Blood Done Sign My Name

A True Story

By: Timothy B. Tyson

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

The “riveting”* true story of the fiery summer of 1970, which would forever transform the town of Oxford, North Carolina—a classic portrait of the fight for civil rights in the tradition of To Kill a Mockingbird

*Chicago Tribune

On May 11, 1970, Henry Marrow, a twenty-three-year-old black veteran, walked into a crossroads store owned by Robert Teel and came out running. Teel and two of his sons chased and beat Marrow, then killed him in public as he pleaded for his life.

Like many small Southern towns, Oxford had barely been touched by the civil rights movement. But in the wake of the killing, young African Americans took to the streets. While lawyers battled in the courthouse, the Klan raged in the shadows and black Vietnam veterans torched the town’s tobacco warehouses. Tyson’s father, the pastor of Oxford’s all-white Methodist church, urged the town to come to terms with its bloody racial history. In the end, however, the Tyson family was forced to move away.

Tim Tyson’s gripping narrative brings gritty blues truth and soaring gospel vision to a shocking episode of our history.

FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD

“If you want to read only one book to understand the uniquely American struggle for racial equality and the swirls of emotion around it, this is it.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Blood Done Sign My Name is a most important book and one of the most powerful meditations on race in America that I have ever read.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Pulses with vital paradox . . . It’s a detached dissertation, a damning dark-night-of-the-white-soul, and a ripping yarn, all united by Tyson’s powerful voice, a brainy, booming Bubba profundo.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Engaging and frequently stunning.”—San Diego Union-Tribune©2004 Timothy B. Tyson; (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a divison of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Admirable and unexpected...a riveting story that will have his readers weeping with both laughter and sorrow.” —Chicago Tribune

“Blood Done Sign My Name is a most important book and one of the most powerful meditations on race in America that I have ever read.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Pulses with vital paradox . . . It’s a detached dissertation, a damning dark-night-of-the-white-soul, and a ripping yarn, all united by Tyson’s powerful voice, a brainy, booming Bubba profundo.” —Entertainment Weekly

“If you want to read only one book to understand the uniquely American struggle for racial equality and the swirls of emotion around it, this is it.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Engaging and frequently stunning.” —San Diego Union-Tribune

Powerful and important book. Highly recommend.

I was given a copy of this book many years ago. I had never really read it. I have been moved beyond words. This book takes you through the full range of human emotion from sickening to hope in humanity. The raw honesty and willingness to dig deep and face the truth of our history is such a rare find.

Great Book!

I really enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend to a friend or someone looking for a good read.

History we need to know

If you could sum up Blood Done Sign My Name in three words, what would they be?

Eye-opening, humbling

What was one of the most memorable moments of Blood Done Sign My Name?

All of the personal recollections of racism were very moving.

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

The father - Vernon Tyson

This Is A Very Good Book

Listening to Tyson describe the North Carolina of the 1960s, I was reminded how much the world has changed in the last half century. Ku Klux Klan rallies, widespread white supremacism, corrupt judicial systems -- that culture of hate is almost unrecognizeable today. In addition to solid history and a gripping true crime narrative, the book includes thoughtful sections on nonviolence. Tyson shows that much of the nonviolence movement of the 1960s was a myth, and that violence and physical force were necessary to change our culture. This book is filled with big ideas and big questions, but it is written in a plain style that is easy to understand. It is smart without being difficult. Highly recommended.

Fantastic!

A must read for any native North Carolinian. A book that can change outlooks and lives.