The Sword and the Shield

Gripping, infuriating, inspiring, heart-breaking, hopeful. 
There's no way I can do justice to the amount of eloquence born out of serious research that this book represents, but I can say that instead of a vague notion of the pop-culture icon identity of these two figures, I am much better acquainted with the historical Malcolm and Martin. 
I appreciate that enough time has passed for the similarities in goals to outweigh the contentions in method  in viewing the two figures. 
It's more a history than a dual biography, but does very well in focusing in on the contributions to anti-racist, anti-colonial activism, the seeking of economic justice, the historic fight for civil, human, rights, not just in America but for people of colour globally, that both men fought for. 
I also appreciated how going year by year chronologically through each man's contributions to the anti-racist and civil rights movements gave insight into the work of fellow Black activists, mentors and mentees for the two men. 
 I will say it's clear that religion bolstered their connection to communities and social movements,  but it continually made my atheist self uncomfortable to read, especially as it influenced the two men in their treatment of women. You see improvements later in their life after extensive work around female activists, but the author is clear about how much was left to be desired in including gender equality in what was being fought for. 
I find myself less inclined to read a biography of each after this intensive run down of their periods of activism, but more interested in picking up collections of their writing/speeches (though I gather the original source of much of King's writing is under debate?). 
Of course, I'd also like to do some reading about Black activism in Canada. First up:  books on Viola Desmond. 
⚠️Racism, racist violence, racially motivated murder