About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherKnopf Doubleday Publishing Group

ISBN-100679403817

ISBN-139780679403814

eBay Product ID (ePID)52764136

Product Key Features

Number of Pages528 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication NameRace Beat : the Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation

Publication Year2006

SubjectUnited States / 20th Century, Media Studies, Civil Rights, Journalism

TypeTextbook

AuthorHank Klibanoff, Gene Roberts

Subject AreaPolitical Science, Social Science, Language Arts & Disciplines, History

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.8 in

Item Weight32 Oz

Item Length9.2 in

Item Width6.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2006-045251

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Edition22

Reviews"I can think of no better illustration of the indivisible relationship between democracy and a free press than this account of the journalists who chronicled the civil rights movement, particularly the editorialists whose powerful voices struggled to keep the South in the mainstream. Roberts and Klibanoff have produced not only a splendid anecdotal narrative about one of the greatest beats in history but also an humbling examination of the process by which truth reveals itself, often after society has exhausted all means of ignoring it." Diane McWhorter, author ofCarry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climatic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution "Roberts and Klibanoff have succeeded in telling the dramatic story of the extraordinary courage of great reporters like Bill Minor, Claude Sitton, John Herbers and Karl Flemingwar correspondents on native soilduring one of American journalism's finest hours." David Halberstam "A great book, and it could not be more timely. Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff remind us of one of the proudest moments in our history: the way the U.S. press rose to its challenge in covering the civil rights movement that led to the ending of the shameful segregated society of our recent past. Theirs is a wise, and powerful, rendering of an epic achievementone that, as Roberts and Klibanoff eloquently write, awakened the nation and summoned the best in the American character to right wrongs and uphold the proudest principles of our democracy." Haynes Johnson, Pulitzer-Prize winner for his coverage of the Selma civil rights crisis "This powerful, moving, well-researched account of the bravery and courage of the media at its finest hour is a must-read for every American, but especially for members of the press and for every student of journalism." Congressman John Lewis "A mountain of reporting,The Race Beatis about the courageous and unheralded black reporters who pioneered coverage of the historical insult of segregation, the white reporters who waded into the melee and forced America to pay attention, but it is also about southern journalists caught very publicly on the wrong side of history. With both sweep and a treasure of arresting detail, it is an important contribution to the history of 20th century America, and a vital portrait of the importance of journalism in our society." Mark Bowden, author ofGuests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam "The Race Beatis a splendid, highly readable and thoroughly researched account of the complete spectrum of journalists, black and white, good and badincluding those whose commitment, courage and sheer talent gave the movement for social justice the 'publicity' it deserved." Cynthia Tucker, editorial page editor,The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "A magnificent recounting of a tumultuous period in our history . . . Rich in detail, powerful and compelling . . . A reminder of the importance of the press to a democracy." --Anthony Marro,Newsday "Just when you think there's nothing left to say about the civil rights movement . . . A fascinating history of how the media handled that story." --Jon Wiener,The Los Angeles Times Book Review "Probing . . . Reverberates with large lessons in democracy and justice . . . Every gracefully written page . . . prompts big thoughts about the nature of America." --David K. Shipler,Columbia Journalism Review "Remarkable . . . A meticulously researched and nuanced account . . . Demonstrates how honest journalism . . . changed the American South." --E. Culpepper Clark,The Atlanta-Journal Constitution "The authors demonstrate the profound changes the movement wrought not only on U.S. social justice but also on American journalism." --Booklist "[A] gripping account of how America and the world found out about the Civil Rights movement." --Publishers Weekly "A sweeping, often engrossing narrative of the role that print and broadcast reporters played in the [civil rights] movement." --Library Journal "I can think of no better illustration of the indivisible relationship between democracy and a free press than this account of the journalists who chronicled the civil rights movement, particularly the editorialists whose powerful voices struggled to keep the South in the mainstream. Roberts and Klibanoff have produced not only a splendid anecdotal narrative about one of the greatest beats in history but also an humbling examination of the process by which truth reveals itself, often after society has exhausted all means of ignoring it." Diane McWhorter, author ofCarry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climatic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution "Roberts and Klibanoff have succeeded in telling the dramatic story of the extraordinary courage of great reporters like Bill Minor, Claude Sitton, John Herbers and Karl Flemingwar correspondents on native soilduring one of American journalism's finest hours." David Halberstam "A great book, and it could not be more timely. Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff remind us of one of the proudest moments in our history: the way the U.S. press rose to its challenge in covering the civil rights movement that led to the ending of the shameful segregated society of our recent past. Theirs is a wise, and powerful, rendering of an epic achievementone that, as Roberts and Klibanoff eloquently write, awakened the nation and summoned the best in the American character to right wrongs and uphold the proudest principles of our democracy." Haynes Johnson, Pulitzer-Prize winner for his coverage of the Selma civil rights crisis "This powerful, moving, well-researched account of the bravery and courage of the media at its finest hour is a must-read for every American, but especially for members of the press and for every student of journalism." Congressman John Lewis "A mountain of reporting,The Race Beatis about the courageous and unheralded black reporters who pioneered coverage of the historical insult of segregation, the white reporters who waded into the melee and forced America to pay attention, but it is also about southern journalists caught very publicly on the wrong side of history. With both sweep and a treasure of arresting detail, it is