The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
- Downloads：5533
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-01-01 00:19:10
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Anna Malaika Tubbs
- ISBN：1250756138
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Huma Abedin
，
It all starts with our mothers。 I grew up being taught that the single most important person I should seek the company of was my mother。。。 and the second most… and the third most。 Then everyone else。 This book tells the story of three heroic women， the hardships they faced， the opportunities they seized， the strength they embodied and ultimately the quality of their characters reflected in the sons they raised， all of who would become household names。 Beautiful and powerful。
Hopey’s Journey
，
Three Mothers was a really interesting read。 I normally don't read non-fiction very often， but I was intrigued by the premise and the book didn't disappoint。 Three Mothers follows the three mothers of James Baldwin， Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr。 As a black women I was yet again reminded of the struggle， but also to finally see three figures often neglected in the media。 To see how influential they've been in the lives of their sons， but also what they've accomplished in their own right an Three Mothers was a really interesting read。 I normally don't read non-fiction very often， but I was intrigued by the premise and the book didn't disappoint。 Three Mothers follows the three mothers of James Baldwin， Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr。 As a black women I was yet again reminded of the struggle， but also to finally see three figures often neglected in the media。 To see how influential they've been in the lives of their sons， but also what they've accomplished in their own right and what kind of things they had to face in order to even get to raise their sons。 The fact that these problems are still being faced today by black mothers in varying ways and I think that this is a really important read。 I sometimes did lose track of who Anna Malaika Tubbs was talking about in which paragraph。 I also got upset multiple times， of course。 At one point I was just raging in the kitchen and ranting to my housemates。 However I really got a lot out of it， even though I don't even know if I ever want to have kids at this point。 Since it highlights a lot of problems， but also a lot insight in the ways in which these women have carried， not only themselves but also their family and the people around them。 This is a review of an arc from NetGalley。 。。。more
Amy
，
important read for allThis works illustrates just how powerful a mother’s love and strength can be。 These strong， determined women overcame so many obstacles and were able to instill hope and determination in their children。 Although one can appreciate how important the message in this work is， I found the writing disjointed and repetitive in parts。
Eve Lyons
，
The beginning and the ending spell out the author’s personal story （new black mother） and its connection to this project， but also broadens the mission - to recognize three black women who raised three of the most important American black men of all time。 As a mother to a young black boy I feel deeply connected to this mission as well。
Monica Leak
，
As we study our heroes across time， we look at the events in their lives， their activism， their speeches， and their written works。 What we typically hear of their past is where and when they were born， maybe the names of their parents and where they went to school。 Rarely do we get the perspectives of the mothers who carried these gifts to the world。 This books takes you on a journey through the lives of three dynamic women whose stories have been in obscurity in the light of their famous sons。 As we study our heroes across time， we look at the events in their lives， their activism， their speeches， and their written works。 What we typically hear of their past is where and when they were born， maybe the names of their parents and where they went to school。 Rarely do we get the perspectives of the mothers who carried these gifts to the world。 This books takes you on a journey through the lives of three dynamic women whose stories have been in obscurity in the light of their famous sons。 Readers will enjoy getting a look into the lives and stories of these amazing women。 。。。more
Nicole
，
I had a lot to learn about the lives of these three outstanding women。 Their suffering is beyond what anyone should have to face and their legacy is a gift to all of us。 Required reading…
Jess
，
Amazing content， but some writing/editing/composition made it kind of confusing/challenging to really get into？ But love the information and concept！！
Amanda Anais
，
