Plot Summary

Waking Up White

Debby Irving
Guide cover placeholder

Waking Up White

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2014

Book Brief

Debby Irving

Waking Up White

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

2014

Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Waking Up White by Debby Irving is a memoir and examination of white privilege, white superiority, and racism, documenting Irving's self-discovery of racial biases after enrolling in a race and culture identity course in her forties. Her narrative includes personal experiences, reflections, and prompts for readers to explore their own racial beliefs, aiming to foster community and dialogue to combat racism. The book addresses the systemic nature of racism and encourages white readers to examine and challenge their own stereotypes and prejudices.

Informative

Contemplative

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

14,125 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Waking Up White by Debby Irving receives varied reviews. Positives highlight its honest self-reflection and educational value on white privilege, making complex issues accessible. Criticisms mention redundant content and a narrow personal focus, which some feel limits broader applicability. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for initiating discussions on race.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Waking Up White?

Readers intrigued by personal journeys into racial awareness and social justice will find Waking Up White by Debby Irving compelling. This book appeals to those who appreciated Robin DiAngelo's White Fragility or Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me, offering a relatable and introspective narrative for understanding white privilege and systemic racism.

4.2

14,125 ratings

79%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

2014

Publication Year

2014

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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