And the Dawn of a New America - the Groveland Boys

Excellent book. Had to put it aside a couple times reading it, the injustice made me so mad. This book is a good antidote to this who think blacks had it good in the old South. Jim Crow was tyranny pure and simple and this book depicts it well. Marshall and the NAACP lawyers really were heroes but they weren't miracle workers and the good guys mostly lost as we see in the book.

Excellent account of an case before Brown v. Board of Ed. It is not only about Thurgood Marshall, but about other lawyers both in and out of the NAACP, and the people - White and Black - in rural Florida. At times it is difficult to read. The language and the violence that were commonplace in the Jim Crow era were brutal. I've studies this era, but this was still an eye-opening book. Read it!

This is an amazingly readable book. It is full of stories, antidotes and facts which make you pause to consider the context. Gilbert King has done a wonderful job of explaining the personalities of key individuals in this drama. I can not speak highly enough of this book, it paints the picture of a portion of our countries history and the personalities involved. Great read!

Another well written reminder of how dreadful our American history is when it comes to the treatment of blacks. But sure does give a good understanding of where Thurgood Marshall derived his passion for civil rights work. A truly amazing, well researched, and very well written book.

Gilbert King brilliantly recaptures the brutal horror of Willis McCall's rule as Florida's Lake County Sheriff and "man's inhumanity to man." Also reminds us what a great man Thurgood Marshall was and the cruelties he had to overcome.

If you want to know the story behind the struggle to end Jim Crow, and the heroic and dangerous story of the NAACP lawyers who faced the Klan with their Governors and Sheriffs, this is the book. Prose details the ghastly details of the lynchings, beatings,going all the way through the Federal Appelate Courts, and finally to the Supreme court.

What an incredible story. As someone who is not a native American and not well versed in American history, this book provided a brutally honest and insightful account of a very dark period of that history. It at once reminds us of how far we have come as a society, and of how far we still have to go.
The research undertaken to complete this book would have been a gargantuan task in itself, and King's storytelling elicits a whole gamit of emotional reactions - from indignation, jubilation, outrage, pride and utter disgust.
It is a must read for any civil rights history buff, anthropologist, legal historian, or anyone who needs a reminder of why there is no place in this world for racism and xenophobia.

This book is an incredibly well researched and well written account of southern (Florida) justice in the 1940's and 50's. The author traces the case of four AA men (the Groveland Boys) accused of raping a white woman through the local trial and miscarriage of justice to the Supreme Court and back again. With this as the central theme, the author describes the work of the NAACP, the history of Thurgood Marshall's work with the NAACP legal defense fund team, and the ever present activities of the KKK and the corrupt law enforcement and legal system in the south. A fascinating and instructive look at one of the many troubling times in U.S. history.

In whatsoever you do, get this book. The author delves into astonishing details; more than one would assume possible. What is more astonishing is the illustration of the depth of character of the human spirit, independent of socioeconomic, racial, or religious influences. An admitted pessimist to the virtue of our human race, this book gives me hope.

This book reads more like a Southern Gothic novel than the meticulously researched history of a tragedy that it is. The author brings the post-war South to life in a way that is engrossing, suspenseful, horrifying, and inspiring. He deftly moves from dark roads in secluded forests to bright streets in New York, from sweltering Southern courthouses to the powerful chamber of the Supreme Court, from evil backrooms to inspirational rallies. The powerful storytelling belies the reality of the events that are carefully noted and documented bringing greater impact to a small town event that shook the world.

I was in high school when first learned about Thurgood Marshall. By this time, he was a portly, elderly Justice of the Supreme Court. Despite later learning about his work on Brown, I have always had a hard time shaking my first impression of him as an unhealthy looking man who I first saw only as a token. Thanks to this book, that image is forever gone. In its place is the striking figure of a young, dynamic, intelligent, and attractive firebrand who worked tirelessly to change the world and make it better for all of us. Many civic rights leaders have greater recognition today than Marshall, but I now shudder to think of what the world might have been like without him.

