Reviews

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

superdewa's review against another edition

5.0

This be required reading for all Americans, but especially for anyone already in or considering going into law, law enforcement, or politics.

It challenged many of my assumptions, and I would really like to see Barack Obama’s take on this book, because it challenges some of his assumptions as well. I searched the Internet and found nothing from him.

It took me a long time to read because it is deep and heavy, and I needed a few breaks during this already deep and heavy time. I listened to the audiobook, which was good, but I think I will check out a hard copy from the library so I can get a better look at the numbers.

graecus_'s review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

4.25

fascinating book. very informative on the origins, purpose, and effects of the prison system. it felt very slow at times, and there were parts where ideas felt repeated, but overall very informative 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

akhudson's review against another edition

4.5

Must read.

neelamreadsalot's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

lynecia's review against another edition

4.0

Let me gather my thoughts...brb

tball333's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

giak13's review against another edition

5.0

While this book was very saddening, I think it's extremely necessary for everyone to read. It's such an important topic that everyone should be concerned with. This book does a great job bringing this issue to light and explaining it in a way that everyone can understand and empathize with. I enjoyed that the book was separated into six sections, long chapters are usually difficult to engage with and get through, but this wasn't the case for this book. Michelle Alexander did such an amazing job explaining the past, present and future involved with racism, slavery, and mass incarceration. I don't usually enjoy reading nonfiction, historical books, but this one really spoke to me and I was able to learn so much throughout the entire book. Sometimes the topics that are difficult to listen to are the most important to learn about. I also appreciated that this book didn't ever come across as an attack on other races, even though it had every right to do so. It genuinely seems that Michelle is only in the interest of educating the audience, not pointing blame.

wahooemma's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Wowowowwww where to even begin? Took me about 2 months to read because I’d have to take breaks because of heavy content, sort of intense intellectual prodding at times. So well written and thought provoking! A very important read for everyone, especially those interested in racial histories, bias, mass incarceration, justice, etc. very hard to sum up or review the book because it was so impactful  

piperleger's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

rants_n_reads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0