4.43
"At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America" by Philip Dray is a comprehensive and authoritative history of lynching in the United States, with a particular focus on the experiences of African Americans. Dray's meticulously researched and vividly written book provides a detailed account of the brutal violence that was perpetrated against black Americans with the complicity or active participation of white mobs, often in the name of "justice" or to maintain white supremacy. The book covers a wide range of topics related to lynching, including the legal and cultural contexts that enabled it, the role of racism and white supremacy in fueling it, and the ways in which black communities organized to resist it. Dray also explores the impact of lynching on black identity, culture, and politics, as well as its legacy in contemporary America. One of the strengths of "At the Hands of Persons Unknown" is its nuanced and complex portrayal of the individuals and communities involved in lynching. Dray avoids easy moralizing or simplistic explanations, instead presenting a rich and multifaceted picture of the social, economic, and political forces that shaped the practice of lynching. He also highlights the courage and resilience of those who spoke out against lynching, from Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois to modern-day activists and scholars. Overall, "At the Hands of Persons Unknown" is a powerful and important book that sheds new light on a dark chapter in American history. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the legacy of racism and violence in the United States, and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality...
Isabel Wilkerson
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book tells the story of the migration of African Americans from the South to the North and West during the 20th century. Through the experiences of three individuals, Wilkerson explores the social, economic, and political factors that drove this mass movement and its impact on American society. This book is a good choice for readers of 'At the Hands of Persons Unknown' as it provides a broader context for understanding the historical roots of racial violence and inequality in America.
Learn MoreDouglas A. Blackmon
Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II
This book explores the little-known history of forced labor and involuntary servitude of African Americans in the post-Civil War South. Blackmon argues that the criminal justice system was used to re-enslave black Americans, who were arrested for minor crimes and then leased out to private companies. This book is a good choice for readers of 'At the Hands of Persons Unknown' as it sheds light on the systemic racism and violence that shaped the lives of African Americans long after the end of slavery.
Learn MoreW.E.B. Du Bois
The Souls of Black Folk
This classic work of African American literature explores the history and culture of black Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Du Bois argues that the struggle for racial equality is not just a political or economic issue, but also a spiritual one, and calls for a more nuanced and complex understanding of the black experience in America. This book is a good choice for readers of 'At the Hands of Persons Unknown' as it provides a historical and cultural context for understanding the roots of racial violence and injustice in America.
Learn MoreJames Baldwin
The Fire Next Time
This book is a collection of two essays by James Baldwin, one of which is a letter to his nephew on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Baldwin reflects on the history of racial violence and injustice in America and calls for a radical transformation of American society. This book is a good choice for readers of 'At the Hands of Persons Unknown' as it provides a powerful and eloquent critique of the racial dynamics that have shaped American history and culture.
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