Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. Those Who Saw the Sun is a collection of interviews from African Americans who grew up in the time of Jim Crow/Civil Rights. Each story was a unique look into their lives-schooling, family life, events related to racism, etc- the lessons they learned and their thoughts for the future. The common thought I had while reading this was to have hope. Even as they described living through or adjacent to events that would (and did) destroy lives, you have to have hope. This comes through community and using your gifts to serve that community. Highly recommend.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Those Who Saw the Sun is a beautifully-written collection of short stories which I took my sweet time on, and re-read to fully grasp the book and any potential underlying motives. With this, I genuinely hope this gets the recognition it deserves, as it sheds light on important moments of history. I leave readers of this review to decide what they think of the book, but I urge it to be read.

Those Who Saw the Sun is an oral history collection of people. who share their experiences of what it was like to live as a Black person in the Jim Crow South. Each person shares their personal experience growing up in the South, the obstacles they faced and their families faced, their involvement in civil rights and more. Each account felt raw and honest and some of the subjects went on to live pretty remarkable lives. I recommend this to history buffs. I am appreciative of books like this one who teach history through those who have lived it. It makes it that much more personal to the reader and far more impactful than a straight dry history of the time period.

This book is crucial and key for everyone to read. Absolutely moving, absolutely necessary, and absolutely unforgettable. This book tells the stories that have been silenced, and was done so eloquently.