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A Mighty Long Way
When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957, she and eight other black students only wanted to make it to class. But the journey of the “Little Rock Nine,” as they came to be known, would lead the nation on an even longer and much more turbulent path, one that would challenge prevailing attitudes, brea...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
July 27th 2010
by Random House Publishing Group
(first published 2009)
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I just finished A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page. Carlotta was one of the Little Rock Nine. If that means nothing to you let me recount a little history: "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954),[1:] was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students, denying black children equal ...more
It took an incredible amount of courage to be one of those nine children that walked into Little Rock Central High School on that fateful day in 1957. It took even more courage to rehash it all and write a book about it. I barely had the courage to read it all. I grew upset quite often, Carlotta's story brought up memories of my own school years. The name calling, the jeers, being slammed into lockers or kicked, having someone walk behind you stepping on your heels, the teachers that look th...more
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Absolutely wonderful!
Carlotta Walls just wanted to get the best education she could. That the best local school happened to be Little Rock's Central High School, that she happened to be black, and that it happened to be 1957 didn't mean she wanted to make history. But, make history she did, as one of the famed Little Rock Nine.
This is Carlotta's story, told in her own words, including everything from the narratives of the generations before her right up to the present day...more
Carlotta Walls just wanted to get the best education she could. That the best local school happened to be Little Rock's Central High School, that she happened to be black, and that it happened to be 1957 didn't mean she wanted to make history. But, make history she did, as one of the famed Little Rock Nine.
This is Carlotta's story, told in her own words, including everything from the narratives of the generations before her right up to the present day...more
This book was fascinating. I remember the news of the 9 black students who were the first to integrate Little Rock Central High School but I had never thought about what their experience would have been. Carlotta LaNier first described her growing up, a story which resonated with me despite the facts that my circumstances, as a Northern white girl in private schools, were totally different. I was surprised at the reasons Carlotta wanted to go to the white school. She wasn't trying to start a...more
One of the Little Rock Nine - the first African American students admitted to Central High School in 1957 under a desegregation order from President Eisenhower - breaks her 50 year silence to return to the dark days that marked the beginning of the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
Although this is an important, heartbreaking, inspiring book, the restrained writing doesn't make for an engaging book. Chapter 1 opens with a pedigree and family history to establish the importan...more
Although this is an important, heartbreaking, inspiring book, the restrained writing doesn't make for an engaging book. Chapter 1 opens with a pedigree and family history to establish the importan...more
A childhood should be happy; Going to school, hanging with friends, learning and preparing for adulthood; But sadly for so many, it isn't. One of the best memoirs I have read was by one of the former Little Rock Nine Melba Patillo Beals detailing her life specifically as one of the first of nine young people to integrate Little Rock Arkansas' Central High School in 1957; I kind of wish that the others would do the same, but I can accept that some things you truly want to forget because it is so ...more
I gave this four stars because the story - the experience of being one of the Little Rock Nice - is awesome. The book itself isn't a great literary work, but that's not what it's meant to be. It's meant to try to give you a glimpse of what it was like to be one of those nine young people who integrated Little Rock Central High School - and it does that wonderfully. It is well written and keeps the flow going.
Carlotta Walls will be going to high school shortly after the Supreme Cou...more
Carlotta Walls will be going to high school shortly after the Supreme Cou...more
As someone who wasn't alive during the civil rights struggles of the 50s and 60s, I really enjoyed reading this book as a way to get a glimpse into the events and emotions of that time. The integration of Central High School was a pivotal event and it was both inspiring and heart-breaking to read the author's story. All the students (and their parents) had tremendous courage and strength to persevere. One thing that stuck out for me was how the experiences of those traumatic years had a huge imp...more
I'm on a roll these last few years with civil rights books. And every time I read one, it's just almost impossible to believe how awful things were in our very own country a mere fifty years ago. People behaved in despicable, horrifying ways. It is terrible to consider. And important to consider, too. I'm glad Carlotta gutted out her time at Central High School despite incessant threats, humiliation, and loneliness. I'm glad she didn't get killed. I'm glad she and the other Little Rock Nine have...more
We met Carlotta Walls LaNier when she visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to her talk about A Mighty Long Way</em? here: http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=454
About this podcast:
When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957, she and eight other black students only wanted to make it to class. But the journey of the "Little Rock Nine," as they came to be known, would lea...more
About this podcast:
When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957, she and eight other black students only wanted to make it to class. But the journey of the "Little Rock Nine," as they came to be known, would lea...more
This book was about the Little Rock 9, and the racial upheaval that took place during the desegregation of Central High. I am sad to confess my ignorance of history. I was not aware that the school was closed for a whole school year to both black and white students. This first person account was factual and interesting. The hurt to the heart is expressed in this sentiment: "Some days I was so mentally exhausted that I didn't have the energy to guard my heart. In those low moments, when the...more
This is an excellent civil–rights themed memoir, written by one of the Little Rock Nine who lives right here in the Denver area. Carlotta faced unthinkable circumstances as a young girl integrating a southern high school, but she writes that she always saw herself as trying to get the best education possible and not as an activist or pioneer. I was most touched by how, in the midst of angry mobs at the school gates and tortuous classmates in the hallways, she still worried about the simple every...more
This was such a wonderful book! And add it to the very short list of books that have made me cry.
