They Stole a City

In They Stole A City, Lauren Collins presents a compelling and comprehensive history of the 1898 white supremacist massacre in Wilmington, North Carolina, exploring its enduring impact through the stories of four families over 125 years. The narrative chronicles Wilmington's brief flourishing of Black success during Reconstruction, followed by the violent coup that overthrew its multiracial government, leaving a legacy of racial terror and discrimination that resonates through generations. By collaborating with descendants of both Black and white families, Collins offers a deeper understanding of this pivotal historical event and its implications for contemporary America, underscoring the ongoing struggle for racial justice.