The New Jim Crow

by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow cover
Good Books rating 4.44
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 702
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2026-01-19
  • 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 examination of the American criminal justice system. Alexander argues that the War on Drugs and subsequent policies have not only failed to reduce drug use but have also created a permanent undercaste, largely composed of people of color. She meticulously details how laws and practices have systematically disenfranchised and marginalized millions of individuals, perpetuating racial inequality./n/nAlexander's work is a call to action, urging readers to recognize the systemic racism embedded in the criminal justice system. She provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical and contemporary factors that have led to mass incarceration and the stripping of basic rights from those labeled as felons. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America.

Reviews
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.

Cannonball Read · 2025-05-31
comprehensive 4.50

The book is a comprehensive and eye-opening exploration of racial caste in the United States. It is praised for its detailed historical analysis and its impact on readers' understanding of systemic racism.

Cannonball Read's review highlights how the book traces the formation of racial caste from slavery to mass incarceration. They note that the book's detailed historical analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the systemic racism that persists in America. The review suggests that the book's impact on readers is significant, often leading to a profound shift in perspective. They also mention that the book's arguments are presented in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in social justice issues. The review concludes that the book is a must-read for understanding the ongoing struggles against racial inequality.

Quick quotes

    The New Jim Crow traces the formation of racial caste in the United States, from slavery to Jim Crow to the era of mass incarceration, spurred ...

    It is a comprehensive and eye-opening exploration of racial caste in the United States.

    The book's detailed historical analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the systemic racism that persists in America.

Reddit - r/books · 2021-01-10
informative 4.25

The book is noted for its wealth of statistics and data that challenge preconceived notions about racial bias in the judicial system.

The reviewer highlights the book's extensive use of statistics and data, which they found eye-opening. They appreciate how the book effectively breaks down complex issues and challenges preconceived notions about racial bias in the judicial system. The reviewer believes the book is a valuable resource for understanding the systemic issues at play. They also mention that the book's arguments are compelling and well-supported by evidence.

Quick quotes

    It had a lot of great statistics, data, and facts that I wasn't aware of.

    The book helped break down my preconceived notions about racial bias in the judicial system.

    It's a valuable resource for understanding the systemic issues at play.

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