The Third Reconstruction

America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century

By: Peniel E. Joseph

Narrated by: Peniel E. Joseph

One of our preeminent historians of race and democracy argues that the period since 2008 has marked nothing less than America’s Third Reconstruction

In The Third Reconstruction, distinguished historian Peniel E. Joseph offers a powerful and personal new interpretation of recent history. The racial reckoning that unfolded in 2020, he argues, marked the climax of a Third Reconstruction: a new struggle for citizenship and dignity for Black Americans, just as momentous as the movements that arose after the Civil War and during the civil rights era. Joseph draws revealing connections and insights across centuries as he traces this Third Reconstruction from the election of Barack Obama to the rise of Black Lives Matter to the failed assault on the Capitol.

America’s first and second Reconstructions fell tragically short of their grand aims. Our Third Reconstruction offers a new chance to achieve Black dignity and citizenship at last—an opportunity to choose hope over fear.

Amazing and hopefully insightful

I loved the book. I will listen again to be ste. His insights and viewpoints are extremely insightful.

Good overall

Good book. Puts Bernie’s campaign on the jill stein level, and asserts that only Biden could have beaten trump, both of which are specious opinions. In reality I’d say Bernie was very electable, and Biden was down ballot poison.

Revealing & powerful.

It should be required reading in High School. The story reveals who we are as a nation & the work that needs to be done.