Written without a trace of sentimentality or apology, this is an unforgettable personal story—the truth as a remarkable young woman named Anne Moody lived it. To read her book is to know what it is to have grown up black in Mississippi in the forties an fifties—and to have survived with pride and courage intact. In this now classic autobiography, she details the sights, smells, and suffering of … of growing up in a racist society and candidily reveals the soul of a black girl who had the courage to challenge it. The result is a touchstone work: an accurate, authoritative portrait of black family life in the rural South and a moving account of a woman’s indomitable heart.
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The early parts of the book were better than the later parts. All of it was informative and realistic, but towards the end, when things get really interesting, I felt like the author pulled back and we didn’t get what she was thinking at the time this all happened, but rather an itinerary of where she went. The book is best when it takes a moment …
It’s a shame that it took me this long to get around to absorbing what ought to be required biography reading for anyone studying U.S. history and culture. The author puts into perspective events that I often remember, though I was a child younger than she in those days. Her account of the obstacles confronting a bright, determined young woman of …
This is no flowery book – it is very simply written and stark in its descriptions. Very sad and terrible to think what this young girl went through/
I loved this book!! I grew up in the 60’s at the same time as the characters. I remember vividly the atrocities taking place in the South. To read a 1st hand account of the bravery of the Blacks (and Whites) that fought for freedom is humbling. It’s hard to believe, at least here in the North, the progress.
This first-hand account of growing up in the rural South in the days before King provides a glimpse into history that may be hard to get in other ways. It is well-written, and kept my interest through much of the book. The author would hardly be considered the “norm” perhaps — she had an exceptional work ethic and is brilliant. She worked as a …
A very good insight into life at that time.
The narrative is realistic and heartbreaking, yet inspirational at the same time. For anyone interested in Civil Rights activities from the perspective of African-
Americans in the 60’s, I recommend this book.
A really impressive memoir. Written 50 years ago, it remains relevant. After reading it, I searched for more information on the author, a remarkable woman.
Needs a sequel. I would like to know the rest of her story.
It’s interesting enough as a first person account of snippets of the author’s life. It is what it is. Not all of it rings true – not that it didn’t happen – but there is a lack of character development and major gaps in chronology that might make a reader lose interest.
This is written more like a “what I did last summer” composition for …
This is an inspirational and powerful autobiography of a woman born in Mississippi in 1940 who became a civil rights activist. Her account of the courage of the civil rights activists in the face of violent resistance in Mississippi is both terrifying and inspirational.