People of Means by Nancy Johnson is a book that will stick with you for a long time. It tells the story of a mom, Freda, who was affected by the Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee in the early 60s and her daughter, Tulip, who is affected by the beating of Rodney King in the early 90s. It really made me think about where we were as a nation 60 years ago, 30 years ago, and today when it comes to equal rights for all. This would be a fantastic book club pick. Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the advance digital copy of this book.

This was a good dual timeline historical fiction novel that also explores family relationships. One thread of the book is the Civil Rights era in the 1960s south. The other is modern day Chicago. The main characters we follow are Freda, the mother in the 1960's south and Tulip, in modern day, an ambitious young woman in public relationship.
For me, the novel is strongest in the 1960's Civil Rights thread and in the exploration of the relationship between mother and daughter and of themselves. When it is in present day, the novel lapses into stereotypical racism which while it is, of course, very much present, there are few surprises and allows the author to lapse into delivering messages in a heavy handed manner. I think the novel was strongest in relaying the events in both time periods and letting the readers see the racism that still exists than when the character delivers a speech about it. I also thought the ending, which I won't reveal here, was a little obvious.
That said, the book was engaging and there was strong character development. I would give it a solid 4.25 stars.
I listened to about half the book on audio and the narrator was good, with good inflection as she read the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow and Harper Adult Audio for providing me with print/audio version of this engaging book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well- told and interesting story about 2 black women - Freda in the 1960s and Tulip, her daughter, in the 1990s - who become involved in the civil rights movements of their times. The stories of how they became involved, how their involvement changed their lives - in both positive and negative ways - and the aftermath of their involvement sheds light on how similar these two eras are and how much remains to be done.

For readers who enjoy a slow, lyrical story with a dual timeline "People of Means" is an important look into the Civil Rights movement. The novel begins during the heart of the Civil Rights movement and jumps back and forth to the 90s with the main character's daughter and her experience with the Rodney King police assault and subsequent riots. This book is filled with love, family, history and the resilient spirit.

**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

I liked it but it drug on at points and it sort of read like a book club book. however it talked about important topics and the end did have me teary eyed so I still suggest reading it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Lately, because of the stresses of life, I’ve been reading, fast, paced, urban lit, which is not my usual fair; however, it’s all my brain would really allow me to do for the time being. When I saw this book become available, I was hesitant to read it, because I knew it would require me to think and feel. That’s exactly what it did, and I’m very glad that I took a chance on reading it. The writing was fantastic. It took you directly to the place and hit you in the heart when it needed to. The story of course, it should go without saying given the subject matter, was very timely and thought-provoking. It took me back to that summer in LA and it also invited me on a trip to a time before I was even born and allowed me to see so many parallels between the mother and daughter in this story. I almost wish that we could’ve gotten more of what happened with Freda when she got the chance to simply be herself. To honor herself. To love herself. But perhaps that is fodder for another book. This was really well done.

This story happens across two time periods approximately 30 years apart - the civil rights movement in the 1960s and the immediate aftermath of the Rodney King police beating in the early 1990s. And, the timing of its release in 2025 comes after another 30 years filled with (some) hope and (a great deal of) devastation around racial equality.

I was a young adult in 1992 and remember very clearly what happened to Rodney King: the beating, the lying, the riots, the trial, the acquittal… but I realized while reading this book that I did NOT internalize what it all meant, the overwhelming and ongoing fight to be seen as equal and deserving of respect, of basic human decency, for a large number of people. And, because most of us have not looked in the mirror and asked the tough questions, we are still here…with Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many others.

This is a novel of two women, mother and daughter, struggling with many of the same challenges, the same concerns, and the same desires to make a change when society is designed to maintain the status quo. Overt racism in the 60s and more subtle, but just as insidious, office politics/micro-aggressions in the 90s. How far would you go to fight for your community, your family, yourself?

Please note: I received a digital copy from NetGalley & William Morrow in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

A story about how activism touched a mother’s and daughter’s lives. With a dual time line the reader gets two college students of age during the 1960s and 1990s. I liked that I learned while being entertained by the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed this book. It is the story of a mother and daughter both involved in social change. In 1959 Freda Gilroy is enrolled in Fisk University. She soon becomes aware of racial injustices. Even though her parents encourage her to just leave it alone, she becomes involved in the movement for social strange. She also becomes involved with two men and is not sure which one she wants to marry. Things soon get out of hand, and she is forced to make some decisions. In 1992 Chicago, her daughter Tulip also becomes involved in protests and joins the fight for social equality. This story is about Civil Rights, but at its heart it is a mother-daughter story. It is a good read!

I loved the dual timeline in People of Means….it was interesting how things have both changed and stayed the same…my favorite part of the book was Freda’s friendship/relationship with Darius.

𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗦 follows mother and daughter, Freda and Tulip, as they both fight for civil rights, Freda during the 1960s while attending Fisk University in Nashville and Tulip in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict in 1990's Chicago. While the timelines take place 60 and 30 years ago, many of the issues addressed - including racism, sexism and economic inequality - are unfortunately still timely today. What struck me most while reading is that we should have made more progress in eradicating these by now, and it terrifies me that the strides we have made are under attack.

