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samjunipero's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible read all the way through.
A must read for all white people, especially ones in the United States.
A must read for all white people, especially ones in the United States.
reverendpear's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely valuable research, insight, and reflection. While it wouldn't feel right to call this "easy to read" because of the dreadful subject matter, the writers do make the meaning of the information inside this book straightforward and accessible for whoever's reading it. They identify the problems aptly and encourage the reader toward solutions extremely well.
This book is definitely worth reading for anyone struggling with how to respond to the endless crisis of police brutality, and I'd particularly recommend Alex Vitale's "The End of Policing" alongside it, toward that same end.
This book is definitely worth reading for anyone struggling with how to respond to the endless crisis of police brutality, and I'd particularly recommend Alex Vitale's "The End of Policing" alongside it, toward that same end.
michelereise's review against another edition
5.0
This is an excellent collection of essays regarding the history of police violence in the US and the world against people of color. A great starting place for those wanting to know more.
kstookley's review against another edition
3.0
An anthology serving as an introduction to how the police harm black bodies in the United States. Compiled in the wake of the death of Michael Brown, many of its assertions feel like common knowledge after six years and thousands of deaths of black and brown bodies. Still, parts of the book had content that was new to me, like the practice of bribing informants in prisons to help produce guilty verdicts, or burgeoning organizations coming up with alternatives to the American police state which also seek to address the genocide of black and brown bodies it perpetuates. Solid in its discussion of intersectional oppression related to gender and shared oppression between races. Got it for free on Verso's website as an ebook, so it was definitely worth the investment in time and money.
jasjadeserrano's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book is a great introduction for someone (like me) who is new to conversations about police abolition, transformative justice, or community safety. As a collection of essays, this book provides the reader a wide, but related and intersectional, array of perspectives on these topics. I especially appreciated the centering of Black women and WOC, LGBTQIA, and Native perspectives. It’s always tough to know where to start when familiarizing yourself with a movement, but this book offers several points of entry into deeper knowledge and further education beyond this text.
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
In the wake of the very justified unrest in the US and other countries about the treatment of black people (and basically anyone who isn't white) I was very grateful to publishers Haymarket for making this book available for free. I have always described myself as anti-racist, but very interesting conversations and statements made recently have made me realise that it isn't enough for me to just say that everyone deserves equality. Of course they do, but from my relative safety as a white woman I can do so much more to understand and fight for that right either alongside marginalised people or in spaces where they are unable. Books like this are key to educating and arming myself both with knowledge and with fuel for my arguments. Hearing the voices of people who know firsthand what injustice and inequality feels like and how it shapes their existence is vital, and this collection of pieces from a variety of writers brings together so many facts, experiences and perspectives on the impact of policing in the US and particularly police violence. It raises some radical points which at first I felt unsure of (such as doing away with policing completely), but to which viewpoint I was brought around by the intelligence of the arguments made. I think the way the system has not only failed but damaged marginalised communities to the point that they are advocating putting their safety and health at risk to avoid interacting and engaging with these public services is incredibly upsetting. As are the myriad shocking statistics mentioned throughout the pieces in this book. This book is a tough read, as it does pummel you with case after case of police violence and painful stories to hear. It definitely isn't a primer - it's a dense book to read through, which could be intimidating to those new to non-fiction or the topic. But if you get through it and it doesn't leave you seething with anger on the part of those most vulnerable, then you've been reading it wrong.
katvsleeps's review against another edition
4.0
proper review to come
One of the most insightful and significant books I’ve read.
One of the most insightful and significant books I’ve read.
wetdryvac's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat slanted, but less so than a lot of its detractors seem to imply. A decent read, and with consistently solid citations. Definitely not an, "I liked it," But very much a worthwhile read.