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A Review of “The Road to Disunion, Volume II: Secessionists Triumphant”

the nation. The succeeding two chapters firmly locate the Dream speech within two schools of thought: the abolitionist tradition of Lincoln and integrationism, which ultimately espouses the inclusion of African Americans in the nation. Sundquist shows how “Lincoln’s promise has been revived by everyone who has stood and spoken in his shadow” (145). King’s reference to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” situates him within the company of those who embraced Samuel F. Smith’s “America” as their own. The book ends with a fairly balanced account of what has become the speech’s most laudable yet controversial phrase: “they will not be judged by the content of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Sundquist astutely captures the complexities of how this phrase has been appropriated by different groups. King’s allusion to colorblind justice has become the benchmark for anti–affirmative action policies, but Sundquist concludes that King was a moral pragmatist who “did not let devotion to the ideal of colorblindness prevent him from advocating race-based strategies to address historical inequalities” (203). He also juxtaposes King’s demand for “something special” to assist all disadvantaged groups with his emphasis on the importance of moral character. In light of King’s extensive works, reducing the core of his philosophy to one speech is quite a lofty endeavor. Nonetheless, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the multilayered roots of the Dream speech.