White Lies

The Double Life of Walter F. White and America's Darkest Secret

By: A. J. Baime

Narrated by: Wayne Carr

A New Yorker Best Book of the Year 2022

An “electrifying” biography of Walter White, a little-remembered Black civil rights leader who passed for white in order to investigate racist murders, help put the NAACP on the map, and change the racial identity of America forever (Chicago Review of Books).

Walter F. White led two lives: one as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance and the NAACP in the early twentieth century; the other as a white newspaperman who covered lynching crimes in the Deep South at the blazing height of racial violence. Born mixed race and with very fair skin and straight hair, White was able to “pass” for white. He leveraged this ambiguity as a reporter, bringing to light the darkest crimes in America and helping to plant the seeds of the civil rights movement.

White’s risky career led him to lead a double life. He was simultaneously a second-class citizen subject to Jim Crow laws at home and a widely respected professional with full access to the white world at work. His life was fraught with internal and external conflict—much like the story of race in America. Starting out as an obscure activist, White ultimately became Black America’s most prominent leader, during his time. A character study of White’s life and career with all these complexities has never been rendered, until now.

By the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental President, Dewey Defeats Truman, and The Arsenal of Democracy, White Lies uncovers the life of a civil rights leader unlike any other.

Best NAACP & Black History

A moving & detailed History of the Civil Rights movement and Walter White, one of the founders of NAACP. His dedication to being a journalist who could pass for white in the deep South put his life at risk. Surprise characters like Clarence Darrow make amazing historical stories never learned in American schools. A Must Read.

Highly Educational

Wow I am ashamed that I have just learning about Walter White. It is amazing that you go through 12 years of school and four more years of college and never hear about this American hero’s absolutely fascinating life history. I am ashamed to be just learning about NAACP Champion Walter White. This book should be required reading. It’s not theory but is indeed factual history.

Truth

This book was so interesting and filled with so many truths…a great awakening….I will definitely share this book with friends and family

Powerful!

A beautiful and heartbreaking book. I’m so glad to know of Walter White and his legacy. We are beneficiaries of his tireless work and tenacity. May we continue to strive for equality and equity.

The author and the narrator brought the times and the man to life!

Fabulous

Fabulous needs to be a movie to share the outstanding life of an American working toward a just world !