Customer Reviews

Root and Branch: Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and the Struggle to End Segregation

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Root and Branch is meticulously researched and beautifully written. Rawn James, Jr.'s book is a significant contribution to the understanding of the evolution of civil rights and education in America. The subject, The Struggle to End Segregation, is as relevant and important today as it was in the 1960s. Root and Branch emphasizes the central role education plays in a successful democracy and the future of America by exploring a time when equal education was considered dangerous. Thurgood Marshall and Charles Houston knew the importance of education and therefore their lives were in danger.

Because Root and Branch is written in clear, lively prose, and draws in its reader from dramatic events and compelling stories of people involved in the civil rights movement, from legal visionaries Thurgood Marshall and Charles Houston to the young African American school girls who were not interested in a movement but simply craved a decent education, it is both inspiring and entertaining.

As a bonus, Root and Branch features some particularly fine writing. Mr. James accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of making two lawyers and the legal system into an entertaining and, dare I say, EXCITING read. Root and Branch is so compelling that the reader wants to stand up and cheer at the end of a number of chapters. It is a fast read, historically enlightening and what I would term a suspense-thriller.

I highly recommend it.

This book was superbly written, well researched, and delivered in an evenhanded, marvelous way. Segregation is a hot topic, and it could be expected that an author investigating a story of desegregation could descend into emotionality and political demagoguery. In other books examining our racist history, authors have sometimes couched the history as apologetics for modern political ideologies.

Mr. James did not fall into that trap. He kept his own political leanings his own, and offered a detailed, non-evaluative statement of what happened. I really like this writing style, and admire authors who show respect to the reader by simply telling us what happened and leaving it to us to draw our own value judgments. I think by doing so Mr. James did service to the memory of two great men. The reader is left to admire that part of each man and their work that he identifies with most.

A less talented author would have surely ceded to the temptation to write a hagiography of two such eminently respected and respectable historical figures. Had he done so, we would be left reading an account of what the author found important and identified with, putting the focus on the author's opinion and feelings rather than on the lives and actions of the subject of the book.

I was very pleased with the book. It was engaging, informative, and deeply personal. To me the sign of quality in a biography of historical figures is that reading creates enough of a bond that even though the subject has been dead for some good time, you're still sad when that part of the book comes. This book succeeded. Well done, Mr. James.

For most of us who try to find the right books that will provide solace and excitement sometimes the task is daunting. We find authors we thoroughly enjoy and even remain loyal through some books which are not as engaging and force us to wonder if we've wasted our money. Root and Branch, by Rawn James, is undoubtedly one of the best biography(s) and history book written. This book was better than a number of suspense/thrillers I've read/listened to in the past 21 years. I'm impressed with his ability to remove himself from the story and keep out all biases, report only the facts. He retells the story of some of America's greatest men, civil rights activists, lawyer's, and hero's the country has ever produced. Not to mention their strong character, convictions, and duty to justice.

I originally ordered the book in an audio format and listened to the story as I worked and drove about. I'm so impressed that I am to purchase the book and make it a part of my library.

We start with Charles Hamilton Houston as a child growing up in Washington, D.C.; in a life of affluence not easily afforded to African-American's of his time. We journey with him as he struggles through the segregated Army in the First Great War (WWI), as he goes on to become the first African-American to serve on the Harvard Law Review. He transforms Howard Law School to become an impressionable institution of judicial character, meeting Thurgood Marshall and winning their first case together; going on to cement a lifetime of mentorship and friendship. We listen as the men go on to challenge the hardships and segregation of the Jim Crow Era and solidify a place for all people at the table of educational equality.

I am extremely impressed with Mr. James' literary abilities; his historical accuracy and prowess. Great Job!