Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America
Candacy A. Taylor
Apr 2022 · Abrams
5.0star
2 reviewsreport
Ebook
360
Pages
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About this ebook
This historical exploration of the Green Book offers "a fascinating [and] sweeping story of black travel within Jim Crow America across four decades" ( The New York Times Book Review).
Published from 1936 to 1966, the Green Book was hailed as the "black travel guide to America." At that time, it was very dangerous and difficult for African-Americans to travel because they couldn't eat, sleep, or buy gas at most white-owned businesses. The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were safe for black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem.
It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and Overground Railroad celebrates the stories of those who put their names in the book and stood up against segregation. Author Candacy A. Taylor shows the history of the Green Book, how we arrived at our present historical moment, and how far we still have to go when it comes to race relations in America.
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020
Published from 1936 to 1966, the Green Book was hailed as the "black travel guide to America." At that time, it was very dangerous and difficult for African-Americans to travel because they couldn't eat, sleep, or buy gas at most white-owned businesses. The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were safe for black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem.
It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and Overground Railroad celebrates the stories of those who put their names in the book and stood up against segregation. Author Candacy A. Taylor shows the history of the Green Book, how we arrived at our present historical moment, and how far we still have to go when it comes to race relations in America.
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020
Ratings and reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Robby L. Elliott
- Flag inappropriate
September 1, 2023
I learned a lot of knowledge facts from reading these pages. Enjoy this book.
About the author
Candacy Taylor is an award-winning author, photographer and cultural documentarian. Her work has been featured in over 50 media outlets including the New Yorker and The Atlantic. She is the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants including The Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She lives in New York, NY.
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