54 pages 1 hour read

Timothy B. Tyson

Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2004

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy B. Tyson recounts the 1970 racially motivated murder of Henry Marrow Jr., a Black Army veteran, by white assailants in Oxford, North Carolina, and the subsequent civil unrest. The book explores the entrenched white supremacy and racial tensions in the South, spotlighting the reactions from both Black and white communities as well as Tyson's personal and academic journey influenced by these events. Tyson uses unedited racial language, including epithets, for historical authenticity.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Timothy B. Tyson's Blood Done Sign My Name is praised for its powerful narrative and in-depth exploration of racial tensions in 1970s North Carolina. Critics commend its historical accuracy and emotional impact. However, some felt the prose could be dense at times, affecting readability. Overall, it is regarded as an essential, insightful read on America's complex racial history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Blood Done Sign My Name?

Readers who appreciate The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates will find Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy B. Tyson compelling. It appeals to those interested in civil rights history, racial justice, and nuanced personal narratives set against significant social upheaval.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1240L

Book Details

Topics

Race / Racism

History: U.S.

Crime / Legal

Genre

Biography