Reviews

Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth

karatechoptime's review against another edition

3.0

I don't know if I can really call this one "read" as I read half, and then my daughter threw up on it, and I'm unlikely to buy another copy. I'll likely just see the film (gasp!). I really enjoyed this story and had never heard of it. My real issue is the style of the writing. Obviously, this police office wrote it and he has a good sense of humor an this is both an important and interesting real-life story. I just take issue with the "voice" used, which is sort of dry-cop-talk. Lots of telling you what happened rather than showing you. Lots of facts with back-up description and detail, it just made for dry reading. Lots of ego going on with other members of the police force. I grew up among cops so that's a bit of a yawn for me. That said, I think it is amazing that this man infiltrated the KKK, and did such important and powerful work. I'm glad he wrote this, and I likely would have finished it, but I'm not inclined to replace my copy.

riskeytaker's review against another edition

emotional informative fast-paced

3.75

mcbibliotecaria's review against another edition

4.0

Short and quite humorous, much like I imagine the film to be. Seriously, how he defines success it so straight forward, simple and real.

ghoulishtoast's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

joelreads's review

adventurous challenging funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

bibliovino's review

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Fascinating memoir chronicling an unorthodox investigation into the KKK by a black undercover detective. The author tells his story in such a succinct and straightforward way, but the absurdity and humor of the situation keep you thoroughly entertained. The sad reality of the hateful rhetoric and acts employed by the subversive group becomes at least palatable in Stallworth’s mocking tale. I really enjoyed the history, the great insights, and the overall tone.

thriftybookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

3.75

lonelyghostie's review against another edition

4.0

i’m sure the venn diagram of cops and kkk members is more circular than i’d like, but this was a very funny book. glad to know the kkk is just 100 racist scooby doo villains who commit hate crimes while sharing one collective braincell. 

bookfellaspizza's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

ltaylor228's review against another edition

2.0

I really wanted to like this book. It reads very dry and repetitive. It has a great underlying story, but the way it was written made it hard to get through.