The Battle of Ole Miss: Civil Rights v. States' Rights

by Franklin T. Lambert

James Meredith broke the color barrier in 1962 as the first African American student at Ole Miss. The violent riot that followed would be one of the most deadly clashes of the civil rights era, seriously wounding scores of U.S. Marshals and killing two civilians, and forcing the federal government to send thousands of soldiers to restore the peace.

In The Battle of Ole Civil Rights v. States' Rights , Frank Lambert--who was a student at Ole Miss at the time and witnessed many of these events--provides an engaging narrative of the tumultuous period surrounding Meredith's arrival at the University of Mississippi. Written from the unique perspective of a student, Lambert explores the riot and its aftermath, examining why James Meredith deemed it important enough to risk his life in order to enter Ole Miss and why scores of white students resisted Meredith's enrollment. Lambert captures the complex and confused reactions of the students--most of whom had never given race a second thought--and many of whom were not averse to Meredith attending Ole Miss.

In examining this single incident, Lambert illuminates the broader themes of social and cultural fault lines, Mississippi race relations, the fight for racial justice, and the political realignment that transformed the south. Part of the Critical Historical Encounters series, The Battle of Ole Civil Rights v. States' Rights is an ideal supplement for undergraduate U.S. Survey courses and courses in African American History, Civil Rights, the U.S. Since 1945, and the 1960s.

Genres: History, School, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2009

About the author

Franklin T. Lambert is a professor of history at Purdue University, Indiana, United States. He received his PhD from Northwestern University, Illinois, in 1990 and has special interests in American Colonial and Revolutionary Era history. Before earning his PhD he was also a punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1965 to 1966.

Reviews

[Zack Byrd]

I was really wanting this book to get into James Meredith’s life and what was happening on campus during this time, but it just didn’t. It under delivered on what was promised and I dislike it for that. Informative enough to warrant reading if you’re an Ole Miss student, but outside of that nah

[TJ]

Interesting approach to the story. Doesn’t paint Meredith in the best light but looks at the world of Miss during this time.

[Tonia]

I didn't have the appropriate knowledge of what Mr. Meredith went through. A very sad story that we should all know.

[Tracey]

This was an amazing story to read. James Meredith faced all odds to apply to and attend Ole Miss University, and all-white university that never integrated, even in 1962! Great read! Not too long of a book. There were a lot of details toward the end in the last chapter that I kind of skimmed but the last three pages were wonderful! I highly recommend this book.

[Rob]

Near the end of this short book, the author takes former Senator Trent Lott to task: "Though he [Lott] would later characterize his move to the Republican Party as part of a widespread revolt against the liberal Democratic Party and its intrusive government policies, the evidence indicates that the ugly issue of race was at the center of the movement." p. 167-168

[Rick]

It has never ceased to amaze me how entrenched racism was in the minds of southerners in the days before Civil Rights. This book, written by an Ole Miss alumnus, discusses it pretty well. It's also amazing what James Meredith did in those days to challenge that racism.

[Will Corvin]

An inspiring story of one man's battle for his constitutional rights. Worth a read, especially for anyone living in the South