First the positive: Anna Malaika Tubbs is a clear writer， and grounded the stories of Berdis Baldwin， Alberta King， and Louise Little in illustrative historical settings。 I learned from this book， and was impressed anew with the heaviness of American history。 I also appreciated Tubbs' description of her own stake in this history。 The other: Unfortunately， I gave this only three stars because it didn't accomplish， to my mind， its purported goal - that is， a history of the three mothers。 Acknowled First the positive: Anna Malaika Tubbs is a clear writer， and grounded the stories of Berdis Baldwin， Alberta King， and Louise Little in illustrative historical settings。 I learned from this book， and was impressed anew with the heaviness of American history。 I also appreciated Tubbs' description of her own stake in this history。 The other: Unfortunately， I gave this only three stars because it didn't accomplish， to my mind， its purported goal - that is， a history of the three mothers。 Acknowledging that sources are scarce， I found that the author frequently editorialized her interpretations of what Baldwin， King， and Little most likely thought and felt， and presented those editorializations as fact。 On a couple occasions， these interpretations were supported by reference to correspondence or other evidence。 Most often， though， they were unsupported。 The kindle version， at least， did not have any citations。 It does have an extensive bibliography， so the book is obviously deeply researched， but it lacked footnotes/endnotes/citations so I had no way of knowing how Tubbs had come to the conclusions that she did。 Lastly， and perhaps most importantly， the book ends up feeling like a history of the three sons， from the mothers' perspectives。 I can see pros and cons to this approach - but， I wanted to learn about the mothers in their own sake， not just in reference to their sons。Disclaimer: I won my copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway （hurray！）。 。。。more
Maurissa
，
I enjoyed learning about the lives of these women and how they impacted the lives of those around them。 I found the content sometimes veered a little too much away from the women into the lives of their sons。 4 stars I was given this book for free in exchange for my honest review。
Lexy
，
I enjoyed this book， and just about everything about these mothers was new information to me。 I did wish there had been more， but that’s the whole problem， isn’t it？ Mothers， and specifically Black mothers， face constant erasure。 These three civil rights leaders wouldn’t have been who they became without the influence of these strong and smart women who instilled values and gave them them the confidence needed to fight， and yet we know so little about them。 Even as a mother myself， I’ve never gi I enjoyed this book， and just about everything about these mothers was new information to me。 I did wish there had been more， but that’s the whole problem， isn’t it？ Mothers， and specifically Black mothers， face constant erasure。 These three civil rights leaders wouldn’t have been who they became without the influence of these strong and smart women who instilled values and gave them them the confidence needed to fight， and yet we know so little about them。 Even as a mother myself， I’ve never given much thought about the women who raised these men， and I really appreciate the insight。 。。。more
Debra Shelton Windham
，
The Three Mothers was decidedly one of the most poignant books I read this year。 It captivated me from its first pages， and I found myself recommending it to any- and everyone who would listen to me for a few minutes while I sang its praises。 Too many times the mothers of notable historical figures， especially mothers of historical figures of color， are not acknowledged or recognized for their influence or significance in historical figures’s lives。 Author Anna Malaika Tubbs changes that in such The Three Mothers was decidedly one of the most poignant books I read this year。 It captivated me from its first pages， and I found myself recommending it to any- and everyone who would listen to me for a few minutes while I sang its praises。 Too many times the mothers of notable historical figures， especially mothers of historical figures of color， are not acknowledged or recognized for their influence or significance in historical figures’s lives。 Author Anna Malaika Tubbs changes that in such a powerful way in her book about the mothers of Martin Luther King， Jr。， Malcolm X， and James Baldwin and how these three women shaped our nation。 。。。more
Colleen
，
I appreciate the monumental task that Tubbs had in writing a biography on these three amazing women with very little to go on。 In my opinion this is more like a dissertation or a sociological book rather than a straight biography。 The parts that were about the three women were small and felt like it was only about 2/3 of the book while the rest was about either their sons， husband's and other stories and facts concerning Black women in America。 It was also jumbled and confusing with the structur I appreciate the monumental task that Tubbs had in writing a biography on these three amazing women with very little to go on。 In my opinion this is more like a dissertation or a sociological book rather than a straight biography。 The parts that were about the three women were small and felt like it was only about 2/3 of the book while the rest was about either their sons， husband's and other stories and facts concerning Black women in America。 It was also jumbled and confusing with the structure of it， it seems like the editor didn't really do a good enough job。 It was also hard to keep track of all the people Tubbs talked about。 Sometimes she would mention someone like the teacher that was so influential in James Baldwin's life but never told us their name。 Or would mention an important women but only give her a sentence or two and not ready connect her to one of the three women the book is about。I feel this book could have been really great if it wasn't written as a biography of the three women but more like a book about multiple important Black women。 But all in all I appreciate the monumental task that Tubbs had in writing a biography on these three amazing women with very little to go on。 。。。more
