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American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow
For a hundred years after the end of the Civil War, a quarter of all Americans lived under a system of legalized segregation called Jim Crow. Together with its rigidly enforced canon of racial "etiquette," these rules governed nearly every aspect of life--and outlined draconian punishments for infractions.
The purpose of Jim Crow was to keep African Americans subjugated at a level as close as possible to their former slave status. Exceeding even South Africa's notorious apartheid in the humiliation, degradation, and suffering it brought, Jim Crow left scars on the American psyche that are still felt today. American Nightmare examines and explains Jim Crow from its beginnings to its how it came into being, how it was lived, how it was justified, and how, at long last, it was overcome only a few short decades ago. Most importantly, this book reveals how a nation founded on principles of equality and freedom came to enact as law a pervasive system of inequality and virtual slavery.
Although America has finally consigned Jim Crow to the historical graveyard, Jerrold Packard shows why it is important that this scourge--and an understanding of how it happened--remain alive in the nation's collective memory.
The purpose of Jim Crow was to keep African Americans subjugated at a level as close as possible to their former slave status. Exceeding even South Africa's notorious apartheid in the humiliation, degradation, and suffering it brought, Jim Crow left scars on the American psyche that are still felt today. American Nightmare examines and explains Jim Crow from its beginnings to its how it came into being, how it was lived, how it was justified, and how, at long last, it was overcome only a few short decades ago. Most importantly, this book reveals how a nation founded on principles of equality and freedom came to enact as law a pervasive system of inequality and virtual slavery.
Although America has finally consigned Jim Crow to the historical graveyard, Jerrold Packard shows why it is important that this scourge--and an understanding of how it happened--remain alive in the nation's collective memory.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 18, 2019
A well-researched and written account on the history of Jim Crow
This should be a required reading for every American. As a black man I knew we had it bad but, after reading some of the things that we had to go through just broke my heart. During the Jim Crow era - especially the war years - other countries like France and Great Britain were baffled by how African-Americans were being treated amongst their fellow soldiers. There were so many other atrocities being done to African-Americans during Jim Crow: a prosperous black neighborhood on Greenwood Avenue, aka "Black Wall Street", was burned to the ground because they too successful. Whoever tried tried to escape the fire - including children - were killed then thrown back into the fire. It was horrendous what my people went through. Truly a black mark in U.S. history.
This should be a required reading for every American. As a black man I knew we had it bad but, after reading some of the things that we had to go through just broke my heart. During the Jim Crow era - especially the war years - other countries like France and Great Britain were baffled by how African-Americans were being treated amongst their fellow soldiers. There were so many other atrocities being done to African-Americans during Jim Crow: a prosperous black neighborhood on Greenwood Avenue, aka "Black Wall Street", was burned to the ground because they too successful. Whoever tried tried to escape the fire - including children - were killed then thrown back into the fire. It was horrendous what my people went through. Truly a black mark in U.S. history.
July 22, 2018
Every American should read this. I wish my history classes in school were as informative and powerful as this book.
August 11, 2022
I'm giving this imperfect little book five stars despite some caveats. I recommend everybody, especially white Americans like me, read it. For no other reason, we need to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of the horrific systemic racism that good, white, "God-fearing," and "Christian" Americans defended, advanced, perpetuated, murdered for, and refused to dismantle for a good 80+ years. The book does a great job. And to say that any of this systemic injustice is a myth, a relic, "over," or not a factor in 2020s America, you're on shaky ground.
Caveats:
- The book's language is very 2002 and thus jarring and wouldn't fly today. Many instances of "a black" and "blacks" adorn the text as nouns rather than adjectives, which is cringe to my ears.
- The author's lens of interrogating Jim Crow is somewhat short-sighted from the 1930s onward, with little examination of the New Deal's exclusion of black Americans or residential segregation in law and custom (though this is touched upon throughout the book in the pre-1930s).
Caveats:
- The book's language is very 2002 and thus jarring and wouldn't fly today. Many instances of "a black" and "blacks" adorn the text as nouns rather than adjectives, which is cringe to my ears.
- The author's lens of interrogating Jim Crow is somewhat short-sighted from the 1930s onward, with little examination of the New Deal's exclusion of black Americans or residential segregation in law and custom (though this is touched upon throughout the book in the pre-1930s).
