About this item
The story of the double life of famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers--and how a closely guarded government secret finally came to light. Told by the journalist who broke the story.Ernest Withers captured some of the most iconic moments of the civil rights movement--from the rare photo of Martin Luther King Jr. in repose to the haunting photo of Emmet Till's great-uncle pointing an accusing finger at Till's killers. He was trusted and beloved by King's inner circle, and had a front row seat to history. But what most people don't know is that Withers was an informant for the FBI--and his photos helped the bureau identify and surveil the era's greatest figures. This book explores the life, complex motivations, and legacy of this fascinating figure.
About the Author
Marc Perrusquia is journalist for The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., where he has worked the past 29 years. He has won numerous national awards for both feature writing and investigative reporting, a specialty honed over three decades working in a city long considered among the nation's most corrupt. His journalistic interests also include civil rights history, FBI surveillance and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., specialties he developed while covering dying assassin James Earl Ray's unsuccessful attempts in 1997-98 to win a court-ordered release from prison, which led to the writing of this book. Raised in Wisconsin, he is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Tina, a Memphis attorney, have three children.
