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History· United States

Parting the Waters

by Taylor Branch
Aggregate Editorial Score50/100
★National Book Award
Published 1989English
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About This Book

When Taylor Branch published Parting the Waters in 1989, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of history. The first volume of Branch's monumental America in the King Years trilogy covers the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1963. Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, it is the definitive history of Martin Luther King Jr. and the movement he led. Themes of Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr., race run through the work. The book has received recognition from National Book Award 1989.

Book Details

AuthorTaylor Branch
Published1989
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Category📜 History
ISBN9780671687427
Editorial Score50/100
About the Category

📜 History

Non-fiction works that document and interpret the past.

Explore all History books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Taylor Branch published Parting the Waters in 1989, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of history from United States. The book's treatment of Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr., race, American history accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: National Book Award 1989. With an editorial score of 50/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes Parting the Waters is how it handles its central concerns — Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr., race, American history — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within United States's literary landscape, Taylor Branch occupies a significant position. Parting the Waters is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

National Book Award
winner · national
198950
✍️
About the Author
Taylor Branch
United States
View Author →

Taylor Branch is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parting the Waters about?

The first volume of Branch's monumental America in the King Years trilogy covers the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1963. Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, it is the definitive history of Martin Luther King Jr. and the movement he led.

Who wrote Parting the Waters?

Parting the Waters was written by Taylor Branch, from United States. First published in 1989.

What awards has Parting the Waters won?

Parting the Waters has received the following awards and honours: National Book Award 1989.

Is Parting the Waters worth reading?

Parting the Waters is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 50/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr., race.

Where can I buy Parting the Waters?

You can buy Parting the Waters on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Parting the Waters?

Parting the Waters is classified as History. Non-fiction works that document and interpret the past.

What country is Parting the Waters from?

Parting the Waters originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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