48 pages • 1 hour read
A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History
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Book Brief
280
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 20th Century
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A More Beautiful and Terrible History by Jeanne Theoharis analyzes the history and memory of the Civil Rights Era, challenging the myths and simplifications that obscure the movement's true scope and the ongoing struggle against racial inequality. Theoharis dissects historical distortions and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the complex narrative of systemic oppression and resistance for genuine racial equality.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Mysterious
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
916 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Jeanne Theoharis delivers a compelling reexamination of the Civil Rights Movement in A More Beautiful and Terrible History. Positive reviews praise its insightful challenge to sanitized narratives, fostering deep reflection. Critics argue it can be dense, potentially overwhelming for casual readers. Overall, it's an enlightening but demanding read.
Who Should Read A More Beautiful and Terrible History?
An ideal reader for Jeanne Theoharis's A More Beautiful and Terrible History is a history enthusiast seeking a nuanced understanding of the civil rights movement, akin to readers of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.
916 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
280
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 20th Century
2018
Adult
18+ years
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