Scan barcode
A review by billd
March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I began my journey with The March trilogy by American Member of Congress, John Lewis in August of 2022 when I discovered the first book in my local book store. Each chapter covers another portion of his fascinating life and his work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as he worked to get equal rights for American negroes, especially in the South.
Each story was powerful, educational, striking in its emotional impact. I think this third book, March: Book Three was the most powerful of all, as it covered the bombing of the Sixteenth Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama, which resulted in the deaths of four young girls; Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair. It also covers the murders of the three civil rights workers in Mississippi, and that of Malcolm X. But that is the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the crimes perpetrated against the Negroes in the South as the struggled for equality.
This last book also covers the friction between the various civil rights organizations, John Lewis's SNCC, Martin Lewis Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as they sometimes competed for the same cause. The efforts to have Negro representation from Mississippi at the 1964 Democratic Convention is also covered. Of course the final chapter is the march between Selma and Montgomery where Mr. Lewis was so brutally attacked by Alabama State troopers.
It's history in action, riveting, terrifying, featuring peaceful, loving bravery in the face of armed opposition and hatred that sends chills down your spine. The fact that there are Governors in the US to this day that don't want this story told is sad and dispiriting. Those people who would keep this history from their citizens, because they don't want to be 'embarrassed' by it, shows that these people are the new George Wallace's and Sheriff Clarks, maybe put in nicer suits. The story should be read and told. (5.0 stars)
Each story was powerful, educational, striking in its emotional impact. I think this third book, March: Book Three was the most powerful of all, as it covered the bombing of the Sixteenth Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama, which resulted in the deaths of four young girls; Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair. It also covers the murders of the three civil rights workers in Mississippi, and that of Malcolm X. But that is the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the crimes perpetrated against the Negroes in the South as the struggled for equality.
This last book also covers the friction between the various civil rights organizations, John Lewis's SNCC, Martin Lewis Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as they sometimes competed for the same cause. The efforts to have Negro representation from Mississippi at the 1964 Democratic Convention is also covered. Of course the final chapter is the march between Selma and Montgomery where Mr. Lewis was so brutally attacked by Alabama State troopers.
It's history in action, riveting, terrifying, featuring peaceful, loving bravery in the face of armed opposition and hatred that sends chills down your spine. The fact that there are Governors in the US to this day that don't want this story told is sad and dispiriting. Those people who would keep this history from their citizens, because they don't want to be 'embarrassed' by it, shows that these people are the new George Wallace's and Sheriff Clarks, maybe put in nicer suits. The story should be read and told. (5.0 stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
A powerful, thought-provoking biography of John Lewis's civil rights activities.