A review by yetanothersusan
Built from the Fire by Victor Luckerson

emotional informative tense slow-paced

4.75

As retribution for the alleged accosting of a white woman (which didn't happen), white Tulsa massacred the Black neighborhood, Greenwood, in 1921. To add insult to injury, they then actively sought to defraud the people whose homes and businesses they destroyed. Thoroughly researched and told through historical documents and first hand accounts from several, focusing on the prominent Goodwin family, this book details the lead up to and aftermath of the devastation to the present time where survivors and descendants of those attacked are still seeking some type restitution. While initially focused on Greenwood, the focus of the book expands to encompass the country and several other events that have taken place in the fight for equality and equity. At points it perhaps tries to bring in too much but I think that might just be the point. All these events combine for a systemic and overwhelming impact on our Black countrymen. These past traumas and the ongoing consequences must be faced for us to be a stronger country. This book is hopefully a step in educating white America on why that needs to be done.

Thanks to Random House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.