A book that could elucidate this time in American history to my grandchildren. ( )

In September 1957, Central School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was court ordered to integrate. Nine black students were to attend. One of them, Elizabeth Eckford, walked alone and was turned away by National Guardsmen. During her walk, photographers captured her while white students behind. In particular focus was Hazel Massery. This is the story of that photograph and how these two women were forever impacted by that day.

David Margolick gives a much broader picture that the one photograph of that day, beginning with brief explanations of how Hazel and Elizabeth reached that point, and continuing with the story of what happened to the Little Rock Nine after they began at Central. While much of the Civil Rights era was before I was born and reads like history to me, both of these women experienced it and are still living, making the issues of race relations and prejudice all the more present and less historical in feel. It's a powerful story and one that leaves a lot to discuss: should a person be defined by one moment? how would you have reacted as a student, either black or white? can major breaches like these ever truly heal? ( )

A fascinating, engrossing portrait of these two women and a poignant, unstettling story about the difficult path to forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. ( )

This is the story of two people made famous by a photo taken at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Elizabeth Eckford was 15 in 1957 when she tried to enter the school and was taunted by whites as she did so. Hazel Bryan Massery stood behind Elizabeth and was captured spewing hateful epitaphs. The photo became an iconic representation of Jim Crow America and the civil rights struggle to desegregate schools.

The book details the events leading up to the historic event and photo and what happened to the two girls subsequently. Their lives are detailed past the 50-year anniversary of Elizabeth’s walk.

Elizabeth suffered from post-traumatic stress as a result of her year at the school, but she eventually met Hazel who asked for forgiveness. The two became friends, although misunderstandings, perhaps inevitably, strained their relationship.

A very balanced view of both women is presented. There is no doubt that the author recognizes Elizabeth’s courage, but he does not canonize her; her flaws are not concealed. Likewise, Hazel is not demonized; her despicable behaviour is explained as best as it possibly can. At times I found myself becoming frustrated with one and then I’d lose patience with the other.

Parts of the book read more like a newspaper article, which is perhaps not surprising since the author is a journalist. This is the case in the middle section which lists the reactions of the public to the photo and its influence on a variety of people.

The book is certainly worth reading; it reveals two ordinary people who inadvertently found themselves as symbols of a conflict. To the author’s credit, he lets the reader see beyond the symbolism to the very hearts of the two women. ( )

I found this book so massively compelling that I am breaking one of my rules; I am adding a book that I don't own. I picked this up on the way out of the library because I had heard the author speak on the radio. Now I can't put it down. The author describes the horrible time in 1957 that the Little Rock High School was integrated by nine black teenagers. Elizabeth was the most famous because she is in that iconic Pulitzer Prize winning photo being surrounded by screeching white students. Hazel is the student directly behind her in the photo, screaming at her.

This book will make you cry and make you angry but you can't stop reading. Elizabeth was emotionally damaged because of the experience, the least of which was the isolation from the other students, her family and anyone that could have helped her. Despite what you think of segregation and integration, this was a young person that suffered and shouldn't have. The author makes clear what happens after the photo, after the main event, after everyone walks away. It brings to mind the saying that "names will never hurt you". What a lie. That is the story of these young women's lives, a story we should never forget. ( )