In 'King: A Life,' Jonathan Eig presents an essential biography of civil rights luminary Martin Luther King Jr., interweaving newly declassified information with an intensely personal narrative. Eig delves into King’s profound impact on American society, exploring his ethos, his internal conflicts, and his indomitable quest for justice. The portrait of King that emerges is one of a man burdened with the dualities of peace and conflict, shaped by deep-rooted familial ties and pivotal in reshaping race relations. As Eig guides us through King's life from the classroom to the streets where history was made, readers discover the man behind the icon, achieving a deeper understanding of his legacy that echoes into today's ongoing struggles for equality.