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Backtalker: An American Memoir
A Simon & Schuster book. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
46 people are currently reading
1335 people want to read
About the author
Kimberlé Crenshaw
28 books817 followersKimberlé Crenshaw (also writes as Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw) is a professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School. A leading authority on civil rights, black feminist legal theory, and racism and the law, she is a co-editor of Critical Race Theory (The New Press). Crenshaw is a contributor to Ms. Magazine, The Nation, and the Huffington Post. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, I want to thank Simon and Schuster for providing me a digital ARC of this book. I am an intersectional criminologist whose research has been greatly influenced by Kimberlé Crenshaw's work on critical race theory and intersectionality. So, it was an honor to get an advanced copy. There's so much that I could say about this book. It was amazing, Crenshaw is amazing, and I recommend that everyone pick up this book ASAP. I don't want to give spoilers; so, I will highlight the three key things that I loved about it.
1) Her writing in the book is phenomenal (as usual). I wouldn’t say the book was fast paced, but it was easy to get caught up in the stories being told in each chapter. You were also able to tell from her stories from kindergarten to post law school how and why she came up with CRT and intersectionality. The through line was clear, and the path to how she got their was beautiful to read about.
- I also loved how she blended the personal with the political and vice versa. This is 100% a memoir where I learned so much more about her, but I also learned so much about other topics that I was familiar with but didn’t necessarily know a lot about from an intersectional perspective. Some of the topics she hits on are Anita Hill and her involvement in the hearing, the OJ Simpson trial, the My Brother's Keeper, Black women and IPV. Also, she’s a fair critique. She critiques the Trump and Obama administrations. And, I really appreciated her duality and ability to say “both/and." There's not nearly enough of that nowadays.
- In line with that last part, I loved her vulnerability. In this book, she discussed the grief of losing her closest family members, her experience with IPV, and her struggles as a black woman in the academy. The book made me feel heard, seen, and valued. I’d recommend everyone read the book, but I think it’s an especially great book for Black women.
- Something else I loved was the stories about her spending time with Angela Davis and Toni Morrison. How amazing is that?
All in all, preorder this book ASAP or purchase it once it's out. You will not regret it. I may even reread it via audio if there's an audiobook version narrated by Kimberlé Crenshaw. I also want this to be adapted into a biopic sooooo bad!
1) Her writing in the book is phenomenal (as usual). I wouldn’t say the book was fast paced, but it was easy to get caught up in the stories being told in each chapter. You were also able to tell from her stories from kindergarten to post law school how and why she came up with CRT and intersectionality. The through line was clear, and the path to how she got their was beautiful to read about.
- I also loved how she blended the personal with the political and vice versa. This is 100% a memoir where I learned so much more about her, but I also learned so much about other topics that I was familiar with but didn’t necessarily know a lot about from an intersectional perspective. Some of the topics she hits on are Anita Hill and her involvement in the hearing, the OJ Simpson trial, the My Brother's Keeper, Black women and IPV. Also, she’s a fair critique. She critiques the Trump and Obama administrations. And, I really appreciated her duality and ability to say “both/and." There's not nearly enough of that nowadays.
- In line with that last part, I loved her vulnerability. In this book, she discussed the grief of losing her closest family members, her experience with IPV, and her struggles as a black woman in the academy. The book made me feel heard, seen, and valued. I’d recommend everyone read the book, but I think it’s an especially great book for Black women.
- Something else I loved was the stories about her spending time with Angela Davis and Toni Morrison. How amazing is that?
All in all, preorder this book ASAP or purchase it once it's out. You will not regret it. I may even reread it via audio if there's an audiobook version narrated by Kimberlé Crenshaw. I also want this to be adapted into a biopic sooooo bad!
May 1, 2026
An expansive and moving depiction of her life, Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw’s memoir “Backtalker” covers a lot of ground. The title introduces itself early on as a central theme to tie these individual stories together, and we see how early childhood moments lay the groundwork for the legal and theoretical work that would come later.
My absolute favorite parts of this book—and when I felt most connected to the writing—were in the depictions of Kimberlé’s family. The complex bonds between herself and her mother, father, and brother catapulted me through the first of the three sections. It truly felt like reading a love letter to her family and the pivotal moments in her childhood that led her to become the person who created the concepts of critical race theory and intersectionality (where I first learned about her, during my social work grad program). I did find that the momentum slowed down in the latter half of the book, as we follow Kimberlé through law school and into her professional career, but it was still very informative and engaging to read.
Overall, a solid 4 star read that I would absolutely recommend.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
My absolute favorite parts of this book—and when I felt most connected to the writing—were in the depictions of Kimberlé’s family. The complex bonds between herself and her mother, father, and brother catapulted me through the first of the three sections. It truly felt like reading a love letter to her family and the pivotal moments in her childhood that led her to become the person who created the concepts of critical race theory and intersectionality (where I first learned about her, during my social work grad program). I did find that the momentum slowed down in the latter half of the book, as we follow Kimberlé through law school and into her professional career, but it was still very informative and engaging to read.
