Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin

The subtitle actually does tell the story: "A parents' story of love, injustice, and the birth of a movement".

The story is told in chapters alternating between Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, Trayvon's parents. The writing is clear and easy to read, and takes us from the first phone calls, telling of what happened to Trayvon, through the memorial service, many appearances at organization meetings and gatherings of friends and other supporters, through to the trial of the killer and beyond.

From the start, the parents knew they needed to get attention to their child's murder, because the police were not interested in pursuing an investigation. Therefore, they found lawyers who were happy to work with them at no cost, who advised them and show more set up speaking engagements, and spoke themselves on television and radio, all to keep the focus on this case. The continued pressure finally did lead to an investigation and to the charging of his killer and the trial.

The description of the trial was detailed, more detailed than I felt I needed, but I understand the need for such focus: it revealed where the defense was successful and the prosecution less so.

I can't help but think that if George Zimmerman had not gotten out of his car and followed Trayvon, nobody would be dead. The entire episode is on Zimmerman. It was his doing. It is hard for me to comprehend how the jurors could have seen him as a victim fighting for his life, but again, the defense did a remarkable job of planting seeds.

To this day the parents are fighting for the repeal of "stand your ground" laws and have not yet changed Florida's. They are also, through the Trayvon Martin Foundation, helping other parents of victims to help each other, and finding ways to prevent such acts of violence in the future.

The parents relied heavily on their belief in God and in prayer. I'm not there with them but can understand their need for it.

I appreciated being able to hear the story from the point of view of the parents and to read of the many steps they took and continue to take to seek a better future for other Trayvons. show less

R.I.P. Trayvon Martin

It’s sad to remember his name. It’s always strange knowing that we were the same age at the same point in time when he was alive. I remember all the smears from TV personalities (because no one who uses refuses to retract an incorrect statement they have released deserves to be called a journalist) repeated over and over about a boy who had nothing more than a pack of skittles and juice in his pockets.

This book has the recorded thoughts and emotions of Martin’s closest family members: both his mother and father before and after the event that took his life. I never followed the trial when it was first happening though I’ll admit I did think the shooter was guilty. Now that I now the facts from both the show more family and other independent news outlets it doesn’t change my mind but it does change my feelings about the whole mess. There was a refreshing sincerity in the writing. I was surprised (due to my own bias, sadly) to find a good narrative and a clear message. Ms. Fulton and Mr. Martin had a fantastic editor/s that helped them tell the story they wanted to share. The only thing that made it a little hard to read was the alternating points of view but I have a problem with that in even the best of fiction books.

I could only recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This isn’t about pushing the killer’s guilt onto others who believe he was in his right to “defend” himself but remind them that the boy who died had a life and a family that misses him. show less

I got this book from Overdrive because thought there was a great miscarriage of justice in the Trayvon Martin case. Even before reading this book I truly believed that George Zimmerman was guilty of murder. After reading the book I am more convinced than ever that Zimmerman is guilty. The story of what Trayvon's parents went through was hard to read but really feel that this book needed to be written. Really one of the best books I have read in the past few years. Highly recommend this book.

Very good story of the depth of the struggle for justice for other-than-white-folks. George Zimmerman was a cop wannabe who obviously, to me, murdered Trayvon Martin for no good reason. Disliked even by the authorities they nevertheless gathered their resources and defended him even while supposedly prosecuting. What a sham!

I recently finished reading this book. Having closely followed the murder trial starting back in 2012 when I first learned of Trayvon Martin's death, I only felt that it was fitting to read his parents' book. It was heartwrenching, especially knowing that George Zimmerman never got prison time. I really recommend this book for everyone, even though it'll take you a lot of tissues.