First published 2022
George Floyd's death became known worldwide, but who was he before that moment? Robert Samuels reconstructs Floyd's complete life story, from his early years through the circumstances that led to his death in Minneapolis. The biography examines how structural racism influenced Floyd's experiences at every stage. Samuels draws on Washington Post archives and extensive reporting to trace Floyd's personal journey within America's broader racial history. The book includes exclusive interviews with Floyd's family members and close friends, revealing the man behind the name that sparked international demonstrations. While protests erupted from Shetland to São Paulo in 2020, demanding justice and racial equality, this account focuses on the individual whose death catalyzed unprecedented global activism. The narrative connects Floyd's personal experiences to larger patterns of institutional racism that shaped his opportunities and challenges throughout his life.
Genres: biography, african-american, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-narrative, social-commentary
Setting: Minneapolis, United States
Period: 21st Century
432 pages · Hardcover · Bantam Press
Content warnings: racism, violence