Includes bibliographical references (pages 321-351) and index.

Introduction. America: a dream or a nightmare? The meeting of Malcolm and Martin ; Integration and nationalism in African-American intellectual history. -- The making of a dreamer (1929-55) -- The making of a "bad nigger" (1925-52) -- "I have a dream" (1955-64) The context of Martin's vision ; King and the American dream ; Pursuing the dream: the role of the Negro people ; The American dream and the dream for the world ; Birmingham and the march on Washington ; After Washington. -- "I see a nightmare" (1952-63) The context of Malcolm's vision ; Malcolm and Muhammad ; Oppression and justice ; Unity, self-knowledge, self-love, self-defense, and separation ; America as a nightmare. -- "We must love our white brothers" The impact on King's faith and theology upon his dream ; King's impact upon the American churches. -- "White man's heaven is a black man's hell" The impact of Malcolm's faith and theology upon his nightmare ; Malcolm's exposition of religions and race. -- "Chickens coming home to roost" (1964-65) Break with Elijah Muhammad ; Movement toward Martin. -- "Shattered dreams" (1965-68) The struggle for the ballot: end of the first phase ; The second phase: a dream shattered ; Disenchantment with whites ; The Vietnam crucible: justice, love, and hope. -- Two roads to freedom. Complementing each other ; Correcting each other. -- Nothing but men. Sexism ; Classism. -- Making their marks: Legacies. Culture ; Politics ; Critique of American Christianity ; Qualities as leaders ; Self-criticism and humility ; Nonviolence and self-defense ; Militancy and humor ; Solidarity with the masses ; Link with other liberation movements. This ground-breaking and highly acclaimed work examines the two most influential African-American leaders of this century. While Martin Luther King, Jr. saw America as "essentially a dream...as yet unfulfilled", Malcolm X viewed America as a realized nightmare. James Cone cuts through superficial assessments of King and Malcolm as polar opposites to reveal two men whose visions were complementary and moving toward convergence. (Back cover).