I've somehow found myself reading a lot of histories about people unawares. Perhaps I'm less anthropocentric than others, but the title suggests more of a focus on the development of the theory rather than the people. Yet, here we have almost nothing about the theory ... all of the history is centred on the people who created, debated, celebrated, and defended it.

I'm bumping up the rating because we're now living in another Nazi-inspired era.

This is a text filled with stories. Most of the stories are rather personal: about relationships, great minds coming together, battlegrounds of ideology and basic human rights, and the meeting of various important figures who set the stage for critical race theory and then boldly trekked across it.

I appreciated that the authors drew out hidden histories. Even critical race theory is filled with sexism and other forms of non-racist subjugation and erasure. They write: "We believe that stories, parables, chronicles, and narratives are potent devices for analyzing mindset and ideology," and this rings true.

At the same time, this was filled with a lot of encyclopedia-like exposition and quotes. Meticulously quoted, but almost overdone. Very little of the text felt like a story in the sense I was expecting from the quote above. I had to put it down and come back to it when external matters inspired me to pursue finishing the book.

I also felt like, aside from a few figures, very little coverage is paid to some rather important folks, notably Patricia Williams and Kimberlé Crenshaw. I leave this book feeling like I know a lot about the early days (including all the matrimonial bonds and moving here and there and hobbies that had little to do with the main thread) and very little about the contemporary actors, especially these two! Very little about intersectionality and I think nothing on the matrix of domination (the brainchildren of Crenshaw and Williams, respectively) exists here. I know these are part of or coupled with critical race theory and not its core, but they are substantial and, I think, the average reader would expect coverage, or at least why they are too tangential to cover.

The most important takeaway for me was that it's been a struggle, and is likely to continue to be a struggle, especially with the return of our modern American dictator and friends. Read this and remember that history repeats, and we must not capitulate. Say no to Harvard; say no to the government/autocracy; say yes to basic human rights.

The Origins of Critical Race Theory: The People and Ideas That Created a Movement is a thoughtful and engaging deep dive into how Critical Race Theory (CRT) came to be. Instead of just defining CRT in broad strokes, the book focuses on the people who built the movement and the ideas that shaped their work.

Martinez and Smith do a great job of making the material accessible without watering it down. They unpack complex legal and social theories in a way that doesn’t feel like reading a dense academic text. Instead, the book reads like a guided tour through the intellectual history of CRT, showing how it grew out of the Civil Rights Movement and why it remains so relevant today.

One of the book’s strengths is how it pushes back against the misinformation surrounding CRT. The authors make it clear that CRT isn’t some recent invention meant to divide people. Rather, it’s a decades-old framework that examines how race and law intersect. For readers who want a solid, well-researched introduction to CRT without the political noise, this book delivers.

The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what CRT actually is, where it came from, and why it matters. Whether you're new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, it offers a compelling and clear-eyed perspective on one of the most debated intellectual movements of our time.

“The Origins of Critical Race Theory” by Aja Y. Martinez and Robert O. Smith is a must-read for anyone tired of the confusion and ready to cut through the noise surrounding CRT. Having witnessed the debate become twisted and distorted, I can confidently say this book sets the record straight. CRT is an academic framework that examines how systemic racism is embedded in American institutions. It wasn’t created to stir up panic or invade classrooms—it began in law schools as a tool to address racial inequality in the justice system.

The book doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into CRT’s true origins, debunking the myths that surround it. Martinez and Smith do an outstanding job tracing the development of CRT through influential figures like Derrick Bell, Richard Delgado, and Jean Stefancic. They take readers through the history, unpack the layers, and reveal CRT as an intellectual continuation of the Civil Rights Movement—a powerful response to injustice in America.

What I appreciated most about this book is that it never felt like a dry, academic lecture. Instead, it’s a compelling, accessible narrative that kept me engaged from start to finish. Martinez and Smith explore the debates, hidden influences, and personal challenges that shaped CRT, making it much more than just legal jargon. And the sections on Derrick Bell, the first tenured Black professor at Harvard Law School? Truly inspiring. Bell had a vision and the unwavering determination to bring it to life.

If you’re tired of the false narratives and genuinely want to understand what CRT is all about, this book is your go-to guide. It’s not just another history lesson—it’s a wake-up call. Rejecting CRT means rejecting progress, and anyone who cares about truth, justice, and equity should read this book. “The Origins of Critical Race Theory” is essential for anyone serious about the fight for a fairer, more just society.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC—it was definitely worth it!

This book provides a good overview of CRT and would benefit anyone who doesn't understand what CRT is really about.