Book: The Movement: The African American Struggle for Civil Rights

New York: Oxford University Press, 2021 By Thomas C. Holt P’21

Recommended by

Tip Ragan

Bryant “Tip” Ragan, Ph.D. — William R. Hochman Professor, Department of History,

Executive Director of the Society for French Historical Studies

Thomas C. Holt’s “The Movement: The African American Struggle for Civil Rights” may be a short book, but it is an important one. Although I thought I knew something about the civil rights movement, I was wrong. Holt’s analysis of the long-term struggle for freedom, equality, and respect by African Americans taught me so much. He unpacks the complex ways that particular geographical and temporal factors shaped each chapter of this history, whether discussing the first instances of sit-ins, boycotts, and mass demonstrations in the 19th century or the strategies employed to put an end to segregation during the “classic” civil rights movement of 1955-65. I particularly enjoyed reading about the contributions of “regular” African Americans, especially women, who were just as important to this history as the religious, political, and institutional leaders who are typically remembered and celebrated. Reading this book, I am convinced, will provide invaluable insights on the new chapter of this ongoing struggle for freedom that African Americans are engaged in today.

Film: Dune

Recommended by

Danny Rodriguez ’18

Danny Rodriguez ’18 — Research Consultant, Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development, Owner, Daniel Rodriguez Photography

I recently watched the remake/book adaptation of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” — one of my favorite books of all time. I found my high hopes met with striking visuals and exceptional cinematography. These visuals highlighted the effect humans can have on ecology and climate at a planetary scale, for both the upside and the downside. Fur-ther, it shows the power a few motivated individuals can have on a planetary and galactic scale. Again, for both the upside and the down. In the book, Herbert paraphrases Archimedes, saying, “Given the right lever, you can move a planet.”

Podcast: The Ezra Klein Show

Recommended by

Jim Burke

Jim Burke — Director, Summer Session

The Ezra Klein Show is my catchall news and academic culture podcast. It’s a good balance of analysis of the major news of the day, along with interviews with newsmakers like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Nikole Hannah-Jones (there’s an episode with both authors, which is phenomenal) or other academics and authors doing interesting work or contributing to the culture in interesting ways. Each episode ends with three books you’d recommend, so it’s a great way to get recommendations in all sorts of areas of interest.

Podcast: Dolly Parton’s America

Recommended by

Gaby Therese Jadotte ’22

Gaby Therese Jadotte ’22 — Student Trustee, International Political Economy major

I have been listening to a lot of Dolly Parton lately. I started listening to a podcast my mom recommended called “Dolly Parton’s America,” which dives into Dolly’s music and her influences. I’ve learned a lot about Appalachian history and culture I didn’t know beforehand through the podcast and her songs!