Overall, a solid 4 star read that I would absolutely recommend.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reading Backtalker: An American Memoir by Kimberlé Crenshaw felt personal in a way I didn’t expect. As a Mount Holyoke alum, I was especially surprised by the story of her visiting campus as a prospective student. While I was embraced by Black cultural orgs during my own visit, they tried to sell her on the equestrian program and when she joked about not even having a horse, I felt that in my bones. That moment captures so much about who institutions imagine belonging for and who has to insist on being seen.
Crenshaw’s reflection on her late brother Mantel, featured alongside her on the cover, enlightened me. As one of two siblings, she names how he was her first mirror: her closest peer, and how witnessing the ways racism and sexism shaped her life differently than his sharpened her awareness early on. You can feel how those observations became the groundwork for what the world would later come to know as intersectionality.
My favorite aspects to read were the early stories like the childhood moment when she was denied the chance to play a princess in school and her parents insisted that the teacher come to their home and make amends. That kind of advocacy didn’t just protect her, it taught her that her voice mattered. And she carried that lesson forward, again and again.
From building Black feminist communities on campus to navigating racism and sexism in the U.S. and abroad, Crenshaw shows us a life shaped by both resistance and imagination. The memoir doesn’t shy away from complexity. She highlights cultural and political moments like the O. J. Simpson trial and the appointment of Clarence Thomas following Thurgood Marshall which ground her personal journey within a broader American landscape.
This book peels back the curtain on one of the most important thinkers of our time. It’s not just about theory but it’s about the lived experiences, relationships, and moments of courage that made intersectional theory and critical race theory necessary.
Crenshaw’s reflection on her late brother Mantel, featured alongside her on the cover, enlightened me. As one of two siblings, she names how he was her first mirror: her closest peer, and how witnessing the ways racism and sexism shaped her life differently than his sharpened her awareness early on. You can feel how those observations became the groundwork for what the world would later come to know as intersectionality.
My favorite aspects to read were the early stories like the childhood moment when she was denied the chance to play a princess in school and her parents insisted that the teacher come to their home and make amends. That kind of advocacy didn’t just protect her, it taught her that her voice mattered. And she carried that lesson forward, again and again.
From building Black feminist communities on campus to navigating racism and sexism in the U.S. and abroad, Crenshaw shows us a life shaped by both resistance and imagination. The memoir doesn’t shy away from complexity. She highlights cultural and political moments like the O. J. Simpson trial and the appointment of Clarence Thomas following Thurgood Marshall which ground her personal journey within a broader American landscape.
This book peels back the curtain on one of the most important thinkers of our time. It’s not just about theory but it’s about the lived experiences, relationships, and moments of courage that made intersectional theory and critical race theory necessary.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I give the book 4.5 stars. I received a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I had not heard of the author before this book. I was so interested in the topic.
The book is so interesting. Her life's story is fascinating. The book talks about the history of racism and misogyny too. It's hard to separate the authors life from her work.
The book is fairly easy to read. I read the book in about 2 weeks. The chapters are fairly short. The book is kinda long. There is really no way to make the book any shorter.
The book is about celebrating wins and dealing with the losses. The wins and losses are apparent in the authors life and the history of racism and misogyny. She has done so much. Yet, there is so much to be done.
She focuses a lot on women of color and sexism. It's something that doesn't get talked about enough. She even calls out those that are rarely called out.
The book is so relevant today. While reading this book, the voting rights act was just destroyed. I hope others will appreciate this book for all that it offers.
I am grateful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I hope I am able to see the author in person for a book talk. I am interested in what the author does next.
The book is so interesting. Her life's story is fascinating. The book talks about the history of racism and misogyny too. It's hard to separate the authors life from her work.
The book is fairly easy to read. I read the book in about 2 weeks. The chapters are fairly short. The book is kinda long. There is really no way to make the book any shorter.
The book is about celebrating wins and dealing with the losses. The wins and losses are apparent in the authors life and the history of racism and misogyny. She has done so much. Yet, there is so much to be done.
She focuses a lot on women of color and sexism. It's something that doesn't get talked about enough. She even calls out those that are rarely called out.
The book is so relevant today. While reading this book, the voting rights act was just destroyed. I hope others will appreciate this book for all that it offers.
I am grateful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I hope I am able to see the author in person for a book talk. I am interested in what the author does next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you’ve ever been told to “stay in your lane,” Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Backtalker is a masterclass in why that’s overrated. From a five-year-old in Canton, Ohio questioning her teacher to a legal powerhouse reshaping how we talk about justice, Crenshaw’s voice is sharp, fearless, and impossible to ignore. The memoir crackles with moments that are both deeply personal and historically momentous, especially as she unpacks the roots of intersectionality and critical race theory. What makes this a five-star read is how she threads pain, insight, and defiance into something that feels urgent right now. It’s not just a memoir, it’s a call to notice what’s been hidden in plain sight. Smart, stirring, and just the right amount of spunky, Backtalker demands you rethink the rules.
May 7, 2026
Truly an incredible memoir of an incredible life. I knew of Crenshaw’s work, but only at a high level. This memoir was wonderfully written, and the second half (focusing on her adult life & activism) was truly fascinating and remarkable. Highly recommend this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fantastic, unique, and well-written memoir about the inherently political world we live in with the very unique perspective of the author. 5 stars. thanks for the E-ARC.
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April 25, 2026read prepublication review in the guardian
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews