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skitch41's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs
ngaz's review
5.0
“Ida: A Sword Among Lions” is almost 700 pages and well worth the reading! This was a well written story told in intimate detail about the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. I really enjoyed the in-depth study of her life because it paints a rich picture of activism in this important time in black American history, and really goes to great lengths to capture the personality of African Americans collectively in this crucial time of having to elbow their way into American society.
This book details how Mrs. Wells-Barnett understood the crucial task before the race of needing to outmaneuver white intent to create and legitimize a system of neo-slavery. Like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey, she was a great orator and a behind-the-scenes organizer, tireless in both. These figures are such rare jewels in history, and it has been decades since Black America has had any. Without leaving behind any famous quotes, actions, movements, or legends, she has sadly hung in the margins of African American history. But Gidding’s book highlights the truth that Wells-Barnett was a cornerstone in the shaping of contemporary black American socio political life.
Because she has been largely neglected, this is a critically important book. It is worthy of its length with the impressive analyses of the dynamics of gender and class in shaping a black American social and political identity. With few direct sources into Wells-Barnett‘s inner experiences, the author does an excellent job of piecing together a useful psychological profile, without making too many assumptions, that helps us understand the intent and motivations of this woman who endured decades of often unrewarding struggle to create attention to the cause of racial justice and gender equality, and to build institutions to support them. We see that she was a highly principled woman, who was not matched in character by other black leaders including the most famous she crossed paths with, including Frederick Douglass and WEB Du Bois. These are important things we African Americans need to know about history.
If you are interested in either African American history, or late 19th and early 20th century American history, I highly recommend this book.
This book details how Mrs. Wells-Barnett understood the crucial task before the race of needing to outmaneuver white intent to create and legitimize a system of neo-slavery. Like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey, she was a great orator and a behind-the-scenes organizer, tireless in both. These figures are such rare jewels in history, and it has been decades since Black America has had any. Without leaving behind any famous quotes, actions, movements, or legends, she has sadly hung in the margins of African American history. But Gidding’s book highlights the truth that Wells-Barnett was a cornerstone in the shaping of contemporary black American socio political life.
Because she has been largely neglected, this is a critically important book. It is worthy of its length with the impressive analyses of the dynamics of gender and class in shaping a black American social and political identity. With few direct sources into Wells-Barnett‘s inner experiences, the author does an excellent job of piecing together a useful psychological profile, without making too many assumptions, that helps us understand the intent and motivations of this woman who endured decades of often unrewarding struggle to create attention to the cause of racial justice and gender equality, and to build institutions to support them. We see that she was a highly principled woman, who was not matched in character by other black leaders including the most famous she crossed paths with, including Frederick Douglass and WEB Du Bois. These are important things we African Americans need to know about history.
If you are interested in either African American history, or late 19th and early 20th century American history, I highly recommend this book.
kwtingley's review against another edition
5.0
A thorough and authoritative account of an oft overlooked leader and doer who had the instinct and drive to grind in fight after fight for justice.
marireadstoomuch's review
5.0
Really really comprehensive and detailed, with a clear dedication to giving a sense of her complexity and how she was treated (and mistreated) in her own time.
megatsunami's review
Really interesting subject but the level of detail was too much for me as a general reader. It was hard to get through the whole book. I did appreciate learning about the infighting and drama that Ida Wells had to deal with. Her strong personality and passion for justice came through loud and clear. Also, many of the internal conflicts among people working for progressive goals sounded extremely familiar. On the one hand, it's kind of depressing to think that we are going through the same drama now as 100 years ago; on the other hand, it makes me feel like maybe we are accomplishing something, just as Ida Wells was.
Check out this quote from Frances Willard of the WCTU - it sounds just like some of the white liberal racism of today:
"[Ida] is a bright woman and I have nothing against her except that my study of her character and work leads me to feel that she has not the balance and steadiness that are requisite in a successful reformer. I do not mention this as her fault but her misfortune... I have always treated colored people just as I treated white in every respect, and it is, I think, a downright injustice that I have been made by good Frederick Douglass, by percussive Miss Wells and some others to appear as the enemy of a race that I love and on whose behalf I would do anything that seems to me to be helpful and practicable." (p. 337-8)
Check out this quote from Frances Willard of the WCTU - it sounds just like some of the white liberal racism of today:
"[Ida] is a bright woman and I have nothing against her except that my study of her character and work leads me to feel that she has not the balance and steadiness that are requisite in a successful reformer. I do not mention this as her fault but her misfortune... I have always treated colored people just as I treated white in every respect, and it is, I think, a downright injustice that I have been made by good Frederick Douglass, by percussive Miss Wells and some others to appear as the enemy of a race that I love and on whose behalf I would do anything that seems to me to be helpful and practicable." (p. 337-8)
k80uva's review
3.0
Very interesting and important story but this book is SO exhaustive that it ultimately diluted its impact for me. Would highly recommend the first 400 pages, and then skimming the rest.
queenerdloser's review
5.0
What a read! So dense with detail and intensely researched it required concentration to get through, but provided such an intimate look at the intricacies of Ida's life that it was an easy read from start to finish. Ida herself is unfolded with care, every aspect of her life explored, explained, and celebrated. A brilliant portrait of a fascinating, inspiring woman.
melvad's review
5.0
I learned SO much. This is an incredibly thorough look at the history of lynching in America and the work of Ida B. Wells.
bethebookworm's review
3.0
I finished it! This was my bedtime reading for ages, and sorry to say the writing was so dull and name dropping it put me to sleep after a page or two many times. But I persisted, because Ida B Wells herself was far from dull. She was a truly amazing woman and everyone should know more about her. Just not from this book. I may try to get my hands on her autobiography, as the quotes of her writing in this book were the best bits.
sherimaple's review
5.0
I purchased the book back in April as I wanted to know more about Ida B. Wells. The book is very well-researched and discusses all of strengths and weaknesses. I have other biographies of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington that were contemporaries, and Giddings' book gives me a view of the times through Ida's eyes.