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sethdmichaels's review against another edition
4.0
Really good in depth bio of Rosa Parks, from her decade of community organizing before the Montgomery bus boycott through her decades as an activist and Congressional staffer in Detroit after the boycott. She's more thoughtful, more radical, struggled through more than the reductive popular version of her story lets on. Highly recommended - the only thing keeping it from being five-star is that it's a little dryly academic, but Parks' life and the power of her political commitment are enough to keep it compelling.
akemi's review against another edition
4.0
This straightforward accounting of Rosa Parks was interesting to read since it helped flesh out her life both before and after her infamous bus ride. She has indeed been held up as a national symbol, one that most people don’t know beyond refusing to give up her seat. I enjoyed learning about all of the other work that she did in her lifetime. It made me appreciate her even more, but it also made me sad to read about how much she suffered as a result of her fighting for what is right. As an introvert myself, I liked how she practiced strength without expecting notoriety or acclaim. She showed up for people and was brave when others were not.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
“When asked what gave her the strength and commitment to refuse segregation, (Rosa) Parks credited her mother and grandfather "for giving me the spirit of freedom... that I should not feel because of my race or color, inferior to any person. That I should do my very best to be a respectable person, to respect myself, to expect respect from others.”
“Time and time again, she sought to show the roots—the legitimacy—of black rebellion. It galled her that black people were often told to wait, to be patient and not angry. She had long hated the ways black rebels were seen as freaks or demonized for their refusal to submit.”
This is the second book I have finished that was recommended by The Reverend Doctor William Barber. (http://www.breachrepairers.org/) During his mini-history lesson, he talked about the real Rosa Parks. I thought I knew who he was talking about.
Once again, history has done a disservice to a black woman. In this case we have rightly honored Rosa Parks for what we thought she did. However, her life was fuller, more interesting and harder than we ever imagined.
I accepted the story of Parks and her decision not to move out of her bus seat as fact. Over the years, I had heard that Parks was involved in the civil rights movement for many years and that seemed likely. However, I really never considered what happened to Parks and her family after the bus boycott.
This is why reading and paying attention to history is so important. How can I, for whom facts are important, know what is going on if I don’t find the right information. I should know by now not to accept the “facts” as presented.
This is an excellent biography. Theoharis has done her research well and helped this reader to see not only Parks more clearly, but some of American history more clearly. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century America.
“Time and time again, she sought to show the roots—the legitimacy—of black rebellion. It galled her that black people were often told to wait, to be patient and not angry. She had long hated the ways black rebels were seen as freaks or demonized for their refusal to submit.”
This is the second book I have finished that was recommended by The Reverend Doctor William Barber. (http://www.breachrepairers.org/) During his mini-history lesson, he talked about the real Rosa Parks. I thought I knew who he was talking about.
Once again, history has done a disservice to a black woman. In this case we have rightly honored Rosa Parks for what we thought she did. However, her life was fuller, more interesting and harder than we ever imagined.
I accepted the story of Parks and her decision not to move out of her bus seat as fact. Over the years, I had heard that Parks was involved in the civil rights movement for many years and that seemed likely. However, I really never considered what happened to Parks and her family after the bus boycott.
This is why reading and paying attention to history is so important. How can I, for whom facts are important, know what is going on if I don’t find the right information. I should know by now not to accept the “facts” as presented.
This is an excellent biography. Theoharis has done her research well and helped this reader to see not only Parks more clearly, but some of American history more clearly. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century America.
jenny_bean_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Tons of info I didn't know, and I'm glad to have learned reading this book, but it feels like the author was scrambling to finish the last chapters and everything was scrambled and out of order. Definitely should have put more love into them.
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