One of the great values of this book is the way it makes a horrifying, almost unbelievable event American history readable and accessible. The author manages to be fair to the people of that time and place without demonizing them, yet he refuses to allow the reader to overlook the evil and terror of that dark period that, in many ways, still exists today. He also elevates that power of the heroes who took part in that history and implies that change in the world will only come from us as individuals, much as it did from them. This is not just a great book because it brings to light a terrible piece of our history, but it does so in such a way that inspires us to continuing wanting to make a difference.

Excellent book that detailed what happened to AA in Florida and the work of Thurgood Marshall and other dedicated AA in confronting the behavior of whites treatment of AA . Important read in order to understand the work of the NAACP and their legal work in defense of AA and other cases they pursued to improve the life of the AA during the JIm Crowe time period in America. Very impactful for this 72 year old white woman..

Wonderfully researched and written, the author vividly portrays a cruel era that was not that long ago. This happened about the time I was born and I knew nothing of it. It provides the context for the civil rights movement and all that has followed and I could not put this down. Thank you to the author for writing this and educating many as a result.

As a former reporter for the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times), I was in Florida working for the paper at the time Norman Bunin reported on the brutality of Sheriff Willis McCall and his deputies. Gilbert King did a fine job of assembling the facts and relaying one of the most terrifying examples of rampant lynch law. I heard Mr. King speak recently and he said he started out as a photographer, not a writer. If sol, he made the jump with many feet to spare.

An excellent read to understand the past and present history of the (Un) United States. The past "policies" of hatred in the country, which unfortunately continue in a nation claiming virtue and religion on it's reason for being. Or is that it's reason for killing.

An example of mans inhumanity to other human beings
based on historical information and presented as a best selling work of fiction might be presented. The. Acceptance of the Deep South justice system that prevailed in central Florida is rather unbelievable but examples of the bias that permitted it to exist can still be found throughout the country today.
It's exposure of a little of Thurgood MARSHALL's life is probably in itself worth the read but the book itself is exploring only the tip of the ice berg as to what life was like for the colors and poor whites in the South long after the Civil War. It certainly makes one think and hope that although we are now living in a time where greed has developed a caste System here in the United States sheriffs such as sheriff McCall are now just a part of history and not still making history.

Excellent writing. Written in the style of a crime thriller. So many unknown facts about Marshall and the Naacp that you have to wonder why this is not covered in public schools. So much of American history is missing.

Very intriguing book about the racism that was rampant in the south for many years. It portrayed Thurgood Marshall as a fighter for his race and seeking justice for those who were falsely accused and demeaned because of the color of their skin. It was a historical book and was well-written.

Having moved to Central Florida over 30 years ago, I had heard about past Klan activities but until reading this book had no idea of the hatred and evil perpetrated on black citizens. The theme of institutional racism permeates the book and reminds us to be vigilant of government and other leaders. I know many of the Central Florida communities where these events occurred and will always be mindful of these tragedies and the mindset that allowed injustice to rule. Living in mostly white suburbia can lead to the impression that racism is a thing of the past. But the culture in Central Florida in the late 1940s and early 1950 that permitted these events to occur and go unpunished is not quickly or easily washed away.
Great book for Central Floridians of all ages.

A moving history of civil rights and the unflappable Thurgood Marshall. This book gives some insight as to why some people (right or wrong) do not have faith that they will be protected by the law. Disturbing and yet immensely inspiring. Hard to put down once you start.

Gilbert King has touched on a time in history when we, as Americans, can learn from our mistakes. Devil in the Grove is a reminder that tolerance is critical in advancing as a society. Devil reads like a crime thriller where the good guys are the bad guys and the victims tear at our heartstrings. It's no wonder that Devil has been optioned for a major motion picture.

