First published 1985
James Baldwin turns his analytical eye to the Atlanta child murders that terrorized the city from 1979 to 1980. Over twenty-two months, these brutal killings exposed the contradictions of a city that branded itself "too busy to hate." Baldwin brings both journalistic rigor and essayistic depth to his investigation, examining how race shaped every aspect of the case. He considers the black municipal leadership, the young black victims, and Wayne Williams, the black suspect who stood trial for the crimes. Baldwin digs into America's fractured racial landscape, confronting the uncomfortable truths that make being a black child in white America a source of terror. He questions how public officials handle justice and explores the systemic failures that allow such tragedies to unfold. Through this specific moment in history, Baldwin illuminates the broader patterns of American racism.
Genres: historical-fiction, african-american, crime, social-issues, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary, true-crime
Setting: Atlanta
Period: 1979-1980
125 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt & Co
Content warnings: racism, violence