Lorene
，
We （white people） need to read this book。 It's essential that we learn about the history of these families。 I like how the book was structured into parts like The Birth of Our Children and Loving Our Sons。 I went back and forth between the hardback and the audio， which is read by the author。 I highly recommend reading this book。 We （white people） need to read this book。 It's essential that we learn about the history of these families。 I like how the book was structured into parts like The Birth of Our Children and Loving Our Sons。 I went back and forth between the hardback and the audio， which is read by the author。 I highly recommend reading this book。 。。。more
Alan Marr
，
If I was ranking the subject I would have given it 5 stars。 The mothers of these great man were truly outstanding characters in their own right。 However I'm not sure there is much written by or about them so what was offered tended to be slightly hagiographic。 That being said it was a reminder of the struggles "ordinary people" had to secure their basic rights。 i was particularly impressed by Louise Little who suffered a great deal in her quest for dignity。 If I was ranking the subject I would have given it 5 stars。 The mothers of these great man were truly outstanding characters in their own right。 However I'm not sure there is much written by or about them so what was offered tended to be slightly hagiographic。 That being said it was a reminder of the struggles "ordinary people" had to secure their basic rights。 i was particularly impressed by Louise Little who suffered a great deal in her quest for dignity。 。。。more
Susan
，
This would be a 3。5 for me if that were an option。 I enjoyed learning the stories of the three mothers presented and how their lives impacted their sons。 The author's commentary on black motherhood became a little repetitive for me over the course of the book。 While I certainly acknowledge that there are injustices faced by black mothers there are also commonalities with all mothers - especially those who are able to and choose to leave the workforce in order to raise their children。 This would be a 3。5 for me if that were an option。 I enjoyed learning the stories of the three mothers presented and how their lives impacted their sons。 The author's commentary on black motherhood became a little repetitive for me over the course of the book。 While I certainly acknowledge that there are injustices faced by black mothers there are also commonalities with all mothers - especially those who are able to and choose to leave the workforce in order to raise their children。 。。。more
Janina
，
These stories were incredibly moving and I loved reading about them！ My personal preference would have been to read about the women on their own instead of all the stories along side each other as it would have helped me to follow along the timeline better but overall a great book。
Elizabeth Villalta
，
This book was incredible。 I love how the author structured the book by chronological events in the sons' lives so that even if events happened at different times in the mother's lives， we can compare their reactions and experiences。 The three women were strong and loving parents even when life and the world around them made it improbable。 I learned a lot about these often forgotten women who shaped history。 This book was incredible。 I love how the author structured the book by chronological events in the sons' lives so that even if events happened at different times in the mother's lives， we can compare their reactions and experiences。 The three women were strong and loving parents even when life and the world around them made it improbable。 I learned a lot about these often forgotten women who shaped history。 。。。more
Keren
，
This book really is a must read。 The three women whose stories are thoroughly researched and described in this book deserve such recognition and continue to inspire people advocating for change。 The writing itself， while well done， is hard to read in places because of the immense amount of information。 I do feel like I know these women so much better， and I'm feeling inspired to read and learn more。 This book really is a must read。 The three women whose stories are thoroughly researched and described in this book deserve such recognition and continue to inspire people advocating for change。 The writing itself， while well done， is hard to read in places because of the immense amount of information。 I do feel like I know these women so much better， and I'm feeling inspired to read and learn more。 。。。more
Nancy
，
