Elizabeth and Hazel

Two Women of Little Rock

By: David Margolick

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

The names Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan Massery may not be well known, but the image of them from September 1957 surely is: a Black high-school girl, dressed in white, walking stoically in front of Little Rock Central High School, and a White girl standing directly behind her, face twisted in hate, screaming racial epithets. This famous photograph captures the full anguish of desegregation - in Little Rock and throughout the South - and an epic moment in the civil rights movement.

In this gripping book, David Margolick tells the remarkable story of two separate lives unexpectedly braided together. He explores how the haunting picture of Elizabeth and Hazel came to be taken, its significance in the wider world, and why, for the next half-century, neither woman has ever escaped from its long shadow. He recounts Elizabeth's struggle to overcome the trauma of her hate-filled school experience, and Hazel's long efforts to atone for a fateful, horrible mistake.

©2011 Yale University (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Margolick's book becomes utterly engrossing, for it touches on a variety of thorny, provocative themes: the power of race, the nature of friendship, the role of personality, the capacity for brutality and for forgiveness." ( Publishers Weekly)

Misunderstandings

As painful racial discrimination is, a glimmer of hope sparkle with Elizabeth and Hazel's friendship. I sincerely hope that light sparkles again.

More stories to be told

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The story is one that is not known about two women who are integral to the education system in the US.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth. I have meet her 18 times and she continues to amaze me with the strength she presents although others often call her frail. She is straight forward and you have to deal with it or not. I have seen her and her friend Minnijean Brown-Trickey interact with students and they are sincere and committed to encouraged them to stand up to bullying and demand an education not whitewashed or politicized.

Which character – as performed by Carrington MacDuffie – was your favorite?

Elizabeth.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Multiple, would give away the story line.

History comes to life

The author's research and diligence made a photograph from 1957 come to life. His deep dive in to the ongoing lives of the two girls in the news photograph is both astonishing and enlightening.

Powerful

This book teaches so many lessons about relationships, specially those of friendships. it is very interesting to hear both sides of the story; evn though it has a sad ending, just like life.

Honest and provocative

Excellent book that examines honestly issues between people, blacks and whites, blacks and other blacks, whites and other whites relating to civil rights generally, to the people of Little Rock and to Hazel and Elizabeth. A great book for those seeking understanding.