Morris Dees

This book is a story of the author's fight against intolerance and hate through court action as a lawyer. Most of the fight is against white supremacists and their groups. After an episode of danger, the story goes back to the start, detailing how the author grew up and acquired his affinity for fairness and equal treatment of people regardless of religion, color, social status or wealth. It proceeds through his path of becoming a lawyer, through founding his organization to pursue injustice, through many f the violent and dangerous court actions until the organization has amassed many victories.

The author ends the story after accomplishing his dream of making a difference for oppressed and unjustly treated people, as well as the raising of his daughter.

The reader learns how his organization grows to become multifaceted, well accepted, staffed with numerous diverse people, and capable of permanence, past his lifetime.

The author serves as a good model for young people wanting to make a difference, especially those going into law.… (más)

Dees’ story makes it clear why he was inspired to found the SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) and how he has been so successful. The son of a poor Alabama farmer, he grew up an FFA (Future Farmers of America) member, a hunter, a friend to blacks and whites, his brother a registered gun dealer. A caring man, he’s a master strategist, too. This guy has guts and moxie! But more than that, he knows how to talk to and negotiate with haters and find neutral ground. And if not, he can sue their pants off.

The last half or so of the book is a detailed tale of the 1984 lawsuit Dees brought on behalf of Beulah Donald, during which he bankrupted the United Klans of America. At times riveting, the story becomes understandably complicated during the suit and I sometimes lost track of who was whom in the large cast of characters. Still, an engrossing read and an excellent choice for anyone who wants to understand more about racism in the South and the work of the SPLC throughout the USA.… (más)