I wanted to like this book more。 While I learned so much about and from the the three mothers， I found the writing a bit uninspired。 Though Tubbs encountered， at least initially， a dearth of material on the mothers， the book is very well-researched。 Some of the quotes， presenting diverging views， beginning each chapter were shocking， and eye-opening。 In some ways， to me， the book read more like a scholarly paper， which is fine， considering the subject matter， but I expected more somehow。In very I wanted to like this book more。 While I learned so much about and from the the three mothers， I found the writing a bit uninspired。 Though Tubbs encountered， at least initially， a dearth of material on the mothers， the book is very well-researched。 Some of the quotes， presenting diverging views， beginning each chapter were shocking， and eye-opening。 In some ways， to me， the book read more like a scholarly paper， which is fine， considering the subject matter， but I expected more somehow。In very different ways， the three mothers， mostly neglected by history， shaped these three men: Martin Luther King Jr。， Malcolm X， and James Baldwin， to become forces for change。 And as the author， a new mother herself as she was writing， points out， all mothers are often overlooked in the lives of their children， who may go on to achieve great things。After recently watching the Muhammad Ali PBS series， I wanted to learn more about Malcolm X。 Perhaps because of that I was more drawn to the story of Louise Little， Malcolm's mother。 Although all three mothers faced extraordinary trials， Louise seemed to have more than her share。 The Three Mothers led me to ponder many things and prompted me to some further research （T。 Roosevelt's speech on American Motherhood; Moynihan's The Negro Family）。 To me， this is one sign of a successful book。 I had to google each woman to identify each in her photo on the book's cover。 In reading， I sometimes found it confusing as the author was not consistent， likely intentional， in her ordered of the names。 "She [Louise Little] didn't subscribe to one particular religion but instead wanted to expose her children to several different faiths。 She took her children everywhere: they attended Catholic mass， congregated with Baptists， and learned from Hindus。 And after every visit， they would come home and discuss their thoughts。 Louise would day， 'You take what you see will fit you， and the rest of it， just leave it there， but establish your own relationship with God and be true to that。。。You'll find out that you'll do better than you'll ever do getting all hung up in these religions， and you won't be confused。'" （130）"Her [Berdis Baldwin] family honors her every two years by bringing together as many relatives as possible for a reunion somewhere in the Eastern Shore。 During these reunions， they pay homage ot Berdis' place of origin， they reconnect and forge the bonds she demanded they maintain， they sometimes meet new extended family members they didn't know before， and each time they are together they learn something new about their mother and grandmother。 Even if they didn't have the change to meet her before her passing， her great-grandchildren also celebrate her name， role， and importance。" （197） 。。。more
Andi
，
This book not only tells the story of the mothers who raised such powerful leaders of the civil rights movement， but also defines the events occurring in the country and the world at the same time。 It is a century's worth of invaluable historical perspective which shaped how these mothers and their sons viewed themselves and their country， and why they were willing to give their lives in pursuit of humanity and equality for all human beings。 This book not only tells the story of the mothers who raised such powerful leaders of the civil rights movement， but also defines the events occurring in the country and the world at the same time。 It is a century's worth of invaluable historical perspective which shaped how these mothers and their sons viewed themselves and their country， and why they were willing to give their lives in pursuit of humanity and equality for all human beings。 。。。more
Rachel
，
The author clearly has a bone to pick， and is not above twisting facts to prove her point。 Twice she states that the 19th amendment， which gave women the right to vote， excluded black women。 This is patently untrue， but the author uses this 'fact' as the basis for much of her racial angst。 The author aldi gives undue focus to the marginalization of black mothers。 As a non- black woman， I can attest that being invisible is a fact of life for all moms。 Who can name the mother of George Washington The author clearly has a bone to pick， and is not above twisting facts to prove her point。 Twice she states that the 19th amendment， which gave women the right to vote， excluded black women。 This is patently untrue， but the author uses this 'fact' as the basis for much of her racial angst。 The author aldi gives undue focus to the marginalization of black mothers。 As a non- black woman， I can attest that being invisible is a fact of life for all moms。 Who can name the mother of George Washington or president Biden？ Did those women have less of an impact on history by raising their sons？The book shares some fascinating facts that I did not previously know but the author is way too heavy on slanting historical facts to match her narrative。 I don't recommend。 Additionally， I recommend you NOT listen to the audio version as written by the author。 She does not have a good voice for audio recording。 The best thing about the book is that it is short。 。。。more
Lynn
，
Honoring African American MothersTouching look at African American mothers of famous men and the many bit so famous。 They endured slavery and having forcefully had children taken from them to being denied abortion care and pregnancy care。
Anna Cass
，
