Martin Luther King, Jr. | Why We Can't Wait, 1964, inscribed by Martin Luther King, Jr. to the parapsychologist Peter Underwood

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Why We Can't Wait. New York: Signet Books, 1964

WITH A PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. to the English author, broadcaster, and parapsychologist Peter Underwood (1923-2014) in pencil to the title-page: "To Mr. Peter Underwood | With Best Wishes | Martin Luther King", first paperback edition, 8vo (180 x 110 mm.), photographic illustrations, original card wrappers, text leaves slightly browned at extremities, lower wrapper with 5mm. closed tear, a very good copy

In his autobiography, Underwood recounts how, early on in his career with Dent's publishing house, he was fortunate enough to interview Martin Luther King, Jr., as part of a profile series called "Meet the Author":

"Meeting Dr Martin Luther King was [...a] never-to-be-forgotten moment. He sat on a hard chair and talked in a quiet voice, eloquently articulate and delightfully informal. He told me, 'People are often surprised to learn that I am an optimist. They know how often I have been gaoled, how frequently the days and nights have been filled with frustration and sorrow, how bitter and dangerous are my adversaries.' It wasn't long beofre he was tragically assassinated, and how well I remember some of the things he said to me: 'An eye-for-an-eye philosophy eventually leads to everyone being blind...violence creates many more problems than it solves...I have no fear of death...it is not important how long you live but how well you live...' I treasure the copy of his Why We Can't Wait (New American Library, 1964) that he autographed for me" (Underwood, Autobiography of a Ghost-Hunter, p. 179).

PROVENANCE:

Peter Underwood, by descent to the present owner

LITERATURE:

Peter Underwood, No Common Task: Autobiography of a Ghost Hunter. London: George G. Harrap & Co., 1983, pp. 178-9.