48 pages 1 hour read

Jeanne Theoharis

A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A More Beautiful and Terrible History by Jeanne Theoharis analyzes the history and memory of the Civil Rights Era, challenging the myths and simplifications that obscure the movement's true scope and the ongoing struggle against racial inequality. Theoharis dissects historical distortions and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the complex narrative of systemic oppression and resistance for genuine racial equality.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jeanne Theoharis delivers a compelling reexamination of the Civil Rights Movement in A More Beautiful and Terrible History. Positive reviews praise its insightful challenge to sanitized narratives, fostering deep reflection. Critics argue it can be dense, potentially overwhelming for casual readers. Overall, it's an enlightening but demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A More Beautiful and Terrible History?

An ideal reader for Jeanne Theoharis's A More Beautiful and Terrible History is a history enthusiast seeking a nuanced understanding of the civil rights movement, akin to readers of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

History: U.S.

Race / Racism

Politics / Government

Themes

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Society: Politics & Government

Society: Nation