The New Jim Crow

by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow cover
Good Books rating 4.38
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 702
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2026-01-27
  • ISBN: 9781595586438
  • Publisher: The New Press
  • Published: 2012-01-01
  • Formats: 26
  • Reviews: 4

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the American criminal justice system. Alexander contends that the War on Drugs, along with policies that restrict the rights of convicted felons, has effectively created a new racial undercaste, largely composed of African Americans. This system of mass incarceration and permanent marginalization is argued to be a modern-day version of Jim Crow laws, perpetuating racial inequality and injustice./n/nThe book delves into the historical context, legal frameworks, and societal impacts of these policies. Alexander provides a compelling analysis of how the criminal justice system operates as a mechanism of racial control, affecting employment, housing, education, and public benefits. Her work challenges readers to reconsider the underlying assumptions and biases that perpetuate this system, offering a call to action for reform and justice.

Reviews
Zinn Education Project · 2026-01-27
provocative 4.50

This book is a provocative and incisive critique of racial caste in America. It challenges the notion that racial caste has ended and offers a powerful argument for systemic change.

The Zinn Education Project's review of 'The New Jim Crow' describes it as a provocative and incisive critique of racial caste in America. The reviewer argues that the book challenges the notion that racial caste has ended and offers a powerful argument for systemic change. They highlight the book's importance in raising awareness about the racial biases inherent in the justice system and its role in perpetuating racial inequality. The reviewer praises the book's thorough research and compelling arguments, which make it a valuable tool for educators and activists seeking to promote social justice and racial equality. They also note that the book's relevance extends beyond the US, offering valuable insights into the global struggle for racial justice.

Quick quotes

    In this incisive critique, former litigator-turned-legal-scholar Michelle Alexander provocatively argues that we have not ended racial caste in America: we have simply redesigned it.

    It challenges the notion that racial caste has ended and offers a powerful argument for systemic change.

    The book's thorough research and compelling arguments make it a valuable tool for educators and activists seeking to promote social justice and racial equality.

The Storygraph · 2026-01-25
excellent 4.00

This book is excellent in providing evidence and proving its thesis about mass incarceration in the United States. However, it is somewhat outdated as it was published over twenty years ago.

The Storygraph's review praises Michelle Alexander's book for its comprehensive evidence and strong thesis on mass incarceration. They appreciate the book's ability to present a clear and convincing argument. However, they note that the book is somewhat dated, having been published over two decades ago, and suggest that some updates might be necessary to reflect current developments. Despite this, they find the book to be a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of the issue.

Quick quotes

    This is an excellent book and does a great job providing evidence and proving its thesis about mass incarceration in the United States.

    However twenty years have passed since its publication, and some updates might be necessary.

    A valuable resource for understanding the historical context of mass incarceration.

JSTOR · Elizabeth Cook-Lynn · 2025-10-23
powerful 4.75

The book is a powerful critique of the American prison system, arguing that mass incarceration is a new form of racism. It is praised for its comprehensive analysis and eye-opening insights.

Elizabeth Cook-Lynn's review in JSTOR emphasizes the book's powerful critique of the American prison system. She argues that mass incarceration is a new form of racism, and the book's comprehensive analysis is praised for its depth and insight. The reviewer notes that the book's arguments are well-supported by statistical data and historical context, making it a compelling read. The book's impact on the discussion of racial injustice is highlighted, with the reviewer noting its significance in understanding the systemic issues that perpetuate racial caste in the United States.

Quick quotes

    Mass Incarceration Is the New Racism.

    The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

    The book is a powerful critique of the American prison system, arguing that mass incarceration is a new form of racism.

Christians for Social Action · 2025-10-23
persuasive 4.25

The book is part of a broader effort to understand mass incarceration, offering a persuasive analysis of its complexities. It is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion on racial injustice.

Christians for Social Action highlights that The New Jim Crow is a crucial addition to the literature on mass incarceration. The reviewer appreciates the book's in-depth analysis and its role in grappling with the complexities of racial injustice. The book is praised for its persuasive arguments and its ability to shed light on the systemic issues that perpetuate racial caste in the United States. The reviewer notes that the book's insights are particularly relevant in today's socio-political climate, making it a timely and important read.

Quick quotes

    The New Jim Crow is but the latest in a series of books and papers attempting to grapple with the conundrum that is mass incarceration.

    It offers a persuasive analysis of complex and important issues.

    The book is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion on racial injustice.

Appears in Lists