Medgar and Myrlie

Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America

By: Joy-Ann Reid

Narrated by: Joy-Ann Reid

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“Medgar Evers deserves a place alongside Malcolm X and Dr. King in our historical memory. Evers, with Myrlie as his partner in activism and in life, was doing civil rights work in the single most hostile and dangerous environment in America.”—from Medgar and Myrlie

By MSNBC's Joy-Ann Reid, a triumphant work of biography that repositions slain Civil Rights pioneer Medgar Evers at the heart of America's struggle for freedom, and celebrates Myrlie Evers's extraordinary activism after her husband's assassination in the driveway of their Mississippi home.

"I love this book. The empathic, brilliant, and wise Joy Reid has brought us the poignant, fascinating inside story of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, transformational leaders who confronted pure evil and risked their lives to ensure that all American children might grow up in a United States that was more just. As Reid shows us, that painful task is now more urgent than ever.” — Michael Beschloss

Myrlie Louise Beasley met Medgar Evers on her first day of college. They fell in love at first sight, married just one year later, and Myrlie left school to focus on their growing family.

Medgar became the field secretary for the Mississippi branch of the NAACP, charged with beating back the most intractable and violent resistance to black voting rights in the country. Myrlie served as Medgar’s secretary and confidant, working hand in hand with him as they struggled against public accommodations and school segregation, lynching, violence, and sheer despair within their state’s “black belt.” They fought to desegregate the intractable University of Mississippi, organized picket lines and boycotts, despite repeated terroristic threats, including the 1962 firebombing of their home, where they lived with their three young children.

On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers became the highest profile victim of Klan-related assassination of a black civil rights leader at that time; gunned down in the couple’s driveway in Jackson. In the wake of his tragic death, Myrlie carried on their civil rights legacy; writing a book about Medgar’s fight, trying to win a congressional seat, and becoming a leader of the NAACP in her own right.

In this groundbreaking and thrilling account of two heroes of the civil rights movement, Joy-Ann Reid uses Medgar and Myrlie’s relationship as a lens through which to explore the on-the-ground work that went into winning basic rights for Black Americans, and the repercussions that still resonate today.

©2023 Joy-Ann Reid (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

The courage and perseverance of black Americans during segregation.

I learned a lot about segregation struggles in America and the many unsung and celebrated heroes of the past.

Medger ✊🏾

This is a great love story about an underappreciated civil rights leader and his family. It’s beautiful, sad, inspiring, and the outcome, unfortunately, was inevitable.

A needed and well-told story

Joy Ann Reid narrated her own book which I liked. She is an excellent writer and moves through the facts deftly without getting bogged down. She also conveys the emotions of those of whom she writes. I highly recommend this book.

Very well written

This biography was ripe with feeling and magnificently documented. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am pleasantly surprised to know that Myrlie Evers Williams is still living at 90 years old in 2024.

Excellent story telling

I am a joy Reid fan, and so I knew it would be a good listen, However, this book was damn good! I Appreciated so much, the depth and breadth of the story that was not just informative, but moving and so well told. I am so grateful to this heroic couple. I finished the book a week ago and Medgar and Myrlie are are still on my mind. Their sacrifices have made my life easier, and my commitment to the struggle for justice stronger.

Joy Ann Reid, “Medgar and Myrlie”was worth the wait,

Joy this was a story that needed to be told. Your dedication, extensive research, passion, and personal incites were eye opening. This was well written and I liked that you were the narrator. The only thing that I wish you had done was to do an event, on your book tour, in Florida. As I saw on a bumper sticker, “God is not a Republican.” There are many Democrats, that are supportive, believe in the truth, and love our country. Although many people have paid the ultimate price, for what they believe in, it is worth, continuing to fight for, no matter what the price! Thank you for sharing their story with us. RJS Wesley Chapel, Fl.

Enlightening!

I learned so much that I was unaware of about Mr. Evers. I'm surprised he isn't more well known the way MLK and Malcolm X are. Ms. Reid did an excellent job to do just that.

A treasure!

This story and history is a true treasure and tells the story of the Evers.👍👍

The power of the pledge to freedom

This book surprised me with so many details and subsequent emotions a true love, story of Myrlie and Medgar, but also the real courage with the challenges to bring freedom to all and the Evers certainly did their part. Very moving book would highly recommend the Reid❤️

A must read!

Thank you for telling the story that too many people know nothing about. I grew up in Mississippi in the late seventies, and didn't know who Medgar Evers was until I was in my forties. Thank you again! I loved hearing your voice on the Audible version of this book.