Very readable and detailed writing of the horrific true saga of the Groveland Boys and the way that episode has become another black mark in the history of the South in particular, and of America has a whole. For those who like to simply beat the repetitive drum of America's shining example of universal liberty and equality, this book would be a reminder to tone down the attitude of chauvinism. The book describes in grisly detail what horrors the African American had to endure in the south and particularly in Florida as recently as 1946 which was the year after WWII ended and when thousands of African Americans laid down their lives for the U.S.A. in Europe and the Far East. For newcomers to American history it will come as a shock to read how brutally African American veterans of the War simply had to go back to enduring Jim Crow and endure virtual slavery 80 years after the Emanicipation Proclamation.
Through the book the early life and career of a great American hero, Justice Thurgood Marshall, is referred to and though it is not a detailed biography of Marshall, we learn how he ran the legal branch of the seriously unfunded and struggling NAACP and the cases he won in court for the betterment of his nation. I have never read in such graphic detail the savagery that was meted out to African Americans as in this book even though that is not the purpose of this book. I recommend this text to anyone, particularly the recently arrived, starry eyed foreigner to this country. What one reads is recent, not remote history and if one remembers the attempted suppression of minority voting in Florida that occurred in the year 2000 and 2004 one is dismayed that things haven't really taken a turn for the better yet.

very disturbing that hate can wrought so much carnage and awful people are protected by the law and governing authorities....florida is built on hate and racism and should be abandoned just for those reasons

Given my age, this book brought more to the story of Civil Rights than I knew. I knew if Mississippi, Alabama, and other Southern States, but Florida is often left out of the discussions. This one book brought to the forefront the extreme issues of racism and makes one wonder if the story is really over.

Book has heroes, villains and participants,
Rape, Death, betrayal, falsehoods, trials, appeals, more deaths, justice?
Must read for trial lawyers as the book is rich with trial tactics and strategy.
Must read for historical accounting of things that really happened here.
Hard to put down!
Incidentally, true!

This is an interesting story about one of Thurgood Marshall's early case's as a NAACP lawyer. I grew up know him as the first Black Supreme Court justice and as the lawyer that argued the Brown v. Board of education case before the Supreme Court. This book highlights a part of his career that I was not as familiar with. As it turns out, while all of his better known cases were winding their way through the courts, Marshall and the lawyers that worked with him were involved in a variety of cases such as the one that is highlighted in this book. In Devil in the Grove Marshall must deal with southern justice in its rawest form. 3 young black men are accused of rape of a white woman with a racist sheriff that runs the county like it is his own personal fiefdom. The story is fast paced and the author puts the story in the account of wider events taking place in the country. The author also does a good job of mentioning some of the rivalries that took place among the lawyer of the NAACP as well as the strains Marshall's career put on his marriage. This is a very well written book that gives the reader a greater appreciation of Marshal and his career.

Central Florida is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations. In a compelling, vivid and very readable history, King describes the terror that existed there only 65 years ago by focusing on the very human Thurgood Marshall and his role in addrssing racial injustice. The book focuses on the prosection and persecution of four young black men and Marshall's role in their defense. In the process, King paints a disturbing picture of the abuses of Florida's criminal justice system and the challanges faced by Marshall's NAACP Legal Defense Fund in addressing them. This book must be read.

This book is for anyone who is interested in understanding race relations in the south through the first half of
the twentieth century. It provides clear as well as nuanced details regarding the politics, legal forces, the KKK and
the general public. Yet, it is also very personal in understanding the determination and fortitude of Thurgood
Marshall and others who fought to correct the prejudices and inhumanity that occurred.

This book should be required reading on college history curriculums across the US. It's a story that makes us realize our potential to do good as well as our potential to do evil both as Americans and human beings.

Pulitzer prize winning story of an American Odysseus at battle with evil and hate. He gave a damn. He wrestled with the Grand Dragon's minions, and the Medusa of apathy to breathe life into the constitution. Give a damn. Learn from a good man.

For younger generations in particular, this well documented and well written account of the arrest, prosecution and defense of four African Americans charged with raping a white woman in 1947 central Florida is essential to understanding how far we have come as a country on issues of race, and the debt we owe to courageous figures like Thurgood Marshall and others at the forefront of the civil rights movement.

