61 pages • 2 hours read
America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s
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Book Brief
432
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 1960s-1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton traces the history of Black rebellion in the United States from the late 1960s to the George Floyd protests of 2020, highlighting violent encounters between Black Americans and law enforcement, and presenting these rebellions as politically driven responses to systemic racism and draconian policing practices. The book contains detailed discussions of violence, racial injustice, and systemic issues in policing and the criminal justice system.
Informative
Challenging
Emotional
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,125 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton offers a profound analysis of racial unrest in the U.S., linking past civil rights efforts to modern struggles. Reviewers praise its thorough research and compelling narrative, though some criticize its dense academic language. The book is seen as a significant contribution to understanding systemic racism, despite occasional readability challenges.
Who Should Read America on Fire?
Readers interested in civil rights, social justice, and modern racial unrest would enjoy America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton. Comparable to Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Ibram X. Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist, it offers historical insights into the roots of rebellion and systemic inequality in America.
1,125 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Charles Koen
Charles Koen
A civil rights leader and reverend known for his shift from nonviolence to armed self-defense and community control. As a founder of the United Front in Cairo, Illinois, he worked to support the Black community through various social services and initiatives.
Claiborne T. Callahan
Claiborne T. Callahan
A police officer in Alexandria, Virginia, noted for his contentious interactions with Black residents. His role in a specific incident exemplifies the challenges of police-community relations discussed in the book.
432
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 1960s-1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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