders who influenced Lewis so it serves not only as a biography of Lewis but also as an overview of the civil rights movement.⁠
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His Truth Is Marching On is strongest when Meacham focuses on Lewis, his faith, and his commitment to nonviolence. As a person of faith I was deeply moved by reading about the religious roots behind Lewis's lifelong activism. I took more notes about those passages in the book than I have about any book I've read in recent memory. ⁠
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The book is slightly less compelling when it focuses more broadly on the civil rights movement and less on John Lewis himself. That said, I was glad to learn more about civil rights leaders like James Lawson, Ella Baker, and Diane Nash, and about Highlander Folk School. ⁠
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My one real complaint with the book is that it ends so abruptly with the assassination of Robert Kennedy. I would have loved to read about how Lewis made the transition from being an activist skeptical about the power of government to a Congressman. ⁠Also, and understandably, Jon Meacham is not exactly writing through an objective lens. But then again, I can't think of anyone who'd be able to write about him in a way that wasn't positively beatific. 
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That said, this book is a must-read for admirers of John Lewis, folks interested in learning more about the civil rights movement, and history buffs in general.⁠
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We lost a hero this summer in the death of Congressman John Lewis. We may remember the last photos of him, days before his death on Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC, one more expression of the arc of a life spent in the hope that the nation would recognize the gift that his people are and that one day, his hope of Dr. King’s Beloved Community would be realized. We might also remember the image of him being clubbed to the ground on the approaches to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, a day he nearly lost his life. There is so much that came before, and between these images. In this new work, historian Jon Meacham offers a historical account coupled with Lewis’s recollections, that helps us understand not only the heroic work of this civil rights icon, but the wellsprings of motivation that spurred his long march.

Meacham begins with his ancestry, great-grandchild of a slave, child of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama, growing up deep in the Jim Crow South in segregated schools, where a look, an inappropriate word might cost one’s life if you were black. Lewis was a child of the black church who knew he wanted to be a preacher, and practiced on the chickens on his parents farm. His faith, and early uneasiness with the inequities that did not measure up to the American dream meant “that the Lord had to be concerned with the ways we lived our lives right here on earth, that everything we did, or didn’t do in our lives had to be more than just a means of making our way to heaven.” Then he heard the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. on the radio and heard someone who gave voice to his growing calling and conviction., leading to pursuing seminary studies at the American Baptist Seminary in Nashville.

Meacham accounts how this led to sit-ins at restaurants, the Freedom Rides, the Children’s Crusade and the March on Washington, where he gave one of the most impassioned speeches as a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), refusing to back away from criticism of the Kennedy administration. Meacham describes the death of Kennedy, the civil rights leadership of Johnson, and Lewis’s growing exile from SNCC, from those like Stokely Carmichael who had tired of the slow progress of non-violent protest, that left him to go to Selma alone rather than with the SNCC. Again and again his principles led him to get into “good trouble.”

Through it all, including the deaths of King and Bobby Kennedy, he persisted, through multiple beatings and arrests. Much of this work chronicles his years in the civil rights movement, leaving the final chapter to summarize his years in Congress and legacy. What Meacham focuses on throughout are the theological convictions, rooted in Lewis’s belief in the Spirit of History, his faith in a loving God, and his belief that America’s ideals would prevail over America’s failings. Second is a focus on Lewis’s bedrock conviction of pursuing non-violent resistance rooted in a belief of the dignity of all people in the image of God, even one’s enemies, developed from the Bible, Dr. King, James Lawson and the Highlander Workshops, and the principles of Gandhi. The narrative is one of how Lewis “walked the talk” bearing numerous beatings without retaliation, sacrificing his leadership for his principles. Finally, Lewis lived toward a vision of America as Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” From marches and activism to his years in politics, Meacham shows how he strove for the peace with justice that would overcome divisions between black and white. Meacham gives John Lewis the last word in his afterword:

“We won the battles of the 1960’s. But the war for justice, the war to make America both great and good, goes on. We the People are not a united people right now. We rarely are, but our divisions and our tribalism are especially acute. Many Americans have lost faith in the idea that what binds us together is more important than what separates us. Now as before, we have to choose, as Dr. King once put it, between community and chaos.

John Lewis never lost faith that what binds us together matters most and never stopped pursuing community rather than chaos. Meacham’s book leaves us the question of what will we believe and pursue in the days ahead. How we answer that may be decisive not only for our lives but also for our country.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.