History has never been my strong suit, but I like to think I know a little about the integration movement. I attended the Prince Edward County public schools, which were part of the Brown versus Board of Education lawsuit, and the community remembers this strongly. Still, I didn’t know much about the Montgomery bus boycott - certainly not how long it lasted. I knew what it had accomplished, and about the role of Rosa Parks and Reverend King, and had heard some of the other names here, but the magnitude of the boycott was much greater than I knew.

Reading this, I was in awe of the bravery and determination of the leaders and the thousands who added a little difficulty to their lives in order to make our country a better place. I was also deeply impressed with just how clearly, convincingly, and repeatedly Reverend King stressed nonviolence. I wish the world had more leaders like him.

The writing of this book is clear and straightforward. It offers both descriptions and photos of many specific examples of segregation that may surprise people - I definitely didn’t know there were white-only drink machines.

The book’s liveliness and inclusion of detail make it more accessible and interesting than the accounts in most textbooks. Going into the details of how people arranged to spend thirteen months without riding buses, and describing the meetings of boycott organizers and the rallies for the thousands who followed them, reflects the reality of what happened in Montgomery and makes it all the more amazing.