PBS host Tavis Smiley to discuss his book on King assassination Sept. 25

Award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley will discuss his latest book, “Death of a King,” which chronicles the 12 months leading up to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, at a National Press Club Book Rap on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Smiley will sign copies of the book following the discussion. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in in the First Amendment Lounge.

Register here to attend. Tickets are $5 for NPC members, $10 for the public. Club members should log in for the promo code.

This event is a fundraiser for the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Books must be purchased through the NPC. No outside books or memorabilia are permitted. All sales are final; no refunds will be issued.

King died in one of the most shocking assassinations the world has known, yet little is remembered about the life he led in his final year. In “Death of a King,” Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King's life, revealing the minister's trials and tribulations – denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country's black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology, and political tactics, to name a few. He had to rise above them all in order to lead and address the racism, poverty, and militarism that threatened to destroy U.S. democracy.

Smiley is the host of PBS's Tavis Smiley and Public Radio International's "The Tavis Smiley Show." Smiley is also the bestselling author of 16 books.