A Massacre in Memphis

In A Massacre in Memphis, Stephen V. Ash explores the brutal racial violence that erupted in Memphis in May 1866, just after the Civil War. Over three harrowing days, white mobs targeted black neighborhoods, resulting in the deaths of forty-six freed individuals and prompting Congress to initiate Radical Reconstruction in response to widespread white resistance. Ash skillfully reveals the complexities of postwar Memphis, showcasing the lives of Yankees, former Rebels, Irish immigrants, and freed people during this tumultuous period, all while providing a deeply affecting and journalistic account of the riot's unfolding. This work presents a unique and richly documented perspective on a pivotal moment in American history.