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The Long Shadow of Little Rock: A Memoir

daisy bates

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Recounts the 1957 incident in which nine black children were prevented from entering school

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 1,1987
Literary awards
american book award, 

This edition

Format
272 pages, Paperback
Published
June 1, 1987 by University of Arkansas Press
ISBN
9780938626756
ASIN
0938626752
Language
English

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About the author

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daisy bates

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Not to be confused with the Australian Daisy Bates.

Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was an American civil rights activist, publisher, journalist, and lecturer who played a leading role in the Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 35 votes)
5 stars
12(34%)
4 stars
14(40%)
3 stars
9(26%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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35 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Inugirlz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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Your high school history class likely covered the Little Rock Nine briefly but to sit with Daisy Bates’s memoir and to read of the extreme brutality and hate of the white citizens of Little Rock…
My heart continually broke while reading. To think that this was only in 1957. Those 9 kids risked their lives to go to school. Anyone who spoke up or aided them risked their lives. How important it is to not let fear determine our decisions but how hard it is to swim against the current. How dangerous it is to view a human being as “other”
This should be required reading in Little Rock and all of Arkansas.
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Queen_Vania
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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A well written memoir about Daisy Bates and her role in the desegregation crisis in Little Rock. Much respect and admiration for Mrs. Bates and all those who risked a tremendous amount in seeing that a quality education should be the right of everyone, regardless of skin color. This book should be a part of Arkansas history curriculum in every public school in the state.
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portalweeb
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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I read this book for my class The Turbulent 1960s, and I thought it was a harrowing, gripping, well-written memoir. I gasped out loud several times during reading.

Reading specifically as the story talks about the LR9 and their experiences when they finally get into classes just wowed me.

Although I'm giving this 3 stars, it was a very good memoir, but I just liked it, didn't love it because it was dry and drug out at times!
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PipeOrganLover
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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An amazing memoir of an incredibly strong group of people and the major civil rights battle of Little Rock. The absolutely mind blowing strength of character the intergrationists displayed is one that should humble you and inspire you to be open minded and kind when it comes to others.
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fishiebabie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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I had to put the book down at least ten times just to take in the events that happen in this story, so shocking is the book. I am in awe of this woman's strength and courage to improve education for American citizens. She needs more schools, more highways, and more libraries named after her.

I have wanted to read this book ever since visiting the Central High School historic site in Little Rock, Arkansas. Not only is this an astounding memoir of freedom struggle, it is an extraordinary read about bad political leadership and how it can tear apart a community. The events in this book still impact the community of Little Rock to this day, sixty years later.

Arkansas has worked hard to heal this, designating President's Day also #DaisyBates day, and naming an elementary school after her. President Clinton called her the most distinguished citizen of Arkansas of all time and posthumously awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal.

I can not recommend this book enough as a book club or individual read. This book would astonish any American reader into asking, 'and just what have we, the American people, accomplished in the meantime on integration?'

Say her name: #DaisyBates!
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Amaterasu803
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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Daisy Bates provided an on the ground report of the happenings in Little Rock concerning the integration of Central High School, through expert level storytelling.
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Vin-nii
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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Incredible but heartbreaking story. I was assigned to read this for my Arkansas history class and I am so glad that they did. It is good to know and learn. Terrance Roberts actually came to my college last month but I was unable to make it to the event. I really wish I would have been able to go. It would have been so interesting. 10/10 good book. Really makes you think.
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ADud
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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One of the best books I've read this year.

Published in 1962, The Long Shadow chronicles the integration of Little Rock's all-white high school. The narrative is riveting, and the detail appalling.

What resonates so strongly in 2018 is that Daisy Bates wrote this memoir in the midst of the struggle for civil rights. She didn't know which way the citizens of the United States were going to go. Whether they would honor the founding principal that all people are created equal, and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Or whether Americans would abandon the principles on which this country was built and strengthen the hatred and bigotry that is an undying fungus in so many American hearts.

There has been profound progress since 1962, but reading this is a reminder that, in many horrifying ways, not that much has changed.
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