Overview

""For almost two decades, investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell doggedly pursued the Klansmen responsible for some of the most notorious murders of the civil rights movement. This book is his amazing story. Thanks to him, and to courageous prosecutors, witnesses, and FBI agents, justice finally prevailed."" --John Grisham, author of The Guardians On June 21, 1964, more than twenty Klansmen murdered three civil rights workers. The killings, in what would become known as the ""Mississippi Burning"" case, were among the most brazen acts of violence during the civil rights movement. And even though the killers' identities, including the sheriff's deputy, were an open secret, no one was charged with murder in the months and years that followed. It took forty-one years before the mastermind was brought to trial and finally convicted for the three innocent lives he took. If there is one man who helped pave the way for justice, it is investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell. In Race Against Time, Mitchell takes readers on the twisting, pulse-racing road that led to the reopening of four of the most infamous killings from the days of the civil rights movement, decades after the fact. His work played a central role in bringing killers to justice for the assassination of Medgar Evers, the firebombing of Vernon Dahmer, the 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham and the Mississippi Burning case. Mitchell reveals how he unearthed secret documents, found long-lost suspects and witnesses, building up evidence strong enough to take on the Klan. He takes us into every harrowing scene along the way, as when Mitchell goes into the lion's den, meeting one-on-one with the very murderers he is seeking to catch. His efforts have put four leading Klansmen behind bars, years after they thought they had gotten away with murder. Race Against Time is an astonishing, courageous story capturing a historic race for justice, as the past is uncovered, clue by clue, and long-ignored evils are brought into the light. This is a landmark book and essential reading for all Americans.

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9781451645149

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The nation owes Jerry Mitchell a debt of gratitude. --David Goodman, brother of Andrew Goodman, one of three civil rights workers killed by the KKK during Mississippi's Freedom Summer This is a deep dive into the soul of America, a must-read for anybody interested in the Civil Rights Movement. --Jeff Steinberg, founder of the Sojourn Project It's one thing to have a great story to tell. But it's another thing to have it told by a great storyteller. Jerry Mitchell has written this book with power, talent, and conscience. -- Rick Bragg, author of All Over but the Shoutin' I've never met anyone so committed to the truth and revealing the truth than Jerry Mitchell. He ignited the movement to bring justice to my family and so many others. -- Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers Race Against Time chronicles Jerry Mitchell's relentless and fearless pursuit of truth in decades old crimes from the civil rights era that provided justice for families and communities and put murderous Klansmen behind bars for life. He is living proof of the central role investigative journalism plays in preserving our democracy. This book should be read and studied for many years to come. -- U.S. Senator Doug Jones Jerry Mitchell's memoir revives promise for journalism. In this stirring, insider's account of four notorious crimes from the 1960s, his tenacious allies defy race and resignation to win historic miracles for justice. --Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Parting the Waters For almost two decades, investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell doggedly pursued the Klansmen responsible for some of the most notorious murders of the civil rights movement. This book is his amazing story. Thanks to him, and to courageous prosecutors, witnesses, and FBI agents, justice finally prevailed. --John Grisham, author of The Guardians

Author Information

Jerry Mitchell has been a reporter in Mississippi since 1986. A winner of more than 30 national awards, Mitchell is the founder of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting. The nonprofit is continuing his work of exposing injustices and raising up a new generation of investigative reporters.

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