This is the 2nd book I've read that was written by someone who attended Little Rock Central High- the other one was Warriors Don't Cry.
Her reason for going to Central High was because she wanted to go to one of the top high schools in the country, and not because of the history it would make. It was clear throughout the whole book that education was important to her and he...more
This is the 2nd book I've read that was written by someone who attended Little Rock Central High- the other one was Warriors Don't Cry.
Her reason for going to Central High was because she wanted to go to one of the top high schools in the country, and not because of the history it would make. It was clear throughout the whole book that education was important to her and he...more
POWERFUL. POIGNANT. INSPIRING.
To a cocksure, cavalier, albeit grossly naïve, sixteen year old white boy in London, Kentucky/New Haven, Connecticut, 1957—a year of 15¢ McDonalds’ hamburgers and 10¢ french-fries; of newly-born rock-’n-roll, transistor radios and 45 rpm records; of Johnny Cash and Ferlin Husky; of Bill Haley, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley—was quite possibly the best year in the history of forever. To a fourteen year old black girl in Little Rock, Arkansas, however, it...more
To a cocksure, cavalier, albeit grossly naïve, sixteen year old white boy in London, Kentucky/New Haven, Connecticut, 1957—a year of 15¢ McDonalds’ hamburgers and 10¢ french-fries; of newly-born rock-’n-roll, transistor radios and 45 rpm records; of Johnny Cash and Ferlin Husky; of Bill Haley, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley—was quite possibly the best year in the history of forever. To a fourteen year old black girl in Little Rock, Arkansas, however, it...more
After hearing a half-hour segment of NPR's Talk of the Nation (the radio show that gets me through the work week!) featuring Carlotta Walls LaNier of the Little Rock Nine, I was inspired to pick up her memoir at the library—A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School.
As a bit of a history lesson, the Supreme Court declared segregation unconstitutional in the 1954 case of Brown vs. Board of Education. When the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, was forced t...more
As a bit of a history lesson, the Supreme Court declared segregation unconstitutional in the 1954 case of Brown vs. Board of Education. When the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, was forced t...more
This is a memoir by one of the Little Rock 9, Carlotta Walls, one of the nine who had kept her story to herself for decades. Her narrative provides a sad but honest look at the mechanism of Jim Crow in the 1950s and '60s, and of how racists battled to hang on to their 'Southern way of life.' One cannot come away from this book without admiring the courage and determination of the young Carlotta---what an inspiration she can be for today's teenagers.
I attended LRCH thirty years after integration. Walls story is powerful and I learned so much more than I expected. She really gave a sense for what it was like to be her during the time of upheaval. The after effects were also profound. Through it all, it is clear she is such a positive person, who sees the best in everyone. I highly recommend this book especially to everyone who attended LRCH.
Really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about everything these brave teenagers went through just to be able to go to a public high school. We went to Little Rock over spring break in March and saw Central High School (an amazing building--not like your typical HS at all) and went to the visitors' center across the street.
To be honest, I only read two chapters of this book. For whatever reason, it was kind of hard for me to get into. Maybe it's because I was kind of forcing myself to read it, which makes reading less fun. I did, however, go hear the author speak (which was why I'd started reading the book in the first place), and I really appreciated her message.
Mrs. LaNier, the other members of the Little Rock Nine, and their family, neighbors, and friends, went through a lot to help make a differ...more
Mrs. LaNier, the other members of the Little Rock Nine, and their family, neighbors, and friends, went through a lot to help make a differ...more
I had read Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Patillo Beals a few years ago, so it was interesting to get another perspective. This should be required reading at the high school level. Have people forgotten how hard people fought (and with such dignity) for civil rights for people of color?
I really liked the very personal approach the author took. I know all about the politics of the times but Carlotta Walls Lanier transcended the politics to bring us a story with much more meaning. She is one very courageous lady!
Another book that exemplifies courage....Carlotta was one of those brave kids who endured a horrible year at Little Rock Central HS. I couldn't believe how children could be abused by other students and their parents.
I saw the author speak and was very intrigued by this story. A very detailed and informative account of how she came to be and cope with being one of the "Little Rock Nine". Great and intriguing story.
Very moving book. President Clinton summed it up in his introduction: "A Might Long Way will make you ashamed and proud, angry and hopeful, heartsick and happy. Carlotta tells it as it was, a story we all need to know."
I am re-reading this for the 2nd time. This author will be in Minot next week to speak. This is a good read and makes you wonder how human beings can be so cruel to one another.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I got to work on processing the collection which was used to write the book. I got to meet her and look at her collection. This book is special to me.
Every American should read this book. These people were heroes in my own back yard. I will be interviewing Carlotta Walls LaNier for my blog, Aberration Nation soon. Watch for that!
Touching story that reminds us that, unfortunately, there's still a lot of anger and prejudice out there. While things have changed since Jim Crow, we still have work to do.
What an amazing story and a testament to the power of learning and the need for education. I'm so thankful that Carlotta LaNier has shared her journey with us and has overcome some of that PTSD to be able to talk to others about this. It also has repercussions on the way in which some parts of our current society want to make sure that other populations don't get education. Shame on the Tea Party and their ilk.
I loved this book. I am so glad I got to meet the author at the KC Main Library. What an amazing story she has to share.
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