You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America

In "You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live: Ten Weeks in Birmingham That Changed America," author Paul Kix delves into the heart of the Civil Rights Movement during a pivotal moment in 1963. This book offers a gripping narrative of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s intense campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, aimed at dismantling segregation. Through the lens of four influential leaders—Martin Luther King Jr., Wyatt Walker, Fred Shuttlesworth, and James Bevel—Kix explores the strategies and personal sacrifices that fueled this crucial period, known as Project C. Readers are transported to the front lines of history, gaining a profound understanding of the tactics that shaped the movement and continue to influence racial justice efforts today. Published on May 2, 2023, this book is especially enlightening for middle-school readers, providing them with a foundational understanding of strategic activism and its lasting impact on America.