Give Me This Mountain: Life History and Selected Sermons of Rev. C. L. Franklin

This biography presents the life story and selected sermons of Reverend C.L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister and civil rights activist who preached in Detroit from the 1940s to the 1970s. Franklin, also known as the father of singer Aretha Franklin, developed a distinctive preaching style that combined traditional Baptist sermonizing with musical elements. The book includes transcriptions of Franklin's most notable sermons alongside historical context about the African American church and the development of Black gospel music. Through interviews, archival materials, and recordings, author Jeff Todd Titon reconstructs Franklin's journey from rural Mississippi to his position as an influential religious leader in urban Detroit. Much of the text focuses on Franklin's dual role as both minister and public figure during a transformative period in American history. His sermons often addressed social issues while maintaining deep theological roots in Baptist tradition. This work illuminates the intersection of African American religious practice, musical innovation, and social change in twentieth-century America. The biography demonstrates how one minister's personal story connects to broader movements in American religious and cultural life.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Jeff Todd Titon's overall work: Readers consistently cite Titon's "Worlds of Music" textbook as a detailed introduction to global music traditions. Students note the clarity of musical concepts and the accompanying CD examples that demonstrate key styles. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex musical concepts - Comprehensive coverage of diverse musical traditions - High-quality audio examples and transcriptions - Balance of cultural context and technical analysis What readers disliked: - Dense academic language in some sections - High textbook price point - Some found the organizational structure challenging to follow - Limited coverage of contemporary/popular music forms On Goodreads, "Worlds of Music" maintains a 3.8/5 rating across 52 reviews. Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 stars from 89 ratings. One student reviewer noted: "The CD examples really helped connect theory to practice." Another wrote: "Detailed but sometimes overwhelming for intro students." His "Early Downhome Blues" receives positive reviews for its research depth but fewer general reader ratings (3.9/5 on Goodreads from 12 reviews).

God's Long Summer by Charles Marsh This historical account documents the role of religious leaders during the Civil Rights Movement through personal narratives and sermons.

Can I Get a Witness by Marla Frederick The book examines African American women preachers' impact on their communities through detailed life histories and sermon analysis.

Johnny Cash: The Life by Robert Hilburn This biography traces the intersection of faith, music, and social influence through the life story of a transformative religious figure.

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Clayborne Carson The book presents King's journey as a preacher and civil rights leader through his own words, sermons, and personal writings.

Up from the Cradle of Jazz by Jason Berry, Tad Jones The text explores the connection between religious expression and musical development in New Orleans through biographical accounts of influential church leaders and musicians.

🎵 C.L. Franklin, known as the "Man with the Million-Dollar Voice," was Aretha Franklin's father and a major influence on her musical style and career. 📖 The book includes complete transcriptions of some of Rev. Franklin's most famous sermons, including "Dry Bones in the Valley," which sold over a million copies as a recorded sermon. 🎤 Rev. Franklin pioneered the practice of recording and selling his sermons commercially, helping create a new market for gospel music and preaching in the 1950s. 🏛️ Author Jeff Todd Titon conducted extensive fieldwork in Detroit's African American churches and spent significant time interviewing Rev. Franklin directly for this biography. ⚡ The book reveals how Rev. Franklin's dramatic preaching style, which mixed singing and speaking, influenced both religious and secular performers, including Ray Charles and James Brown.