Scan barcode
mae555's review against another edition
4.0
read this for english college class, very eye-opening. was fun but tedious to take notes on and analyze this book
larryerick's review against another edition
5.0
I think it's only fair that I begin this review by saying I started reading an earlier book from this author, only to promptly find it shrill with hyperbole, prompting me to cease quickly. Regardless, the subject and reputation of this book allowed me to try again with this work. I am very glad I did. This is an outstanding work. As the title implies, the book centers on the subject of the "I Can't Breathe" media phenomenon, Michael Garner, in New York City. Very early on in my reading, I noted much in common in this book with two of the best books I have ever read -- period -- but especially on contemporary American life for its black population: Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Matthew Desmond's Evicted. This book drives down to the micro level on much of what is expounded in Alexander's work, while it embeds itself in its location with much of the same intimacy Desmond did in his book. With that framework, the author meticulously but creatively and urgently lays out the multitude of nuances in the community in which this event occurred and the characters and actions taken before, during, and after, all while maintaining clarity and great interest. Moreover, the epilogue is an eloquent summing up of the book and what it all means. As an aside, I will mention that Jane Mayer's book, Dark Money, is a resource I would highly recommend to anyone in search of how America has reached its current state. I would most eagerly pair this book with Mayer's book for that purpose.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
4.0
Matt Taibbi tells the story of the Broken Windows, CompStat, and other ineffective policing systems in New York City that led to the harassment of specific neighborhoods and people, including Eric Garner, who was put into an illegal choke-hold by a cop and killed. An eye-opening account of the dysfunctional, so-called justice system, lack of accountability and consequences by law enforcement and political leaders, and lack of oversight that led to the death of Garner. The video that a neighborhood resident took of the brutality went viral, and the desperate plea to police from Eric Garner, "I can't breathe" became a mantra for the black lives matter cause.
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
We know the story- On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner was surrounded by police for selling "loosies" (loose cigarettes). When he questions why he is being arrested, he attempts to walk away, when he is wrestled to the ground in a chokehold. As he is dying, he repeats the phrase- "I can't breathe" over and over again, until he dies. The police officer continued to hold him until he died. There was no indictment, but only an internal investigation. It was settled out of court for $5 million.
This book looks at the incident from all sorts of angles- what was happening at the time leading up to the death, what were the policing policies in place at the time, why was this hold used, etc. Taibbi talks to people that know Garner, people in similar situations, and proves a full account of that day.
I will admit I was a bit hesitant requesting this as a galley. The hesitancy came from the question- can a white guy tell a black man's story and do it well? Taibbi didn't have the experiences that Garner had and even though Taibbi is an incredible journalist, I wondered if the story could be told with justice.
After reading it, I can say, absolutely yes Taibbi did a fantastic job. While other authors touch upon Garner and lift up similar issues- such as Guiliani's crack down on crime, the rise of loosie's, etc, having that information all in one place was a big help. It led to a fuller story and Taibbi goes into Garner's life a bit more than some other authors do.
This was a tragic read, but a well researched and complete narrative. I am glad I read it.
I gave it 4.5 stars.
*I want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review*
This book looks at the incident from all sorts of angles- what was happening at the time leading up to the death, what were the policing policies in place at the time, why was this hold used, etc. Taibbi talks to people that know Garner, people in similar situations, and proves a full account of that day.
I will admit I was a bit hesitant requesting this as a galley. The hesitancy came from the question- can a white guy tell a black man's story and do it well? Taibbi didn't have the experiences that Garner had and even though Taibbi is an incredible journalist, I wondered if the story could be told with justice.
After reading it, I can say, absolutely yes Taibbi did a fantastic job. While other authors touch upon Garner and lift up similar issues- such as Guiliani's crack down on crime, the rise of loosie's, etc, having that information all in one place was a big help. It led to a fuller story and Taibbi goes into Garner's life a bit more than some other authors do.
This was a tragic read, but a well researched and complete narrative. I am glad I read it.
I gave it 4.5 stars.
*I want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review*
shannanh's review against another edition
5.0
The day I actually finished the audiobook, was the day Eric's daughter Erica Garner passed. This book told us the story of Eric's life and death, as well as the officer who killed him. You will also see the racial disparities of the area. A very powerful and emotional read.
danicapage's review against another edition
4.0
TW: adult content and profane langauge. Frequent use of "f word"
I remember this story breaking and those close to me saying "that can't have been the whole story" when he was killed for selling illegal cigarettes. People assumed it must have been more.
I knew about this story but not in any real depth. Reading this book was very eye-opening and helped me realize how much I hadn't know about this event. Great accounting.
I remember this story breaking and those close to me saying "that can't have been the whole story" when he was killed for selling illegal cigarettes. People assumed it must have been more.
I knew about this story but not in any real depth. Reading this book was very eye-opening and helped me realize how much I hadn't know about this event. Great accounting.