49 pages 1 hour read

Patrick Phillips

Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

Race / Racism

History: U.S.