55 pages • 1 hour read
Anna Malaika TubbsThe Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs is a nonfiction biography exploring the lives of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin, whose roles in shaping the identities and activism of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin are highlighted. Tubbs emphasizes their influence, the intersectional oppression they faced, and the erasure of Black women’s histories. Topics include racism, racial violence, sexual violence, and the history of enslavement.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Anna Malaika Tubbs' The Three Mothers generally receives praise for its compelling exploration of the lives of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Critics commend its depth and narrative style, although some feel it occasionally lacks analytical rigor. Overall, it is heralded as a valuable tribute to these often overlooked women.
Who Should Read The Three Mothers?
A reader who would enjoy The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs is likely interested in African American history, female empowerment, and social justice. Comparable to readers of Becoming by Michelle Obama and Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, they appreciate biographies that highlight influential, yet often overlooked, women's stories.