In a series of essays, written as a letter to his son, Coates confronts the notion of race in America and how it has shaped American history, many times at the cost of black bodies and lives. Thoughtfully exploring personal and historical events, from his time at Howard University to the Civil War, the author poignantly asks and attempts to answer difficult questions that plague modern society. In this short memoir, the "Atlantic" writer explains that the tragic examples of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and those killed in South Carolina are the results of a systematically constructed and maintained assault to black people--a structure that includes slavery, mass incarceration, and police brutality as part of its foundation. From his passionate and deliberate breakdown of the concept of race itself to the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, Coates powerfully sums up the terrible history of the subjugation of black people in the United States. A timely work, this title will resonate with all teens--those who have experienced racism as well as those who have followed the recent news coverage on violence against people of color.


Well I gave this a go and struggled to page 90 and then decided my reading life is too short so abandoned. Will be passing onto another reader who has this on her wishlist. More luck to you my friend :)

Travelling with company for wishlist tag games.

Thanks very much for the tag, jeniwren. I've read good things about this book, but admit that they have all been from people living in the US.
Will be interesting to see how I find it.

Definitely not an easy read but I am glad to have read it. I found the meandering and somewhat repetitive style rather difficult at times, but there were also passages of such deep passion, raw feeling, insight and eloquence that kept me going. The subject matter is challenging of course: growing up black in the US, with all the fear, all the abuse, and that huge chasm existing between what should be and what is. Relating personal events brings the issues home with more direct relevance and I found it both powerful and illuminating. It's not my world of course, but any Australian who reads this and does not see at least some parallels and relevance to our own county is truly blinkered.

Off to New Zealand as a wishlist tag.

A letter box surprise- thank you for the hitchhikers

Will take to the Norfolk Island Uncon. It is a perfect size to squeeze in the suitcase. I will get stuck in and read before departure it has lingered on Mt TBR for too long.

Passed to me by EdwardStreet while in Burnt Pine, Norfolk Island.

Not a read I could finish. A story about a person who is (probably rightfully) angry, who alienates a lot of people in the first few pages.

Placed on a coffee table at Prinke, a great shop where you can buy just how much you need of (eg) flour, pasta, laundry powder. Perfect for short term guests on the Island.

If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it.