Born to a poor couple who were tenant farmers on a plantation in Mississippi; Anne Moody lived through some of the most dangerous days of the pre-civil rights era in the South. The week before she began high school came the news of Emmet Till’s lynching. Before then; she had "known the fear of hunger; hell; and the Devil. But now there was…the fear of being killed just because I was black." In that moment was born the passion for freedom and justice that would change her life.An all-A student whose dream of going to college is realized when she wins a basketball scholarship; she finally dares to join the NAACP in her junior year. Through the NAACP and later through CORE and SNCC she has first-hand experience of the demonstrations and sit-ins that were the mainstay of the civil rights movement; and the arrests and jailings; the shotguns; fire hoses; police dogs; billy clubs and deadly force that were used to destroy it.A deeply personal story but also a portrait of a turning point in our nation’s destiny; this autobiography lets us see history in the making; through the eyes of one of the footsoldiers in the civil rights movement.
#76328 in Books 1995-10-01 1995-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .79 x 5.16l; .63 #File Name: 0385014856368 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A must read. Even today...By C. CronkWhat a fabulous book about 1950's life in Iraq as a woman and what they faced and what their lives were like - many were so happy in their sheltered existences as part of the Sheik's "family". Truly an eye opening narrative. Highly recommend. I wonder if much has changed.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Beyond FascinatingBy Lula TorintzaThis is a great look at 1950s; rural; female; Iraqi culture. It was fascinating to read about a time and culture so different. The author actually lived in a rural community in Iraq for years so she thoroughly learned about the village lifestyle; and expectations of women in various levels of social interactions--home; family; community. It's a story about her experience and is in no way "text-bookish;" which made it an easy read. I also appreciate the author's respectful tone and willingness to learn with little negative judgment about cultural differences.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I bought this book for an Anthropology course; but ...By SarahI bought this book for an Anthropology course; but it is one that I won't be selling at the end of the year. Fernea is an engaging writer and despite this being an assigned reading; I found myself reading ahead. Fernea spent nearly two year living with the women of the Iraqi village and she learned much about them and their lives in the time period. However; her ethnography is not a dry description of what she learned. Instead; she presents that information through a series of anecdotes that tell about their lives and her struggle to fit into their lifestyle.
