Hellhound on His Trail (Doubleday), 2010, is a nonfiction book written by author Hampton Sides, focusing on the characters and events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.[1] Using multiple narratives, Hellhound is an attempt at exploring the psychology and emotion that dominated and divided the United States during the Civil Rights Movement.[2]
 | |
| Author | Hampton Sides |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Nonfiction /American history / True crime//civil rights |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
Publication date | 2010 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 459 |
| ISBN | 978-0385523929 |
Synopsis
editThe work examines the assassination of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, the manhunt for his killer, and the nation's reaction. Sides looks into the background of James Earl Ray, King's murderer, including his usage of several aliases, including "Eric Starvo Galt". He questions Ray's ability to gain this many aliases on his own and whether or not he may have had an accomplice at some point in time,[3] which Sides believes was very likely.[4]
Reception
editCritical reception for Hellhound on His Trail has been mostly positive.[5] The Daily Telegraph and The Washington Post both praised the work, with The Daily Telegraph calling it "an elegant tale of murder and pursuit, but might have been so much more."[6][7] The New York Times and The Guardian were slightly more mixed in their reviews. Both wrote overall favorable reviews, but remarked that there were aspects that the author could have explored further.[8][9]
Film adaptation
editBlack Label Media will produce and direct a film adaption, with a spring 2018 target for start of production. The script will be adapted by Scott Cooper who will also direct the film.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Roads to Memphis: Interview". PBS Roads to Memphis; PBS Staff. 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Interview With Hampton Sides; The Colbert Report". The Colbert Report: Colbert, Stephen. May 2010. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Hellhound: Following Martin Luther King's Killer; Weekend Edition". NPR Weekend Edition; NPR Staff. April 23, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Hellhound Trails King Assassin James Earl Ray; Fresh Air". NPR Fresh Air; Gross, Terry. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "'Tracking King's Killer'; The Wall Street Journal". The Wall Street Journal; Blackmon, Douglas A. April 26, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Book Review: Hellhound on His Trail; The Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph; Horan, Tom. June 9, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Book Review: Hellhound on His Trail; The Washington Post". The Washington Post; Garrow, David J. May 16, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "'Death of a Dream'; The New York Times". The New York Times Book Review; Burrough, Bryan. May 14, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Book Review: Hellhound on His Trail". The Guardian; Preston, Peter. June 5, 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (August 1, 2017). "Scott Cooper, Black Label Media Adapt MLK Assassination Thriller 'Hellhound on His Trail'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
External links
edit- Book excerpt at the New York Times