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How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
woolerys's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Clint Smith is a talented poet so I was curious about his first work of non-fiction. I liked the pacing and the mix of recounting history, describing the sensory details of being in the various places he travels, conversing with historians/docents/curators/etc. and other tourists, and reflecting on it all. I found it sobering but not hard to read—in fact there were spots where I couldn't put it down. Definitely a worthwhile and valuable book.
proseandpopcorn's review against another edition
5.0
my reactions to this book ranged from having to pause it several times to sit in silence and process some of the most horrifying and reprehensible things I've ever learnt to sometimes even physically wincing in response to more of the same; from feeling weighed down by a deep and paralysing sadness to seething with a rage i could hear roaring like blood in my ears. all while the thought "this needs to be required reading" remained at the base of every reaction - ceaseless and loud, like a metronome.