Daisy Bates' book about her experiences growing up in a segregated south, racism and tragedy marking her from a young age, and how that spurred her into becoming the leader she turned into is a must for anyone trying to understand not only the crisis of 1957 in Little Rock, but also one of the most famous civil rights leaders of the time.
I do wonder if some of her comments about how the kids were all doing just fine, after being subjected to what they endured, was just a bit of sugar coating it. After reading Elizabeth and Hazel and learning all about Elizabeth Eckford's life long struggle with mental illness, it is clear that she struggled and suffered tremendously. The children seemed like they were excellent actors, able to put up a front so that the adults around them couldn't figure out how much they were suffering.
I did appreciate this book and it's point of view about what was going on in the lives of the adults involved, that had not been discussed at length in any of the other books I've read so far about the subject.

Although the content (was good) of the history of the Little Rock Nine of whom Mrs. Bates was the advisor and daily chaperone whom the nine studied with each day, the writing of Mrs. Bates could have used more polish. This short book was lagging in several places. The best part of the content was Mrs. Bates' description of each of the students and how they were able to withstand the disgrace of attending an all white school, both teachers and students.
2/2/2018

Leader of the historic Little Rock school desegregation battle

First person detailed account from the leader of the desegregation of Little Rock's Central High in 1957 and the struggle that followed.

Daisy Bates chronicles her childhood in a mill town in southern Arkansas including the racist rape and murder of her mother, that she was too young to remember. Explains how her early experiences steeled her to become a national leader. Then goes on to describe the Little Rock events with a level of detail, empathy, and insight only she could bring.

It’s more important than ever to learn about people like Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine. Her memoir is poignant and personal, and humanizes the children who endured years of abuse all for the honorable pursuit of desegregation. It helps me to put in perspective what the work is, what has been done, and how much we still have left to do, as well as the temerity and honesty needed to achieve it.

Heartbreaking and powerful. Interesting to read a different perspective (an adult helping) on the Little Rock High School integration in 1957, in Arkansas, USA, comparing it to A Mighty Long Way and Warriors Don’t Cry written by two of the students. While the writing isn’t that complex, the subject matter is compelling and inspiring.

Excellent and devastating record of the struggle to integrate Central HS in Little Rock

Really enhances the perspective of the Little Rock Nine. What a beautifully written piece of non fiction

An amazing Civil Rights memoir that demonstrates incredible courage and insight into race relations in the 1950s South. You know that is going to be good when Elenore Roosevelt writes the original foreword!

Captivating, and hard to put down. It can be a difficult read at some times, but should be on everyone's list.

"How long? How long?" Daisy Bates questions. How long will racial inequality last in the United States? Mrs. Bates has since passed, but in 2012 evidence that this country still has miles to go remains.
This story of the Little Rock Nine compliments other memoirs, notably that of Melba Patillo Beals, and is told from the perspective of an adult woman experiencing the persecution of the forced integration of Central High School.
I really enjoyed the explanation of each student as well as the unabashed, tell it like it is style of writing.
"In the great struggle of the colored peoples of the world for equality and independence - the struggle that is one of the truly crucial events of the twentieth century - the episode of the children in Little Rock is a landmark of historic significance".
For the world today it seems Mrs. Bates' question is still a legitimate one, that must be answered if this country truly ever wants to be the promised land.
Very well written, very personal and real. Highly recommend.

Another fascinating look at what happened during the 1957 Little Rock high school integration.