an important contribution to the history of 20th century America, and a vital portrait of the importance of journalism in our society." Mark Bowden,, "An important study of how journalists covered the civil rights movement. . . [An] impressively rich and critical book." --David J. Garrow,The New York Times "The Race Beatis a compelling reminder of the need for a vibrant and free press, with the resources and resourcefulness to shine a light on the nation's wrongs." --Sarah Schweitzer,Boston Globe "A masterpiece . . .The Race Beatis a riveting piece of social history that balances both its subjects brilliantly . . . There has never been a better study of the importance of a free press." --Thomas Lipscomb,The Philadelphia Inquirer "Reading this history . . . takes me back to my youth in vivid and intensely personal ways . . . It was at once one of the most terrible times in the nation's history and one of the most enthralling . . . The stories of these men . . . are essential to the history of the civil rights movement." --Jonathan Yardley,Washington Post Book World "A richly textured and balanced narrative that reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the news media." --Raymond Arsenault,The New York Times Book Review "A magnificent recounting of a tumultuous period in our history . . . Rich in detail, powerful and compelling . . . A reminder of the importance of the press to a democracy." --Anthony Marro,Newsday "Heroes of the civil rights movement . . . are brought to life through the eyes of journalists who covered them . . . Research forThe Race Beatis meticulous, uncovering many facts that have gone unreported in other books about the movement." --Jerry Mitchell,The Chicago Sun-Times "The Race Beathas good characters, good yarns and good thinking. Just as important, though, it's got a good heart." --David Gates,Newsweek "Just when you think there's nothing left to say about the civil rights movement . . . A fascinating history of how the media handled that story." --Jon Wiener,The Los Angeles Times Book Review "A smart and serious book . . .The Race Beatreminds us of the potential of the press to serve as a powerful tool for democracy." --Michael O'Donnell,Christian Science Monitor "The Race Beatis one of those remarkable works of history that make you see your own times more clearly." --Eric Alterman,The Nation "Bracing . . . Roberts and Klibanoff . . . use the prism of the reporters' experience to enhance understanding of the main storyline." --David Greenberg,The American Prospect "A work that is certain to take its place on the top shelf of books about the civil rights movement." --Ray Jenkins,The Baltimore Sun "Excellent . . .The Race Beatis a reminder that the newgathering business, done right, is capable of honor." --Bill Millsaps,Richmond Times-Dispatch "Remarkable . . . A meticulously researched and nuanced account . . . Demonstrates how honest journalism . . . changed the American South." --E. Culpepper Clark,The Atlanta-Journal Constitution "Powerful, absorbing . . . sheds much-needed light on an important era in American history."--Myron A. Marty,St. Louis Post-Dispatch "The Race Beatreminded me of the rejuvenating energy to be found on the right side of a great story."--Steve Duin,The Oregonian "Superb . . . Its scope is ambitious, its research is impressive and its journalistic portraits are memorable." --Craig Flournoy,Dallas Morning News "Finally, this epic is pulled together, and the stories could be in no better hands." --William McKeen,St. Petersburg Times "Reminds us of the heroism of civil rig, "An important study of how journalists covered the civil rights movement. . . [An] impressively rich and critical book." --David J. Garrow,The New York Times "Reading this history . . . takes me back to my youth in vivid and intensely personal ways . . . It was at once one of the most terrible times in the nation's history and one of the most enthralling . . . The stories of these men . . . are essential to the history of the civil rights movement." --Jonathan Yardley,Washington Post Book World "A magnificent recounting of a tumultuous period in our history . . . Rich in detail, powerful and compelling . . . A reminder of the importance of the press to a democracy." --Anthony Marro,Newsday "Heroes of the civil rights movement . . . are brought to life through the eyes of journalists who covered them . . . Research forThe Race Beatis meticulous, uncovering many facts that have gone unreported in other books about the movement." --Jerry Mitchell,The Chicago Sun-Times "The Race Beathas good characters, good yarns and good thinking. Just as important, though, it's got a good heart." --David Gates,Newsweek "Just when you think there's nothing left to say about the civil rights movement . . . A fascinating history of how the media handled that story." --Jon Wiener,The Los Angeles Times Book Review "A work that is certain to take its place on the top shelf of books about the civil rights movement." --Ray Jenkins,The Baltimore Sun "Probing . . . Reverberates with large lessons in democracy and justice . . . Every gracefully written page . . . prompts big thoughts about the nature of America." --David K. Shipler,Columbia Journalism Review "Excellent . . .The Race Beatis a reminder that the newgathering business, done right, is capable of honor." --Bill Millsaps,Richmond Times-Dispatch "Remarkable . . . A meticulously researched and nuanced account . . . Demonstrates how honest journalism . . . changed the American South." --E. Culpepper Clark,The Atlanta-Journal Constitution "The authors demonstrate the profound changes the movement wrought not only on U.S. social justice but also on American journalism." --Booklist "[A] gripping account of how America and the world found out about the Civil Rights movement." --Publishers Weekly "A sweeping, often engrossing narrative of the role that print and broadcast reporters played in the [civil rights] movement." --Library Journal "I can think of no better illustration of the indivisible relationship between democracy and a free press than this account of the journalists who chronicled the civil rights movement, particularly the editorialists whose powerful voices struggled to keep the South in the mainstream. Roberts and Klibanoff have produced not only a splendid anecdotal narrative about one of the greatest beats in history but also an humbling examination of the process by which truth reveals itself, often after society has exhausted all means of ignoring it." Diane McWhorter, author ofCarry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climatic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution "Roberts and Klibanoff have succeeded in telling the dramatic story of the extraordinary courage of great reporters like Bill Minor, Claude Sitton, John Herbers and Karl Flemingwar correspondents on native soilduring one of American journalism's finest hours." David Halberstam "A great book, and it could not be more timely. Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff remind us of one of the proudest moments in our history: the way the U.S. pre