July 22, 2018
In depth thorough account of American history as it relates to Jim Crow in every facet of life from post slavery up until it ended in the late 21st century. This is a book that I read for the sake of educating myself which was also surprisingly enjoyable to read. The accounts of American history that brought us to the point we are in today are shameful yet we have maintained a global reputation as a country that champions democracy for all. Most offensive to me was the treatment of African American vets who were fought for this country but returned to the same Jim Crow laws that were prevalent in most of the southeastern United States.
November 28, 2019
American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow gives the reader a very good understanding of the horrid treatment, harassment, humiliation, fear, and worse, that the American public prevailed upon the black population for decades. Packard doesn't try to lay blame, nor make excuses, but presents the facts in a clear, straightforward manner. It should be a must-read for everyone.
May 28, 2025
This was some excellent high quality history writing; the sordid history of racism in the US layed out in all its despicable details; after the formal abolition of slavery it took another century to get equal rights for coloured people; it is as astonishingly horrifying as it is true. This should be mandatory reading in high schools the world over; highly recommended.
March 10, 2016
The extent that Jim Crow permeated this country is just sickening. The bibliography was an excellent source for further reading. Every high school student should read this.
January 8, 2010
The horrible story of institutional racism embraced for too long in America
September 13, 2020
A good, disturbing read.
May 16, 2022
Jerrold M. Packard’s, “American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow,” details the origins of Jim Crow and its legacy on institutions within the USA and abroad. The accounts of African-Americans in their struggle and plight for equal treatment, the blessings of liberty, and full participation in their own country is disheartening and shocking.
Jim Crow is the name of a then-popular minstrel show of a White actor performing a song and dance in Black face, but it is also a reference to the Black Codes, segregation (de jure/statutory), and other injustices in the local, state, and federal
laws— not only within the United States of America, but abroad: during the World Wars and other conflicts, as well as during significant historic events.
This book is important. Especially in light of recent events: where some are trying to omit a history that is inconvenient to the narrative of the USA as the greatest country in the world, and without its flaws. No country is perfect, and it is important that the people remember that freedom was not free for so many who made the union “more perfect” by challenging abuses, inequities, and injustices, and granting rights to all persons within the jurisdiction of the USA.
Jim Crow is the name of a then-popular minstrel show of a White actor performing a song and dance in Black face, but it is also a reference to the Black Codes, segregation (de jure/statutory), and other injustices in the local, state, and federal
laws— not only within the United States of America, but abroad: during the World Wars and other conflicts, as well as during significant historic events.
This book is important. Especially in light of recent events: where some are trying to omit a history that is inconvenient to the narrative of the USA as the greatest country in the world, and without its flaws. No country is perfect, and it is important that the people remember that freedom was not free for so many who made the union “more perfect” by challenging abuses, inequities, and injustices, and granting rights to all persons within the jurisdiction of the USA.
December 4, 2020
The Civil War was only the beginning
95 years it took for White American to live up to the 15th amendment. And even today other groups fight to have their rights confirmed. It wasn’t a Democratic problem. It wasn’t a Republican problem. It was a white people’s problem. It was an entitlement problem. I was a child in 1965, but I remember how Blacks were treated. Not realizing it was a continuation of the Civil War that seemed ancient history to me then. This book opened my eyes to what as a child I was told was over. Blacks had been given their rights with the ending of the war. Just another Southern misconception.
95 years it took for White American to live up to the 15th amendment. And even today other groups fight to have their rights confirmed. It wasn’t a Democratic problem. It wasn’t a Republican problem. It was a white people’s problem. It was an entitlement problem. I was a child in 1965, but I remember how Blacks were treated. Not realizing it was a continuation of the Civil War that seemed ancient history to me then. This book opened my eyes to what as a child I was told was over. Blacks had been given their rights with the ending of the war. Just another Southern misconception.
June 20, 2018
Very informative and interesting detail about the long and bloody history of Jim Crow. The book at times seemed to reiterate facts and points and injected some opinion into the historical interpretation, however it was either subtle or very small. Fascinating to learn just how horrible Jim Crow was and how petty and vindictive the South was.
November 1, 2020
Street reading! Inspiring and revealing! Confirmed plenty that will inspire to stay in the line of progression and continue to inspire others. I was
In this current election an. Its twisted candidates, especially on the Republicans. The fear Trump and his lying.. Continuing dialogue
In this current election an. Its twisted candidates, especially on the Republicans. The fear Trump and his lying.. Continuing dialogue
July 12, 2016
A wonderfully-concise treatment of America's Jim Crow laws and the deep scar they leave on our national conscience. I appreciate that although Packard offers a birds-eye view, he does not allow readers to lose sight of the individual. Recommended.
