Racial Matters: The FBI's Secret File on Black America, 1960-1972

by Kenneth O'Reilly

Author of Black Americans and Nixon's Piano Kenneth O'Reilly takes a blunt and remarkable look at the FBI and "its relentless drive to destroy the civil rights movement and its most visible leader, Martin Luther King, Jr." ( The New York Times ).

From Kennedy to Nixon, the FBI unwillingly found itself at the center of the struggle for racial equality and justice. Kenneth O'Reilly tells the shocking story of how political loyalties, priorities, and prejudices turned a government agency into an adversary, instead of a protector, of civil rights.

Genres: History, Race, Politics, Nonfiction, African American

468 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Tessabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racial Matters follows many different lives through the 1960s to 1972. This book goes into detail about African Americans who go to jail, protests, and the little rock nine. It is a really easy read and the wording is easy enough to follow. Some of the literature can be a little confusing but the book is very well put together.
I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing life from a different perspective. It was honestly eye-opening for someone like me (white) to really put myself in the place of everyone who is brought up in the book but it really brings life into perspective.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as part of my history class on the civil rights movement. Great professor and a great book.