The New Jim Crow

by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Politics and Current Affairs
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Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
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  • ID: 702
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-10-23
  • ISBN: 9781512104639
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2015-05-08
  • Formats: 26
  • Reviews: 4

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the U.S. criminal justice system's role in perpetuating racial inequality. The book argues that the system functions as a contemporary form of racial control, targeting black men through the War on Drugs and relegating millions to a permanent second-class status. Praised for its boldness and candor, this book challenges the notion of a post-racial society and calls for a reevaluation of the justice system. With meticulous research and compelling arguments, Alexander demonstrates how the criminal justice system operates as a system of racial control, even as it claims to be colorblind. The book has been widely acclaimed for its impact on national discourse and its call to action for reform.

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.

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.

Gates Notes · 2020-12-08
enlightening 4.00

The book is praised for its clear explanation of the history and data behind mass incarceration. It challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of the prison system.

The reviewer commends the book for its comprehensive explanation of the history and statistics related to mass incarceration. They found the data compelling and believe it effectively challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of the prison system. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to make complex issues accessible and understandable. They also highlight how the book's arguments are well-supported by evidence, making it a powerful tool for understanding systemic racism.

Quick quotes

    The book is good at explaining the history and the numbers behind mass incarceration.

    It challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of the prison system.

    The arguments are well-supported by evidence, making it a powerful tool for understanding systemic racism.

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