The Race Beat

The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation

By: Gene Roberts, Hank Klibanoff

Narrated by: Richard Allen

Pulitzer Prize, History, 2007

Here 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 20th 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Drawing on private correspondence, notes from secret meetings, unpublished articles, and interviews, veteran journalists Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff go behind the headlines and datelines to show how a dedicated cadre of newsmen -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.

©2007 Gene Roberts (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This Pulitzer-winning chronicle of the role the news media played in shaping the civil rights movement makes its belated audio debut. Richard Allen undertakes the vocal depictions of the players from across the race-relations spectrum with tremendous skill. He manages to portray characters instead of caricatures as the sweeping real-life drama unfolds." (Publishers Weekly)

Gripping and important

For all those misguided people that hate the media this is a must listen/read. A great and important story of the quest for civil rights and the important role of an independent media.

Superb history, well read

I've studied a fair amount of the civil rights movement but still learned a ton from this book. The history is often riveting and I couldn't have asked for a better reader. Highly recommended.

Relentless

Reviewed pursuit of this part of our history, difficult and challenging. I personally result the result.

Civil Rights Struggle and Newspapers

Here Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff tell the story of the civil rights movement through the lense of the newspaper coverage and manipulation of same. This is an interesting approach and there is much to be learned about the working of southern and northern coverage as well as the importance of photo journalism to raising community awareness. The story contained in the text is not new, but the details of how newspapers and magazines such as Life covered the movement is informative if one is unware. There was less in this book about media influence and inner workings than about the movement and key players in it. The book is informative none-the-less and anyone interested in media in general and newspapers in particular in the context of the civil rights movement will find it interesting. The reading of Richard Allen is very good.

Should be required reading for all

This was fantastically written and informative. I couldn’t put it down. I dont understand why more people aren’t talking about this book or why its not on more black history month book lists. SO GOOD! You wont regret getting this book. I even have it in paperback now.

A fascinating inside look at history

Histories of the civil rights movement are abundant but this book focuses on those that wrote that history - the journalists.
The book brings their efforts alive and awakens the reader to the struggles and dangers they faced in simply getting the truth out. Reporters from the black newspapers excluded because of their race; small town editors taking brave stands that could cost them advertising; Northern writers not understanding the culture. Publications that are now respected that can not but be ashamed at their past.
All are included and all are worth your time.

So much important information here.

It never ceases to amaze me that, although I was well educated about the civil rights movement, I really knew so little. This book gives a very well rounded introduction and summary. Those reporters on the race beat deserve our honor as heroes and patriots along with John Lewis, Fred Shuttlesworth, and all the civil rights workers who gave their lives and suffered for the freedoms that we all claim to care about. Please read this book

Civil rights in perspective

In dramatic form that mirrors the best of the journalism described in the book, the authors put the civil rights movement into a perspective that would probably require reading volumes of scholarly research to replicate. I now believe I have a more insightful view of an era I lived through as a spectator.

Excellent Narrative

Thoroughly engrossing stories of one of the country's most historically significant periods. Very well done.

Amazing.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Race Beat to be better than the print version?

The first part of the book is a bit of a slog as an audiobook because there are so many names being listed that it's difficult to keep everyone straight. However, after that initial bit I had no problems--Richard Allen does a great job with the narration and makes a lot of the scenes really come to life with his skillful use of voices.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Race Beat?

The chapter on the riots at Ole Miss was truly harrowing.

Any additional comments?

I thought this book sounded a little dry when I first saw it, but ended up loving it. Definitely worth giving a try if you have an interest in the era!