Along those lines, two passages really inspired me in terms of taking a stand like Freda and Tulip and others in the novel do. One is a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. - "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor polite not popular. But he must do it because conscience tells him it is right." And the other is from the author's note at the end - "You don't need to have a fancy degree, title or money to have means - just the grit and gumption to live and love and leave your imprint on the world."

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to William Morrow for the copy to review.

Solid generational book. It wasn't my favorite, but also wasn't my least favorite. There were some repetitiveness and slow moments. Thank you NetGalley.

This novel explores family, history, and the personal costs of fighting for justice. Freda Gilroy’s story, set against the backdrop of 1950s Fisk University, is one of resilience and internal conflict as she navigates the complexities of her own ambitions, her family’s expectations, and the intense political climate of the Jim Crow South. Her struggle between love and duty and her reluctant yet undeniable involvement in the civil rights movement form the emotional heart of the narrative.

Fast forward to 1992, and Freda’s daughter Tulip faces her battles in a corporate world full of microaggressions and systemic barriers. Like her mother, Tulip must choose between personal gain and standing up for what’s right. The parallel journeys of mother and daughter, separated by decades but united by their commitment to justice, make this a deeply compelling and thought-provoking read.

With rich historical context, complex characters, and a poignant exploration of racial inequality and sacrifice, this book will resonate with anyone interested in the intersection of personal and social change. A truly unforgettable story about the courage it takes to challenge the status quo, Freda’s Legacy is a testament to the power of individual and collective action in pursuing justice.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is told in dual timelines. It follows Freda in the 1960s and her daughter, Tulip, in the 1990s. Both mother and daughter find themselves dealing with similar challenges, and we see them decide if they are willing to join the fight for justice and equality.

There are so many important themes throughout this book that make you reflect on yourself and the world. Unfortunately, we still see so many of the same racial injustices today.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it!

People of Means
By Nancy Johnson
Out now!

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy of People of Means!

"But you don't need to have a fancy degree, title, or money to have means-just the grit and gumption to live and love and leave your imprint on the world. By that definition, we all have the capacity to be people of means. The question is what we do with those means."
-Nancy Johnson

Two POVs, a mother in the 1960s attending Fisk University as a Mathematics student, and a daughter in the 1990s as a young professional working towards a promotion with her PR company, have more in common than they would appear. They are both one decision away from a completely different life.

What a time for this book to be released when our country risks the undoing of so much work towards racial equality. A story about family ties, relationships, seeing how far someone is willing to go, reliving the Civil Rights era, the concept of "black excellence", and continuing to overcome. People of Means would make for great discussion amongst a book club and would serve as a great educational resource to those who did not live through it.

...and I love the colors of this cover 😊

This book was an Awesome Read, I enjoyed it and will definitely purchase it and recommend it to my friends!

Thank you Netgalley!

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Club Girls for sending an advance reader copy of this novel to me. This would certainly be a good book for club discussions, focusing on prejudice and Civil Rights. I felt there was a lot of repetitiveness, so I got a little tired of it. But overall, it was a good book, with parallels between a mother and daughter. I can’t imagine the pressure to succeed got your entire race!

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

This isn't just another historical fiction novel. It's a raw, honest look at race, success, and the price we pay for progress. Johnson brings both 1959 and 1992 to vivid life, showing how the past echoes into the present. I love a dual timeline story so this was great for me.

In this current times think this is a great read that shows that we still havent progressed as far as people think. Loving the parallels of the movements that is at play here.

All in all a really good read.

Another absolute winner from Nancy Johnson, set in 1960’s Nashville and 1990’s Chicago. Freda is a young Black woman attending Fisk University, a daughter of parents who believed in Black excellence. Her parents did not want her to get involved in the civil rights movement, but as the sit ins and peaceful protests took hold, Freda could not turn away. In the 1990’s, Freda’s daughter Tulip was also conflicted whether to focus on her PR career, or get involved in the community after the beating of Rodney King in LA brought more issues to light. The depth of their relationships with each other and with their significant others enhanced the novel. This is a most important book, particularly as we face a new Presidential administration determined to end DEI, and turn back the civil rights that were so hard fought. I highly recommend this important, well written work of historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was excited to review “People of Means” by Nancy Johnson, who also wrote “The Kindest Lie.”

“People of Means” tells the story of a Black mother and daughter. Freda moves from Chicago to Nashville to start Fisk University in 1959. In 1992, Tulip works in Chicago-based PR firm doing the time of the Rodney King riots. Both women face racial unrest and are exposed to new people and ways of thinking.

Though the book takes places during two different time periods, it’s very current in the perspective it offers on social justice. Yet, this novel always does an excellent job in examining the mother-daughter dynamic. I found Johnson’s prose to be both memorable and poignant.

Thanks to Net Galley, Nancy Johnson, and the publisher for a chance to read this compelling book.