Honoring John Lewis

How His Courageous Life and Message Continue to Resonate

As Black History Month approaches, David Greenberg’s John Lewis: A Life could not have come at a more poignant moment.

This comprehensive biography of the man often called “the conscience of Congress” is a vivid reminder of the power of perseverance, moral clarity, and strategic activism.

Greenberg’s thorough research and gripping storytelling uncover the depths of John Lewis’s legacy, an epic story that has captured my attention as we navigate into the turbulent waters of 2025.

Reading this book felt like both an education and an act of reckoning. Born into the harsh realities of poverty in rural Alabama, Lewis’s rise to prominence as a Civil Rights leader is well-documented.

It’s here where Greenberg’s work illuminates the complexities of his life beyond the headlines. From Lewis’s role as a Freedom Rider and leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to his later years as a respected member of Congress, his story is one of profound dedication to justice and equality.

In reading the book, what strikes me most is the sense of unshakable resolve that permeated his life—an anchor of hope and action in the face of systemic oppression.

A Personal Connection to Lewis’s Legacy

As someone who has spent a lifetime reflecting on societal transformation, I found Lewis’s disciplined approach to nonviolence deeply inspiring. It reminded me of the Taoist ideal of aligning with natural forces rather than fighting against them.

Lewis’s ability to channel the anger and frustration of his community into focused, strategic action exemplifies the balance of inner strength and outward impact—a lesson that feels vital in today’s divisive climate.

In many ways, the trajectory of Lewis’s life mirrors the challenges we face now. The voting rights he fought for are under threat, and the social fabric of our nation is fraying under the weight of economic inequality, racial injustice, and political polarization.

His call to make “good trouble” feels more urgent than ever, not as a nostalgic nod to the past but as a clarion call for the present.

Major Takeaways from the Book

One of Greenberg’s most compelling revelations is the depth of Lewis’s humility and humanity. While his leadership during the Civil Rights Movement is legendary, the book highlights the quieter moments of his life—his struggles, doubts, and the toll that activism took on him personally.

These insights make Lewis more than a historical icon; they make him relatable and, perhaps more importantly, emulate-able.

The book also delves into his later years, a period often overshadowed by his Civil Rights work. Lewis’s role in Congress was not just symbolic; he was a skilled legislator who built coalitions and earned bipartisan respect.

Greenberg’s use of never-before-seen FBI files and interviews with those who knew Lewis adds a richness to this narrative, painting a fuller picture of a man whose work transcended decades and movements.

One of the most chilling yet galvanizing sections recounts Lewis’s experience on Bloody Sunday, the day Alabama state troopers nearly beat him to death on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Reading his reflections on that day—a day when he thought he might die—brought tears to my eyes.

It also brought clarity: Lewis was willing to sacrifice his life for the ideals he believed in. In an age where courage often feels in short supply, this example is a lighthouse guiding us through a storm.

Why This Book Matters Now

As we prepare to honor Black History Month, Greenberg’s biography serves as both a reminder and a roadmap. It reminds us of the sacrifices that paved the way for many of the freedoms we enjoy today, and it offers a roadmap for how we can navigate our current challenges with the same clarity of purpose that defined Lewis’s life.

For me, John Lewis: A Life resonates on multiple levels. It is a story of one man’s journey, but it is also a story about the collective struggle for dignity and equality.

The book is also a reminder that change is rarely instantaneous—it is built on the shoulders of those who dare to dream, dare to act, and dare to endure.

As someone who believes in the transformative power of storytelling, I see this book as a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue about who we are and who we can become.

A Compelling Read for All

Greenberg’s biography is not just for history buffs or Civil Rights scholars. It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the intersection of individual agency and collective action.

It is a book for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the challenges of our time but is searching for a way forward. And it is a book for anyone who believes, as Lewis did, that love and justice will always prevail over hate and oppression.

As I move toward the final chapter of John Lewis: A Life, I find myself filled with both gratitude and determination. Gratitude for a life so fully lived in service of others, and determination to carry forward the lessons of that life into my own.

I believe the book is, at its heart, a call to action—a reminder that the work of building a more just and equitable world is never finished. And as we step into 2025, that call feels more urgent than ever.

Let us take the lessons of John Lewis with us, not just into February but into every day that follows. Let us make good trouble, necessary trouble, and let us do so with the same spirit of love, resilience, and unyielding hope that defined his extraordinary life.

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Diamond Michael Scott, Global Book Ambassador