CALLED TO THE FIRE A Witness for God in Mississippi; The Story of Dr. Charles Johnson

Like a reluctant Old Testament prophet, the Reverend Charles Johnson resisted going to serve as pastor of a small church in Meridian, Mississippi, in the early years of the Civil Rights struggle. But, ultimately, he felt God was calling him and would protect him. He went on to serve God and the cause of human rights with distinction. This concise biography captures his spirituality and the history it’s set against. David Cochran Heath offers an engaging narration, studied in the historical portions and more emotional in the personal sections. He alters his voice to give a pulpit sound to direct quotes by Johnson and an exaggerated Southern drawl to racist antagonists. A character who particularly shines in Heath’s portrayals is the defense attorney in a landmark civil rights case, who himself adopts a Cracker-ish tone in playing to an all-white Mississippi jury. R.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2014 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]