March 15, 2021
Sobering. Heartbreaking.
August 25, 2024
This review of our nation’s despicable and not yet fully extinguished treatment of fellow citizens should be required reading for all American students.
January 10, 2026
The history of segregation in the United States of America was by far the most interesting course I took at the university while completing my degree. An American professor taught it. It was one of the courses we could choose from among the subjects that constituted the pool of additional courses we had to take to reach the required number of points. It was my last year at the university, and by that time, I had already understood that Marketing was the wrong choice for a future profession. But during that week-long course on segregation, I completely forgot about my career-related worries, so engrossing was the way the professor talked about the topic.
So, a quarter of a century later, when “American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard appeared in the BookBub email with current deals, I didn’t hesitate to buy it.
History is complicated. It is difficult to evaluate objectively, not slipping into judgments made based on personal experience, trauma, and preconceptions that are instilled in us by our parents, school, etc. It is even harder to form opinions about other countries’ past.
What I learned from living through a controversial period of history is that the seemingly trivial phrase ‘there are two sides to every story’ is actually very true. In fact, often those sides are more than two. It is my strong belief that to say ‘they’ in connection with accusing a group sharing similar characteristics, not necessarily race, is wrong. It is always about an individual or a number of individuals who do something vicious. It is never ‘them’ who belong to the same group as the wrongdoers. Sometimes it is one concrete person. At other times, it is several people. And it also happens that hundreds, thousands, and more participate in harming others. Alas, anger, pain, and a wish for revenge are powerful stimulators that overshadow our minds and rob us of logic.
“American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard is a meticulous account of the century-long suffering of African Americans after the Civil War had freed them. In many ways, after they had stopped being slaves, their status had not changed. Life circumstances of many even worsened, considering that they had stopped being property, something that had value, and turned into those whom ex-masters feared and despised. And that fear and contempt did drive people to unimaginable extremes.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I’d had some idea about segregation before. But I’ll be honest, reading this book, the extent of it had shocked me. It touched every single sphere of life, making it impossible to ignore. Another thing that disturbed me deeply was the violent racial riots that had cost many African Americans their lives, businesses, and homes. As a result of one of such riots, a flourishing neighbourhood was destroyed, where people had managed to build a decent life for themselves despite the discriminatory Jim Crow laws. I think that I’ll be processing this for a long time.
Some moments in the book slightly marred my overall impression. There is absolutely no doubt that African Americans were terribly mistreated. Nothing can justify lynchings and putting human beings into an inferior position based solely on their race. Still, describing one horrifying lynching case, the author mentioned in passing that the man who was punished stabbed the white landlord’s son. What the crowd did to the offender was absolutely inexcusable, totally awful, and strips those people of the right to be called ‘human beings.’ And yet, it shows that not everything that happened in the Jim Crow years can be viewed from a one-sided perspective.
I recommend this book to those interested in the subject. “American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard is a detailed research of both the discriminatory regulations and real-life stories. But this isn’t a fast-paced read. As I understand the author’s intention, it wasn’t to keep readers entertained, but rather to provide them with all-encompassing knowledge.
So, a quarter of a century later, when “American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard appeared in the BookBub email with current deals, I didn’t hesitate to buy it.
History is complicated. It is difficult to evaluate objectively, not slipping into judgments made based on personal experience, trauma, and preconceptions that are instilled in us by our parents, school, etc. It is even harder to form opinions about other countries’ past.
What I learned from living through a controversial period of history is that the seemingly trivial phrase ‘there are two sides to every story’ is actually very true. In fact, often those sides are more than two. It is my strong belief that to say ‘they’ in connection with accusing a group sharing similar characteristics, not necessarily race, is wrong. It is always about an individual or a number of individuals who do something vicious. It is never ‘them’ who belong to the same group as the wrongdoers. Sometimes it is one concrete person. At other times, it is several people. And it also happens that hundreds, thousands, and more participate in harming others. Alas, anger, pain, and a wish for revenge are powerful stimulators that overshadow our minds and rob us of logic.
