Customer Reviews

And Gently He Shall Lead Them: Robert Parris Moses and Civil Rights in Mississippi

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

IN this time of increased jingosim and nationalism,when dissent is called dishonor and treason[by the current Attorney General of the United States}, this book is like a balm. Robert Parris Moses is a certifiable HERO,and is a character drawn almost by his philosophical champion, the great Algerian exixtentialist and Noble Laurete, Albert Camus. Moses went to Mississippi in the early 1960's, in Mccomb county and began the torturous process of registering people to vote.Slight, in his horn rimmed glasses, with white T shirt under his bib overalls, Moses tirelessly and fearlessly went up against crooked judges, Klukers and corrupt and racist law enforcement, and slowly[with the eventual aid of the Justice department and John Doar, who ,though a republican, was also the justice dept. lead lawyer in the impeachment proceedings against President Richard m. Nixon}, registered voters, and changed the shape of american history. With his backround in philosophy}[from Harvard} and a steely determination to do the right thing, Moses at times singlehandely carried on, living with local balck families in Hamlets throught Mississippi.One of the few memebers of the civil rights movement was was not in the least bit awed by Martin Luther King,jr.[perhaps beacuse he knew himself to be the equal of any man} he sallied forth under pressure and fear that I literally cannot comprehend. this is a fine book about a period of american history that should be celebrated,not consigned to february alone. It was a tuime when politicians thought they could "possibly" cahnge things, and far more importantly, when people such as Mr. Moses felt it was imperative for they themselves to change things. My Admiration for Mr.Moses is second to no one. He, along with John Lewis, are certifiable living heroes,men who make me proud to be american. This book, then is one way to get to know this great, yes,great man. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This biography of Bob Moses coincides well with my personal interviews of him as a planner and facilitator in encouraging local Mississippians in their quest to overcome their oppression at the hands of official and unofficial Mississippi. He not only led by example, he brought out the leadership qualities of poor, rural and illiterate Mississippians who then led themselves in fighting Mississippi's "closed society." He worked at the invitation of the movement leaders of the 1950's --Amzie Moore, C.C. Bryant, Webb Owens, and E.W. Steptoe-- and established an important link between the older civil rights movement in the state with the student movement of SNCC, CORE , and COFO. Decisions made concerning the Freedom Summer project are to be found in this well written biography of him as a facilitator of the Mississippi movement.

This book gives Bob Moses the attention his life deserves. You should also check out The Children Bob Moses Led by William Heath. It's a novel that blends fact with fiction to tell the story of Moses and Freedom Summer.