Nancy Johnson's People of Means is a thought-provoking novel about the experiences of Black Americans in the twentieth century. It is a richly researched book that brings to life 1960s Nashville and 1990s Chicago and explores the ongoing struggle to balance the fight for racial equality with the desire for personal fulfillment. I was particularly struck by the emphasis placed on Black excellence in Freda and Tulip's family and the pressure that these women feel to live up to that expectation while also engaging in the fight for civil rights. This book provides a great opportunity for book clubs and other groups to talk about topics that can be difficult to discuss. A must-read!

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

This is another beautiful, sensitive portrait of a Black family during the post -WWII years. The focus is on mother Freda and daughter, Tulip. Though it is a family saga, I found it much more important and valuable, especially for younger readers. The book puts this family, The Gilroys, in the center of the civil rights struggle. I know that I will recommend it to my students. It is a book that reminds me of how a piece of well written fiction can serve as a vehicle for understanding an era of history.

Johnson takes the reader through social history and mores, fashions are included. It is so captivating that the reader has to realize they are getting a history lesson. I loved the characters and their relationships. Johnson reminds us of how large events can change our individual futures.

I really enjoyed this novel. As a historian, I appreciated the accuracy of the portrayal of the significant events and participants of the Civil Rights struggle.

Thank you Netgalley for this beautiful novel.

Nancy Johnson has written a powerful exploration of facing the stark realities of class and race in both 1963 and in 1992 and the historic events surrounding racial activism. Her characters and settings are vividly written with compassion, strength and resolve. Readers will feel transported by the powerful and compelling voices, the choices they make, and will understand where we, as a nation, have been, and where we still strive to be. People of Means will be a must read for book clubs.