“American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard is a meticulous account of the century-long suffering of African Americans after the Civil War had freed them. In many ways, after they had stopped being slaves, their status had not changed. Life circumstances of many even worsened, considering that they had stopped being property, something that had value, and turned into those whom ex-masters feared and despised. And that fear and contempt did drive people to unimaginable extremes.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I’d had some idea about segregation before. But I’ll be honest, reading this book, the extent of it had shocked me. It touched every single sphere of life, making it impossible to ignore. Another thing that disturbed me deeply was the violent racial riots that had cost many African Americans their lives, businesses, and homes. As a result of one of such riots, a flourishing neighbourhood was destroyed, where people had managed to build a decent life for themselves despite the discriminatory Jim Crow laws. I think that I’ll be processing this for a long time.
Some moments in the book slightly marred my overall impression. There is absolutely no doubt that African Americans were terribly mistreated. Nothing can justify lynchings and putting human beings into an inferior position based solely on their race. Still, describing one horrifying lynching case, the author mentioned in passing that the man who was punished stabbed the white landlord’s son. What the crowd did to the offender was absolutely inexcusable, totally awful, and strips those people of the right to be called ‘human beings.’ And yet, it shows that not everything that happened in the Jim Crow years can be viewed from a one-sided perspective.
I recommend this book to those interested in the subject. “American Nightmare: The History of Jim Crow” by Jerrold M. Packard is a detailed research of both the discriminatory regulations and real-life stories. But this isn’t a fast-paced read. As I understand the author’s intention, it wasn’t to keep readers entertained, but rather to provide them with all-encompassing knowledge.
January 31, 2020
The book American Nightmare by Jerold M. Packard is an insight on how life was like for people living in the Jim Crow era. I did not like this book for the reason that it was quite boring. It was super factual and monotone. The book itself did not hook me nor the topic. Although the book does have some powerful quotes that provide a meaning. An example of this is “When in Jim Crow days police departments were totally white, blacks especially resented the universal contempt shown by police toward all African-Americans, officers almost always using their authority to demand deference from blacks. An African-American, regardless of his economic or educational status, who failed to address a police officer with due deference became an obvious target for police reprisals.” this quote really opens your mind to how unfairly blacks were treated.
February 6, 2024
This is an absolutely terrific book that should be required reading in high school history classrooms. We need to teach ALL of American history: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And this book reveals the bad and ugly part. It is hard for me to fathom how people could be so mean and nasty to other people. I guess the answer is, as the author points out several times, that many (most?) whites saw Black people as inferior or subhuman; almost a different species. I knew the basic history of Jim Crow, but this book fleshed out the details. Very highly recommended!
August 9, 2020
I read this book after the excellent The Warmth of Other Suns and it was ecliped by that fine book. In this Packard focuses on the history of the Jim Crow era (1870 to 1965) and through anecotes and statistical reasoning lays out the horror of those years. It was an insightful book but I was annoyed at his constant use of fifty-cent words instead of just laying out a good narrative.
September 8, 2021
This book provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the jim Crow system in the South, going into more detail about said system, which most people did not know about. Although it drags in parts, and often reads like a generic textbook, I did learn a lot, as it dug deeper into the atrocities of the Jim Crow system, a sad, but true part of American History.
March 14, 2024
Thorough and interesting, but not quite as engaging as other books on the subject. My main problem with the audiobook was the narrator, who mispronounced so many words and made odd pauses, which made it difficult to understand him.
November 27, 2024
This is not an exhaustive history of the entire Jim Crow regime, but the author covers the highlights and stresses that it was a complex mix of laws and brutally enforced social and economic norms. I really appreciated the cold fury that Packard brought to the subject as well.
May 31, 2017
Fantastic book. My only criticism is that the last chapter covering Civil Rights felt rushed and I glazed over important topics.
September 17, 2020
Too much like a text book for me.
June 18, 2021
Excellent history. Lots I didn't know, and lots I still don't understand. More reading to do.
Packard is a good story teller.
Packard is a good story teller.
September 23, 2021
Slow read but interesting
April 5, 2024
Lives up to its title and is a solid place to start if you need a broad overview of how the Jim Crow era came to be and how it was somewhat overcome.
August 10, 2024
Really good no nonsense recounting of the facts. It's all stuff I know but it never hurts to rehear it and drill in what our country did. It really covers the gamut. Its got everything
April 24, 2023
This is an amazing historical analysis of the jim crow era and what led up to it, and how it eventually ended. This book focuses less on how the civil rights movement happened and more on the way. originally I wasn't excited to read this for school, but as I got past the first chapter I was hooked. there is no story, but it provides amazing historical details and I will suggest this book to anyone who is interested in US history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews