Overground Railroad cover art

Overground Railroad

The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America

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About this listen

The first book to explore the historical role and residual impact of the Green Book, a travel guide for Black motorists.

Published from 1936 to 1966, the Green Book was hailed as the "Black travel guide to America". At that time, it was very dangerous and difficult for African Americans to travel because Black travelers couldn't eat, sleep, or buy gas at most White-owned businesses. The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem. It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and Overground Railroad celebrates the stories of those who put their names in the book and stood up against segregation. It shows the history of the Green Book, how we arrived at our present historical moment, and how far we still have to go when it comes to race relations in America.

©2020 Candacy Taylor (P)2020 Tantor Americas Black & African American Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences United States Discrimination Social justice Railroad Business
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This has been an excellent book to listen to thanks to the audibly enthusiastic narrator. For someone with white privilege, this was an essential book that showed the extent of difficulties, considerations and danger that blank people could encounter on their travels by car whether in the past or even today. The author conducted painstaking research over the course of many years, travelling across the US to visit the Green Book sites, which is very impressive. Many sites no longer stand today and the book does cover the reasons why. Highly recommended.

Essential & educational

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wow what a fantastic read. Those book is a real eye opener. This book is so well written.

Educational

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