Overground Railroad

The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America

By: Candacy Taylor

Narrated by: Lisa Reneé Pitts

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book to explore the historical role and residual impact of the Green Book, a travel guide for Black motorists.

Published from 1936 to 1966, the Green Book was hailed as the "Black travel guide to America". At that time, it was very dangerous and difficult for African Americans to travel because Black travelers couldn't eat, sleep, or buy gas at most White-owned businesses. The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem. It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and Overground Railroad celebrates the stories of those who put their names in the book and stood up against segregation. It shows the history of the Green Book, how we arrived at our present historical moment, and how far we still have to go when it comes to race relations in America.

©2020 Candacy Taylor (P)2020 Tantor

So much History Revealed

With ever chapter read, new, unknown history was revealed. Even with such great inequities, systemic racism, and Jim Crow laws, Blacks proved yet again their determination to overcome and be free, and the Green Book helped them to safely navigate those dangerous travel barriers.

A must listen to

The Overground Railroad is the best book I have ever listen to sense I had become an audible member this book has so many valuable lessons and so much exciting history the narrator did a wonderful job and now reading this book I was so blown away by this book before listening to the book in its entirety I went and purchase the book as well to put in my library. The Overground Railroad is a must read or listen to you will not be disappointed.

Overall good

Enjoyed this book but: there is a strange amount of repetition in it. Also some oversimplification of legal principles and the narrator's perky voice is a bit much for me. I've heard other books she has narrated and found the same thing. She is talented no doubt--just a personal preference for me. I do recommend this book especially for people unaware of history or the current state of things.

The narrator’s voice

I loved this book, it taught me things that we did not learn in high school.

Must Read! For younger generations.

This is a must read for younger generations, than those who lived through it. As a 1980s baby white and suburban in a small town I had no idea. I wasnt raised to hate or see people different. I had little understanding from school or college about these issues and times. I cannot believe what happened and this is just a small sample Im sure. And what the repercussions of it are today. Author does get political, more in the beginning than the end (or she converted me more by the end through education). If you disagree with her politically, get past your differences and keep going, its worth it.

Ive started looking at the world through different eyes. Seeing things, such as TV shows I grew up with, with a different perspective. I still see the enjoyable show but also the undercurrents of prejudice there now that I missed before.

Read this and share with others. In traditional Green Book fashion.

It Makes it Real

The author has covered in depth how deeply rooted racism has woven itself around daily life and the striving toward normalcy of those in Black America who in early/mid 1900s wanted to simply take a vacation from time to time, using The Green Book as their "AAA" guide. It illuminated how the Green Book allowed them to get away from home for a "vacation", but not from the evils of racism in America. The book highlights the challenge of getting a loan to buy a car, buying a car, getting insured, having to avoid towns that banned Blacks after 6pm, getting a hotel room, using restroom, filling up the gas tank, getting a meal. It shows the many daily tasks white people take for granted, and yet, much hasn't changed. It is still dangerous for Blacks to travel. It highlights how while slavery is not legal, the the evil of racism has adapted to further put a stranglehold on Blacks via mass incarceration, the business implications of integration on Black-owned businesses, the difficulty of housing, and the persistent racial and socio-economic segregation. The "what we do next" part at the end provided actionable steps.

Great Book, worth the read. Entertaining . Rare .

Learned alot of new history i did not know before. Enjoyed this a lot. Rarely told history getting its day to be heard.

Oscar of books

You want to learn something you want to learn something amazing you want to read this book it teaches you so much of the green book it’s so much more than that she has a way to teach you history the hard parts and the celebrations in such a way that it makes you want to learn more and educate others

Narrator destroyed this for me! read it instead

I grew up knowing the Green Book, so I was eager to get this book. But the narrator is appalling! Her histrionic preachy style is SOOO condescending and boring, as if she's reading to first graders who may not follow or get the point. I'd hoped it was only for the prologue but nope, it seems to be the same in the body of the book. I'm returning this and will avoid the narrator (but not the author). What a shame. The Green Book was an important part of our lives