TL;DR
MEDGAR & MYRLIE is a biography of civil rights icons Medgar and Myrlie Evers, a couple whose lives were dedicated to fighting for equality and justice. Drawing upon family archives and interviews with people who knew Medgar and Myrlie, Joy-Ann Reid paints a picture of two extraordinary individuals and a love story that would change the course of history.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
Writing Background
Reid was inspired to write MEDGAR & MYRLIE after hearing Myrlie Evers speak at a conference. She was impressed by Myrlie’s strength and resilience, and she wanted to learn more about her and her husband.
Author’s Introduction
Joy-Ann Reid is an MSNBC host and the author of several books, including The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Selling of the American Soul.
Key Insights
- Medgar Evers was a field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and played a key role in the desegregation of the University of Mississippi.
- Myrlie Evers was a civil rights activist in her own right. She worked to raise awareness of the civil rights movement and helped to organize voter registration drives.
- The couple’s marriage was a source of strength and support for both of them. They faced many challenges together, including threats and violence, but they never gave up on their dream of a more just and equal society.
- Medgar Evers was assassinated by a white supremacist in 1963. Myrlie Evers continued to work for civil rights after her husband’s death, and she eventually became the first chair of the Medgar Evers Institute.
Chapter Summary
- The book begins with a prologue that describes the assassination of Medgar Evers.
- The first chapter provides a brief overview of Medgar’s childhood and early life.
- The second chapter focuses on Medgar’s military service and his involvement in the civil rights movement.
- The third chapter tells the story of Medgar and Myrlie’s courtship and marriage.
- The fourth chapter describes the couple’s work in the civil rights movement, including their involvement in the desegregation of the University of Mississippi.
- The fifth chapter covers the events leading up to Medgar’s assassination and the aftermath of his death.
- The sixth chapter focuses on Myrlie’s life after Medgar’s death. She continued to work for civil rights and eventually became the first chair of the Medgar Evers Institute.
Conclusion
MEDGAR & MYRLIE is a powerful and moving story of love, loss, and the fight for justice. Reid’s writing is clear and engaging, and she brings the Evers’ story to life. This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the civil rights movement or in the lives of two extraordinary individuals.
Others
MEDGAR & MYRLIE has received widespread critical acclaim. It was named one of the best books of the year by several publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR.