35 pages • 1 hour read
The Blood of Emmett Till
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Book Brief
304
Biography • Nonfiction
Mississippi • 1950s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson is a 2017 nonfiction book that recounts the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, a young African American boy visiting Mississippi from Chicago. Till was accused of offending a white woman, leading to his brutal murder by her husband and friends. The subsequent trial ended in the acquittal of the murderers by an all-white jury, highlighting the pervasive racism of the time. Till’s mother used his death to galvanize the civil rights movement. The book contains descriptions of racial violence.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Informative
Reviews & Readership
10,629 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Timothy B. Tyson's The Blood of Emmett Till is praised for its thorough research and compelling narrative. Critics commend its powerful exploration of racial injustice and its relevance to contemporary issues. However, some find it occasionally dense and prefer a more streamlined approach. Overall, it's a significant contribution to historical literature.
Who Should Read The Blood of Emmett Till?
Readers who appreciate "The Blood of Emmett Till" by Timothy B. Tyson are typically interested in American history, civil rights, and social justice. Similar to Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns and Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me, this book is ideal for those seeking in-depth explorations of racial injustice and historical narratives.
10,629 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Emmett Till
Emmett Till
A 14-year-old boy from Chicago who, during a visit to Mississippi, becomes the victim of a racially motivated murder.
Carolyn Bryant
Carolyn Bryant
A young woman who encounters Emmett Till in her family's store and becomes a key figure in the events leading to his murder.
J. W. “Big” Milam
J. W. “Big” Milam
One of the two men involved in Emmett Till's kidnapping and murder, known for his willingness to use violence to uphold racial hierarchies.
Roy Bryant
Roy Bryant
The husband of Carolyn Bryant who participated in the crime against Emmett Till alongside J. W. Milam.
Mamie Till
Mamie Till
Emmett Till’s mother who bravely insisted on publicizing her son's murder to galvanize the civil rights movement.
Sheriff Henry Strider
Sheriff Henry Strider
A law enforcement officer who undermined the investigation and prosecution of Emmett Till's murder.
Moses Wright
Moses Wright
Emmett Till's great-uncle with whom Till was staying at the time of his abduction, and a key witness at the trial.
304
Biography • Nonfiction
Mississippi • 1950s
2017
Adult
18+ years
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