Foreword: An exemplar for our time : James Lawson, saintliness, and nonviolence / by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Author's note

Part One: 1928-1957: Resistance. Jimmy, there must be a better way

I shall always love you

Concealed battle

Unimaginable warfare

Troublemakers

Soul force

Part Two: 1958-1967: Agitation. Nashville symphony

Let my people go

The myth has exploded

Such starry-eyed men

Which side are you on?

Quagmires

With my mind stayed on freedom

Those two Americas

Part Three: 1968: Love. Beloved community

In this rich nation

A new sense of dignity and justice

Something is happening in Memphis

Of infinite worth

Agitator index

Part Four: 1969-2024: Still going on. On resurrection morning

Equal protection

Can we all get along?

The tragedy would be compounded

Unidos venceremos

Inalienable rights

Plantation capitalism

With liberty and justice for all

Afterword.