To change the future, we must learn from the past. This book is an excellent resource to learn from when one wants to gain more knowledge into the criminal justice system in the United States. Readers will be exposed to a long forgotten story and how the events in 1900 are rooted into events in 2021.

A meticulous excavation of a forgotten chapter in American history, that is, how white businesses and political leaders crushed the nascent interracial alliance forming between white and black laborers in New Orleans. Andrew Baker, a Bates College professor, documents the mobilization of the New Orleans police force to enforce White supremacy in the name of established white business interests. Utilizing the manhunt for Robert Charles, who shot a white police officer, as point of entry, Baker recreates the volatile race and class relations that characterized the Jim Crow era and gave birth to modern repressive police techniques. It is a fascinating story that needs to be told; however, the daily lives of African Americans fade into the background as does Robert Charles' murder. In fact, readers who assume that this murder is the primary focus of the book based on the book's subtitle and the description provided by the publisher may feel cheated. That said, this is a powerful story that sheds much light on contemporary issues with policing and systemic racism.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A story of police violence that exposes the historical roots of today's criminal justice.

This was such an eye opening book! I absolutely loved how well this book.was researched the author did an outstanding job writing this amazing book!
This book will take you on a journey that will break your heart ANF hopefully open some eyes!
I loved the story most of it. Its heart breaking at best. But something that needs to be talked about.

Thank you.NetGalley and New Press for letting me read this amazing ebook! So very much appreciated!