61 pages 2 hours read

Elizabeth Hinton

America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

History: U.S.

Politics / Government

Race / Racism

Themes

Identity: Race

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Society: Politics & Government

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction