Arc of Justice

Highly esteemed history professor, author, and editor Kevin Boyle was presented with the National Book Award for this stunning literary achievement. Arc of Justice artfully captures a tumultuous period in American history as it tells a shocking story of violence and racial strife. The grandson of a slave, Dr. Ossian Sweet moved his family to an all-white Detroit neighborhood in 1925. When his neighbors attempted to drive him out, Sweet defended himself—resulting in the death of a white man and a murder trial for Sweet. There followed one of the most important (and shockingly unknown) cases in Civil Rights history. Also caught up in the intense courtroom drama were legal giant Clarence Darrow and the newly formed National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Boyle's captivating book is nonfiction at its most engaging. With its eye-opening insight into Jazz Age race relations, this important work is indispensable reading for all Americans. "...an amazing and unforgettable story of prejudice and justice at the dawn of America's racial awakening." –David Maraniss, best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize winner