
Chosen by Oprah Daily as one of the Best Books to Pick Up in May 2021
“A fast-paced, nuanced, and impeccably researched account.” – The Guardian
“So dystopian and apocalyptic…an essential story with just a glimmer of hope.” – Sunday Times
Delve into The Ground Breaking by Scott Ellsworth, a gripping and essential exploration of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the worst single incident of racial violence in American history. Timed to coincide with its 100th anniversary, this powerful book recounts the destruction of Black Wall Street—a prosperous African American community in Tulsa, Oklahoma—on May 31, 1921, when a white mob reduced the thriving neighborhood to rubble.
Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed, and countless lives were lost or forever altered. Along with the devastation, the secrets of the atrocity were buried. Now, Scott Ellsworth, a Tulsa native and acclaimed historian, returns nearly four decades after his groundbreaking first account to uncover the full story. Teaming up with an African American forensic archaeologist whose family survived the massacre, Ellsworth investigates the search for mass graves, the identification of victims, and the reckoning with this dark chapter of history.
With riveting storytelling and meticulous research, The Ground Breaking is both a historical account and a call to confront America’s past, offering a chance for reflection, atonement, and healing. An essential read for anyone seeking to understand the legacy of racial violence and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Pages: 304Publication Date: 20 May 2021
Dimensions: 18cm x 22.2cm x 3.3cm