logo

46 pages 1 hour read

Black Like Me

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1961

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
John Howard Griffin

Black Like Me

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1961
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Southern United States • 1950s

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin, a white man, darkens his skin and lives as a Black man in the deep South in 1959 to document the realities of racial segregation. Griffin faces discrimination, hostility, and the daily struggles Black individuals endure to meet basic needs. He records these experiences to foster understanding and bridge racial gaps, gaining worldwide attention for his pioneering sociological study. The book contains references to racial violence, including lynching.

Informative

Challenging

Dark

Unnerving

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

69,530 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin, a compelling exploration of racial divides, receives praise for its raw and courageous narrative. Critics commend Griffin's immersive journalism and poignant prose. However, some challenge the depth of his perspective and the ethics of his methods. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking and influential work on race.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black Like Me?

A reader who would enjoy Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin is likely interested in civil rights, social justice, and racial issues. They might also appreciate The Autobiography of Malcolm X and To Kill a Mockingbird, as these books similarly address racism and provide profound social commentary.

4.4

69,530 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Southern United States • 1950s

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.