IllustratedYes

Dewey Decimal070.44/93058

Table Of ContentCHAPTER 1:An American Dilemma:"An Astonishing Ignorance. . . " CHAPTER 2: "A Fighting Press" CHAPTER 3: Southern Editors in a Time of Ferment CHAPTER 4: Ashmore Views the South CHAPTER 5: TheBrownDecisions Harden the South CHAPTER 6: Into Mississippi CHAPTER 7: The Till Trial CHAPTER 8: Where Massive and Passive Resistance Meet CHAPTER 9: Alabama CHAPTER 10: Toward Little Rock CHAPTER 11: Little Rock Showdown CHAPTER 12: New Eyes on the Old South CHAPTER 13: Backfire in Virginia CHAPTER 14: From Sit-ins to SNCC CHAPTER 15: Alabama versus theTimes, Freedom Riders versus the South CHAPTER 16: Albany CHAPTER 17: Ole Miss CHAPTER 18: Wallace and King CHAPTER 19: Defiance at Close Range CHAPTER 20: The Killing Season CHAPTER 21: Freedom Summer CHAPTER 22: Selma CHAPTER 23: Beyond Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

SynopsisThis is the story of how America awakened to its race problem, of how a nation that longed for unity after World War II came instead to see, hear, and learn about the shocking indignities and injustices of racial segregation in the South-and the brutality used to enforce it. It is the story of how the nation's press, after decades of ignoring the problem, came to recognize the importance of the civil rights struggle and turn it into the most significant domestic news event of the twentieth century. Drawing on private correspondence, notes from secret meetings, unpublished articles, and interviews, veteran journalists Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff go behind the headlines and datelines to show how a dedicated cadre of newsmen-first black reporters, then liberal southern editors, then reporters and photographers from the national press and the broadcast media-revealed to a nation its most shameful shortcomings and propelled its citizens to act. We watch the black press move bravely into the front row of the confrontation, only to be attacked and kept away from the action. Following the Supreme Court's 1954 decision striking down school segregation and the South's mobilization against it, we see a growing number of white reporters venture South to cover the Emmett Till murder trial, the Montgomery bus boycott, and the integration of the University of Alabama. We witness some southern editors joining the call for massive resistance and working with segregationist organizations to thwart compliance. But we also see a handful of other southern editors write forcefully and daringly for obedience to federal mandates, signaling to the nation that moderate forces were prepared to push the region into the mainstream. The pace quickens in Little Rock, where reporters test the boundaries of journalistic integrity, then gain momentum as they cover shuttered schools in Virginia, sit-ins in North Carolina, mob-led riots in Mississippi, Freedom Ride buses being set afire, fire hoses and dogs in Birmingham, and long, tense marches through the rural South. For many journalists, the conditions they found, the fear they felt, and the violence they saw were transforming. Their growing disgust matched the mounting countrywide outrage asThe New York Times,Newsweek, NBC News, and other major news organizations, many of them headed by southerners, turned a regional story into a national drama. Meticulously researched and vividly rendered,The Race Beatis an unprecedented account of one of the most volatile periods in our nation's history, as told by those who covered it.

LC Classification NumberPN4888.R3R63 2006