This is a triple biography of the three mothers of MLK Jr。， Malcolm X， and James Baldwin。 Beyond that， it's a book about Black motherhood in America and about how these three women were so influential in the lives of those three men who were so influential in 20th century US history。Each of the women has an interesting life story， and I appreciated learning about them in addition to learning more about where their famous sons came from。 Also， if it's a triple biography and the whole thing is onl This is a triple biography of the three mothers of MLK Jr。， Malcolm X， and James Baldwin。 Beyond that， it's a book about Black motherhood in America and about how these three women were so influential in the lives of those three men who were so influential in 20th century US history。Each of the women has an interesting life story， and I appreciated learning about them in addition to learning more about where their famous sons came from。 Also， if it's a triple biography and the whole thing is only ~230 pages long， then you just know it's going to be a highlight reel and there's no chance for it to get boring or start dragging。For the most part I enjoyed the writing style， but there were definitely things that bothered me。 My husband notices all the typos in his books， my mom notices historical inaccuracies， and another friend has an eye for anachronisms。 What always jumps out at me （and I have trouble moving past！） is sentences that get a "strengthening adverb" or some other extra oomph that ends up making the sentence untrue。 There were several here， like "Black mothers are 。。。 told to do better with less， 。。。 but never thanked when they miraculously do。" Change "never" to "rarely" and I'm fine with it， but as it is， that sentence makes me want to argue and find counterexamples。 。。。more
Amanda
，
Words cannot adequately describe the power of this book。 This book discuses the necessity， influence and power of motherhood， education and the nuclear family。 These three men would not have been possible without their mothers， and their example。 A must read for women， especially mothers。
Mary
，
One of the best books I've read all year。 This was a really in depth look at the Alberta King， Betis Baldwin， and Louise Little。 I have so much admiration for them。 This is also a celebration of Black motherhood。 One of the best books I've read all year。 This was a really in depth look at the Alberta King， Betis Baldwin， and Louise Little。 I have so much admiration for them。 This is also a celebration of Black motherhood。 。。。more
Ana Saragoza
，
Unfortunately， this book was incredibly underwhelming and has major issues:1。 There isn’t enough evidence from primary sources to dedicate an entire book to these mothers。 To compensate， the author made a lot of assumptions and filled gaps with flowery prose。 The Author’s Note admits that she struggled to find much information。 2。 The author would add little blurbs about history that were wholly unrelated to the little biographical information she had about the mothers。 It was incredibly distrac Unfortunately， this book was incredibly underwhelming and has major issues:1。 There isn’t enough evidence from primary sources to dedicate an entire book to these mothers。 To compensate， the author made a lot of assumptions and filled gaps with flowery prose。 The Author’s Note admits that she struggled to find much information。 2。 The author would add little blurbs about history that were wholly unrelated to the little biographical information she had about the mothers。 It was incredibly distracting and contained nothing novel about Black history。 Again， she had to resort to this because of the lack of evidence that exists。 3。 As stated above， I felt that the prose imputed too many thoughts and feelings onto the mothers。 I picked this book up to read non-fiction。 If I wanted to read historical fiction， I would have turned to another book。 4。 The conclusion read like the book the author actually wants to write。 She crammed so many ideas in at the end， when I was just relieved this reading experience was over。 2。5 stars rounded up to 3。 Do not read。 。。。more
Tamara Darnell
，
It was interesting how she intertwined MLK & Malcolm X。 It was a good audiobook。
Shannon
，
History and content was fascinating。 I wanted to know these mothers and that’s what kept me going。 The narration was a struggle。 The author basically read her dissertation。 Wasn’t what I was expecting。 I wanted the history and facts but would have enjoyed it more had it been more a story or memoir format。
Sarah Himes
，
An important look at three mothers of famous men who have done great things。 Written in an effort to not only recognize the important things *these women and mothers* have done （instead of the general focus on their sons）， but also to reverse some of the erasure of black women in our society。 Thoughtful， well researched， and engaging。 An honest look at the journey black women have taken and have been forced to take as ‘strong black woven’ in America。 “We are deemed less than when we are forced t An important look at three mothers of famous men who have done great things。 Written in an effort to not only recognize the important things *these women and mothers* have done （instead of the general focus on their sons）， but also to reverse some of the erasure of black women in our society。 Thoughtful， well researched， and engaging。 An honest look at the journey black women have taken and have been forced to take as ‘strong black woven’ in America。 “We are deemed less than when we are forced to be more than。” 。。。more
Pam
，