Devil in the Grove
By Gilbert King
- Release Date: 2012-03-06
- Genre: U.S. History
Description
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
“A must-read, cannot-put-down history.” — Thomas Friedman, New York Times
Arguably the most important American lawyer of the twentieth century, Thurgood Marshall was on the verge of bringing the landmark suit Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court when he became embroiled in a case that threatened to change the course of the civil rights movement and cost him his life.
In 1949, Florida's orange industry was booming, and citrus barons got rich on the backs of cheap Jim Crow labor with the help of Sheriff Willis V. McCall, who ruled Lake County with murderous resolve. When a white seventeen-year-old girl cried rape, McCall pursued four young black men who dared envision a future for themselves beyond the groves. The Ku Klux Klan joined the hunt, hell-bent on lynching the men who came to be known as "the Groveland Boys."
Associates thought it was suicidal for Marshall to wade into the "Florida Terror," but the young lawyer would not shrink from the fight despite continuous death threats against him.
Drawing on a wealth of never-before-published material, including the FBI's unredacted Groveland case files, as well as unprecedented access to the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund files, Gilbert King shines new light on this remarkable civil rights crusader.
Reviews
Must Read
5By Jonah Chadwick GriegoGut wrenching, but important read. The imagery and brutality conveyed by the author truly force the reader to ask oneself how much progress has really been made in civil rights for African-Americans in America. What the Groveland 4 had to endure...words do not exist. What is the most astonishing is that the event and fallout are so recent that people associated are still alive. I highly recommend.Justice Thurgood Marshall is what legends are made of
5By Natacha FontaineThis is a brilliantly written piece of African American history and our civil rights leaders.Stunning!
5By rottenflowerA remarkable bit of history that should be widely shared. We shouldn't run from our past, but seek to understand it and grow from it. This book evoked both sadness and anger in me.A thrilling, inspiring story of courage & tenacity in the long struggle for racial equality
5By osavageThis story of a long-forgotten milepost on the road to racial equality (that we're still traveling) was an astounding read. The Pulitzer was richly deserved. Bravo, Mr. King!Devil in the Grove
5By Sweaty DogOne of the best books I've read in a long time...and I've read a few over the years (decades would be more to the point). I couldn't put it down. Keep up the good work Mr. King.Mt
5By NoonerrallyAbsolutely compelling; chilling, horrific, scary, heart rending, a real page turner. What a massive tribute to a tireless advocate! Should be a must read!