49 pages • 1 hour read
Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America
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Book Brief
336
Book • Nonfiction
Forsyth County, Georgia • 1910s
2016
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips narrates the history of Forsyth County, Georgia, focusing on the racial cleansing that took place in 1912, which resulted in the expulsion of all Black residents. The book details the violent aftermath of alleged attacks on white women, leading to lynchings and terror inflicted on the Black community, and explores how these events were suppressed over time, while also addressing the county's resistance to desegregation during the 1980s.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
4,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips offers a compelling, well-researched examination of historical racial violence in Forsyth County, shedding light on a dark chapter of American history. While praised for its narrative strength and thorough documentation, some critics find it occasionally dense. Overall, it’s a powerful and sobering read that confronts uncomfortable truths.
Who Should Read Blood at the Root?
Readers of Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips would be history enthusiasts and social justice advocates interested in racial violence and its enduring impact. Fans of The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson or Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon would find this book compelling.
4,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Book • Nonfiction
Forsyth County, Georgia • 1910s
2016
Adult
18+ years
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