Robert Samuels (2)

An intimate and meaningful portrayal of George Floyd along with his family and those involved in his trial and death. The book is great because it humanizes him taking the reader beyond the terrible footage of his death. He was truly a gentle giant.We see him growing up in Houston and the importance of family ties.We look at his struggles to become a well known athlete and musician as well as his struggles with claustophobia and drug use. The book culminates with the trial and his impact on the Black Lives Matter movement. A wonderful caring and even handed biography.… (more)

The book was written by two WaPo reporters, Robert Samuels and Touluse Olorunnipa and is about the life, the death, and the culture and policies that brought George Floyd to that terrible day when he was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin. The book is well-written and weaves in everything seamlessly--the biography, the history, the activism, and the politics following Floyd's death. But most importantly, it brings George Floyd and his humanity with his struggles to life along with those of his family and friends.

I always write down books mentioned in other books and while he was in prison, a friend sent him and Floyd read a copy of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and Floyd told his friend it was a game changer. I think that of everything that struck me about Floyd--like all of us he struggled and was always looking for purpose and meaning in his own life. Each person has a story to tell and this is a story worthy of Hugo. I hope others read it and it inspires them to look at the people in our communities with more humanity and others take up the fight for racial justice in this country. You should not look away from this book and the story it tells.

Be a social justice advocate. Be an ally. Be a friend. Read about others.… (more)