Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote

by Michael Eric Dyson, Marc Favreau Narrated by Michael Eric Dyson

Overview

Read about the electrifying and continuing fight for voting rights-and discover your place in it-in this dramatic exploration of American democracy, from renowned thought leader Michael Eric Dyson and widely celebrated author Marc Favreau.

One of the most important and least understood true stories of our nation, the fight for representation is an ongoing and epic quest to build the democracy sketched out in the Constitution but unfinished in the twenty-first century. With impeccable research and exhilarating prose, Represent tells the story of voting rights in the United States from the American Revolution up to the present day.

Each chapter takes on a new battle between the forces of people power and forces opposed to it. Readers will meet champions of freedom, including formerly enslaved revolutionaries, a Chinese American teenager, a Lakota Sioux activist, Black World War II veterans, a Mexican American student, and others who fought for their right to vote.

Drawing clear lines from then to now, Represent weaves this important struggle into a single American drama that will help readers understand our past, present, and future.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Children's Choice Book

"A vote is a kind of prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and our children.  Without it, I would not have a historic spot in the United States Senate and we the people would not have a democratic framework in which to fight for the things that matter.  At a time when that basic right is under assault by those committed to power at any cost, Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau have written the indispensable book we need right now.  Represent is a monumental contribution to our country’s perennial quest for justice and the right of every citizen to vote." —Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock

"Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau have written a compelling book that is a balm for our democracy. In story after story, Represent narrates the epic quest for the vote by a stirring variety of communities— Black, Mexican American, Native American, and women of all ethnicities. This brilliant book will inspire us to embrace a precious right that each generation must fight hard to preserve."—Reverend Al Sharpton

“A must read for every American, Dyson and Favreau introduce readers to some of the unsung heroes who have committed their lives to make democracy work for every citizen.”—The Root

* “This lively, accessible, and inspiring history deserves a wide readership. A concise, readable account of the struggle for equality, freedom, and democracy in the U.S.” —Kirkus, starred review

* “In a direct style with riveting, often overlooked details, [Dyson and Favreau] trace the long and even violent fight for women’s, Black, Latinx, Asian American, and Native American suffrage…[an] eye-opening narrative.” —Booklist, starred review 

* “This relevant and inspiring account … shows how the past is not as far removed as one may think.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “Timely and important…highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review

* "Exceptionally well researched, compelling, and honest.... Readers of all ages will benefit from picking up this stellar resource." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2024-06-15
An explanation of how Americans have fought for a precious right, one that’s central to democracy—and how it’s still threatened today.

Although the struggle for representation lies at the heart of U.S. history, Dyson and Favreau persuasively argue that the Founding Fathers abhorred the “people power” of true democracy, preferring the power of money and chattel slavery. States overwhelmingly restricted the voting rights of women, those who didn’t own property, Native Americans, free Black people, and, later, those of Chinese descent. But the roughly two-thirds of the population who were disenfranchised continually fought for the vote, and their stories vividly unfold in three parts: “Promises,” “Awakening,” and “Two Roads.” These sections cover 19th-century efforts to expand access to the ballot as the population grew and the electorate shrank “under the pressure of mob violence and discriminatory laws”; 20th-century battles, for example, for women’s and Native American suffrage and equal access for Black voters; and finally, present-day obstacles, including the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the impact of disinformation spread by dark-money groups. Nevertheless, the authors stress the positives in their clear, well-paced account, showing the courage, persistence, and sacrifices of those who have advanced and exercised voting rights and introducing readers to a diverse range of activists they should know about. This lively, accessible, and inspiring history deserves a wide readership.

A concise, readable account of the struggle for equality, freedom, and democracy in the U.S. (authors’ note, ideas for taking action, timeline, further reading, source notes, index)(Nonfiction. 13-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160483924
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos