Coming of Age in Mississippi

By: Anne Moody

Narrated by: Lisa Reneé Pitts

Length: 15 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Born to a poor couple who were tenant farmers on a plantation in Mississippi, Anne Moody lived through some of the most dangerous days of the pre-civil rights era in the South. The week before she began high school came the news of Emmet Till's lynching. Before then, she had "known the fear of hunger, hell, and the Devil. But now there was…the fear of being killed just because I was black." In that moment was born the passion for freedom and justice that would change her life.

An all-A student whose dream of going to college is realized when she wins a basketball scholarship, she finally dares to join the NAACP in her junior year. Through the NAACP and later through CORE and SNCC she has first-hand experience of the demonstrations and sit-ins that were the mainstay of the civil rights movement, and the arrests and jailings, the shotguns, fire hoses, police dogs, billy clubs and deadly force that were used to destroy it.

A deeply personal story but also a portrait of a turning point in our nation's destiny, this autobiography lets us see history in the making, through the eyes of one of the footsoldiers in the civil rights movement.

©1968 Anne Moody (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Simply one of the best, Anne Moody's autobiography is an eloquent, moving testimonial to...courage." (Chicago Tribune)

great to know the struggles for civil rights

it was an amazing book and it felt as if you were following her journey

Required Reading

Every American should read this powerful and moving story. Moody‘s account provides insight and understanding into American culture.

A Gripping, Visceral Account of 1960's Reality

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were many times during this story when I froze in place, put my hand over my mouth, and felt my eyes well with tears...but don't mistake it for some sort of a 'sappy sob story.'

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best credits I've ever spent. I couldn't take my headphones off! I even turned off my phone, so I wouldn't be disturbed. There is not one single boring word. The entire story is alive - pulling you in, triggering emotions you didn't even know you had, forcing you to experience an ugly part of American history, and opening your eyes to the true, dirty reality of racism.

The narrator is fantastic - I cannot praise her enough. She reads it like it's her own personal story. Her voice is smooth and pleasant and displays a brilliant full spectrum of emotions. I could listen to her all day and never get tired.

You will NOT regret this selection.

One of the best civil rights books out there!

I have read this book Arndt now listened to it. I think the narrator did a fantastic job and really brings it to life. I highly recommend this book.

Wow!

This book was so well written that I could “see” the places and people. I could understand each person’s perspective, while rooting for the success of the author.

Wow!

What a wonderfully written story. If you haven't read this book, add it to your library.

Riveting Story with Excellent Narrator

Where does Coming of Age in Mississippi rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've only listened to a handful of audio books and usually tend to the narrators' voices. But in Coming of Age in Mississippi, Lisa Renee Pitts gives a terrific performance that emanates depth through her the softness of her voice. I particularly liked her incorporation of using different dialects to distinguish individual characters as well as her ability to change her tone when conveying different moods. Pitts did an excellent job at conveying the emotions that Anne Moody describes in her riveting story and I give her performance five stars!

Pitt's performance was one of the best

While the reader did very well, there were times in the story where I wondered if the title shouldn't be changed to "The making of a Bigot"

The cold truth about America’s frigid reputation

As a 30-yr-old black southern woman, I related too much to Miss Moody’s story. Damn shame that it’s taken so much to get this far yet it’s still not far enough.

One of the realest works of art in terms of American history and literature!

This a book for the History Books

I loved this book. Thank you Anne Moody for your bravery and determination. I would encourage everyone to read it.