61 pages • 2 hours read
Elizabeth HintonAmerica on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton traces the history of Black rebellion in the United States from the late 1960s to the George Floyd protests of 2020, highlighting violent encounters between Black Americans and law enforcement, and presenting these rebellions as politically driven responses to systemic racism and draconian policing practices. The book contains detailed discussions of violence, racial injustice, and systemic issues in policing and the criminal justice system.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton offers a profound analysis of racial unrest in the U.S., linking past civil rights efforts to modern struggles. Reviewers praise its thorough research and compelling narrative, though some criticize its dense academic language. The book is seen as a significant contribution to understanding systemic racism, despite occasional readability challenges.
Who Should Read America on Fire?
Readers interested in civil rights, social justice, and modern racial unrest would enjoy America on Fire by Elizabeth Hinton. Comparable to Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Ibram X. Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist, it offers historical insights into the roots of rebellion and systemic inequality in America.