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allyreids's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
meganashlee27's review against another edition
5.0
I was back and forth between a 4 and a 5 for this one until I read the Author’s Note.
I appreciated the author’s storytelling, bringing together all the different voices and experiences throughout the five days on unrest. But reading how they all tied together, and what perspectives the author saw in bringing these stories together really elevated it for me.
I appreciated the author’s storytelling, bringing together all the different voices and experiences throughout the five days on unrest. But reading how they all tied together, and what perspectives the author saw in bringing these stories together really elevated it for me.
jmk1217's review against another edition
5.0
"Freddie Gray is dead because of a stop and arrest that lacked any probably cause whatsoever. And now they are running around in tanks arresting people without any probable cause. I really believe that all people need to push state legislators to pass legislation that pushes back on the abusive practices the judiciary has allowed and promoted over the past 30 years. I'm hoping for some good legislation across the country to come out of this moment. But I also think this is going to be a years long struggle. I hope this is the moment. I hope Ferguson was the start, and that five years from now we can celebrate a shift and a new civil rights movement in America."
-Baltimore juvenile public defender Jenny Egan, April 29, 2015
-Baltimore juvenile public defender Jenny Egan, April 29, 2015
koby's review against another edition
3.0
Wes Moore and Erica L. Green provide snapshots of the lives of seven people from Baltimore in the days after Freddie Gray's murder at the hands of the Baltimore PD. From Tawanda, an activist who has been fighting for justice for her brother Tyrone for years; to Marc Partee, a Black police officer; to Jenny, a juvenile defense lawyer who helps out protesters; and other individuals, both recognized in the community and everyday people.
These snapshots provide a picture of what happened, but the book is less about Freddie Gray as an individual, and more about the city itself. In an impassioned epilogue, Moore argues that Gray's death is ultimately tied to the failure of our systems - not "just" racism, but poverty. He makes a convincing argument not just for the role poverty plays, but for the means to end it.
This is a book meant to be read widely. The story is fast paced; people are sketched in enough detail to be compelling without delving into their full life stories. Some parts, particularly Partee's, feel a bit superficial, especially as he is a Black man functioning as a part of a racist institution. But, regardless of some shortcomings, this book tells an important story in an engaging way. It asks questions we should all ask of our selves and our society, and it provides answers as well.
These snapshots provide a picture of what happened, but the book is less about Freddie Gray as an individual, and more about the city itself. In an impassioned epilogue, Moore argues that Gray's death is ultimately tied to the failure of our systems - not "just" racism, but poverty. He makes a convincing argument not just for the role poverty plays, but for the means to end it.
This is a book meant to be read widely. The story is fast paced; people are sketched in enough detail to be compelling without delving into their full life stories. Some parts, particularly Partee's, feel a bit superficial, especially as he is a Black man functioning as a part of a racist institution. But, regardless of some shortcomings, this book tells an important story in an engaging way. It asks questions we should all ask of our selves and our society, and it provides answers as well.
bookstobechill's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who considers themselves a “part-time” Baltimorean, I really enjoyed reading this. Wes Moore continues to be a wonderful storyteller. I thought the perspective stories of a wide range of Baltimoreans was insightful. There are so many incredible people repping this city. Change is too slow, and it is disheartening to know this story could be told of many cities around the country today, in 2020. This speaks to our imperative to learn these stories and get to know cities like Baltimore.
estam1's review against another edition
5.0
Following the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, Baltimore became a city under siege as residents reacted to the injustice. In this compelling book, Wes Moore, (himself a Baltimorean and known author of The Other Wes Moore), narrates the story through a window into the lives of 8 people whose were brought together through the events of this tragedy. These people represent a variety of Baltimoreans, from John Angelos, VP of the Baltimore Orioles, to Nick Mosby, a city councilor, (I was surprised & delighted to see him portrayed in this book, as he is a friend), to Tawana West, sister of Tyrone West, a previous victim of police brutality. These individuals and 5 others (from vastly different walks of life) are shown in full transparency as they grapple with the aftermath of Freddie Gray's death and envision how to create positive change for their city. To someone who knows little to nothing of Baltimore, it is a city that has been written off as hopeless -- maligned in the press and a site of only violence and chaos, but to those portrayed in 5 Days, we see a different Baltimore, one that yes, has many problems, but too, has hope for solutions. The individuals who are profiled are seen in their full humanity and allow us to see their their complete scope of feelings, doubts, disappointment, and above all commitment, no matter how it was expressed.
As Moore states in his epilogue, he wrote this book to investigate the answer to two questions: 1) What really happened over those five days? and 2) What do we do next? He calls into question how the events over these 5 days drew in people in "every stratum of the city" and how their collective action affected Baltimore, then and now.
Moore also concludes with a focus on Freddie, himself, whose voice was cancelled by his untimely death but who was the catalyst for this book. Moore ends with an impassioned reminder regarding race, zip code, child poverty, and the inequities that cause children like Freddie Gray to grow up with few chances for success, if indeed, they survive. He reminds us that poverty is a choice of our government, and not those who experience and live it.
This book is a stark reminder of our responsibility to our youth and to our society.
As Moore states in his epilogue, he wrote this book to investigate the answer to two questions: 1) What really happened over those five days? and 2) What do we do next? He calls into question how the events over these 5 days drew in people in "every stratum of the city" and how their collective action affected Baltimore, then and now.
Moore also concludes with a focus on Freddie, himself, whose voice was cancelled by his untimely death but who was the catalyst for this book. Moore ends with an impassioned reminder regarding race, zip code, child poverty, and the inequities that cause children like Freddie Gray to grow up with few chances for success, if indeed, they survive. He reminds us that poverty is a choice of our government, and not those who experience and live it.
This book is a stark reminder of our responsibility to our youth and to our society.
booknrrd's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciated the perspective this took by interviewing a handful of Baltimoreans on their experiences in the days following the death of Freddy Gray from injuries sustained while in police custody.
iawoenam's review against another edition
5.0
Finishing this right after Between the World and Me has provided so so much reflection on the black experience in America. From Prince Jones to Freddie Gray, my heart hurts for the victims of intentionally racist institutions that make the world we live and move in today.
I'm glad I read Five Days now, after my time at Hopkins bc it really tied together all the various fragments of my education these last four years. My journey in Baltimore really began when I first listen to The Daily's Charm City series back in 2017 and I haven't stopped absorbing every detail about this amazing, yet deeply wounded city.
Wes Moore's words at the end, "...they revealed to me the importance of individual changemakers and the indispensable necessity of collective action", align with my current journey for finding my place, my role in improving the world.
I'm glad I read Five Days now, after my time at Hopkins bc it really tied together all the various fragments of my education these last four years. My journey in Baltimore really began when I first listen to The Daily's Charm City series back in 2017 and I haven't stopped absorbing every detail about this amazing, yet deeply wounded city.
Wes Moore's words at the end, "...they revealed to me the importance of individual changemakers and the indispensable necessity of collective action", align with my current journey for finding my place, my role in improving the world.