About the Author

A former reporter and anchor for a CBS radio affiliate, Joyce King is an award-winning twenty-year broadcast veteran. She also writes guest columns and opinion pieces for USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Dallas Morning News. This is her first book. She lives in Dallas.

Reviews

“A gripping account of an unimaginably brutal murder . . . [and] a lesson in how to look racism in the eye and not blink.” —O, The Oprah Magazine

“[A]chieves its greatest possible goal: setting the event in history as a disturbing record of continued American racism.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“[A] remarkable balance of candor, clarity and feeling.” —Los Angeles Times

[S]hows readers a thriving subculture of hatred few of us will ever encounter.” —Austin American-Statesman

“[R]iveting. . . . Exceptional reporting takes the reader behind the headlines and through each aspect of this emotionally wrenching case.” —Arizona Daily Star

What was possibly the most heinous crime of the last few decades unfolded on a Texas back road in 1998 when three young whites wrapped a chain around an African American man and dragged him to his death behind their truck. Until the dragging of James Byrd Jr. some of us were hopeful (or nave) enough to think that we had seen an end to such virulent racism. African American radio reporter King covers each of the three trials that followed the atrocity. She does not offer much drama the identity of the perpetrators was apparent from the start or much insight into how such a crime could have happened. Certainly, alcohol played a part, as did the racially polarizing prison experience of two of the killers, but past that we get no real perspective on why this horrible event occurred. What King does present, in addition to straight reportage, is her perspective as an African American. She relates her personal experiences as a black in the South and discusses her reactions to the trials as well as to the white authorities who handled the case. Dina Temple-Raston's A Death in Texas focuses more on the politics and agendas of various segments of the small town. While King's book does not offer explanations, it does make a strong statement. Recommended for all public libraries. Jim Burns, Jacksonville P.L., FL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

"A gripping account of an unimaginably brutal murder . . . [and] a lesson in how to look racism in the eye and not blink." -O, The Oprah Magazine

"[A]chieves its greatest possible goal: setting the event in history as a disturbing record of continued American racism." -San Francisco Chronicle

"[A] remarkable balance of candor, clarity and feeling." -Los Angeles Times

[S]hows readers a thriving subculture of hatred few of us will ever encounter." -Austin American-Statesman

"[R]iveting. . . . Exceptional reporting takes the reader behind the headlines and through each aspect of this emotionally wrenching case." -Arizona Daily Star