This was an outstanding book that captivated me like a great fictional novel. While it is sad that that all of the events are true, it provides great insight into the mind and drive of Thurgood Marshall and the tyranny of the segregationalist south.

Excellent, yet terribly difficult and emotional read. I have been a huge fan of Thurgood Marshall, his precedent setting civil rights cases leaving an indelible mark on my political leanings in law school. After reading "Devil In The Grove," Justice Marshall is right up there with Pres. Lincoln as the two men with whom I would most like to have a conversation. Thank you, Mr. King, for further enlightening my meager appreciation of the civil rights battle in the south.

It is often difficult to remember that this is not a Grisham novel,
but a true story of events that really happened.

It is a cautionary tale, as voting rights and civil rights are now under
full scale attack by one of our major parties.

A terrific book.

This important piece of history is a must read for anyone interested in the life and work of our beloved Thurgood Marshall and the other lawyers and workers in the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This book is a chronicle of heroes known and unknown in the civil rights movement.

Great book. I was looking for a Thurgood Marshall bio and ended up with this, which gives a gripping, intimate portrait of an American original and Hero of Humanity. So when I began mentioning to friends how powerful DitG is, I kept finding out they had already read it (in like two days).
One caveat: Anyone who loves Florida had better get braced for shocking truth about its past of incredible hardcore homicidal racism . . .

This well-written account illustrates the physical courage of Thurgood Marshall as the NAACP trial lawyer going into southern towns to provide legal representation in the face of direct threats of death.

Incredible book! Nonfiction that reads like a novel. Page turner. I stayed up two nights to read it because I couldn't put it down. True story of injustice, but also humbling to read about the brave people who took a stand and risked their lives during the civil rights movement.

Incredible book! Nonfiction that reads like a novel. Page turner. I stayed up two nights to read it because I couldn't put it down. True story of injustice, but also humbling to read about the brave people who took a stand and risked their lives during the civil rights movement.

This is a very well-written book and thoroughly researched. I had the misfortune of living in Lake County in the 1960's and 1970's and knew this incident well from the old-timers. Willis McCall was still sheriff there and the racial tension continued. The author captures the mood of the people and the meanness of the era.

Perhaps the hardest thing about Devil in the Grove is the knowledge that it isn't about ancient history but, in fact, reflects many underlying passions that exist today. Gilbert King has produced a readable history of a period in American history that many would love to deny or ignore. The writing style is fluid and engaging, even when the subject matter makes one cringe.

Page-turner! Rich with history not often told and in such a dynamic manner. I thought I was reading fiction at times because it all hung together so well. Heartbreaking too but we all need more truth about our past. Stunning.

Fantastic and timely true story of the atrocities against African Americans in the citrus groves of Florida. I found this book riveting though disturbing. I learned so much about Thirgood Marshall and the inception of the NAACP. Informative, enlightening and well written. As a white person, this changed forever the way I perceive race relations in the US.

This book offers a sober, analytical look at the sophisticated legal strategy that the NAACP painstakingly executed to eradicate lynching and race oppression in Florida. The author tackles the difficult task of contrasting the imperfect Thurgood Marshall and his legal team with the gangs of local politicians, law officers and Klansmen that made up their opposition. The NAACP side sometimes drank too much, led complicated family lives and played nasty office politics, The locals had few redeeming virtues, but there were occasional glimmers of kindness or, at least, humanity. The innate predictability of the actors on both sides, as well as knowing that Marshall's struggle against forces that behaved 99.9% evilly eventually was won, removes any sense of suspense from the narrative.

If the reader finds enough suspense in everyday life, Devil in the Grove is a rewarding book, thoroughly researched, clearly presented and competently put together. Its lack of connection with the larger scope of history is easily remedied by reading, for instance, W. J. Cash's The Mind of the South, a book that persuasively explains how the Florida crackers got that way in the first place.