Race Against Time

By: Jerry Mitchell

Narrated by: Jerry Mitchell

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

"For almost two decades, investigative journalist Jerry Mitchell doggedly pursued the Klansmen responsible for some of the most notorious murders of the civil rights movement. This book is his amazing story. Thanks to him, and to courageous prosecutors, witnesses, and FBI agents, justice finally prevailed." (John Grisham, author of The Guardians)

On June 21, 1964, more than 20 Klansmen murdered three civil rights workers. The killings, in what would become known as the "Mississippi Burning" case, were among the most brazen acts of violence during the Civil Rights Movement. And even though the killers’ identities, including the sheriff’s deputy, were an open secret, no one was charged with murder in the months and years that followed.

It took 41 years before the mastermind was brought to trial and finally convicted for the three innocent lives he took. If there is one man who helped pave the way for justice, it is investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell.

In Race Against Time, Mitchell takes listeners on the twisting, pulse-racing road that led to the reopening of four of the most infamous killings from the days of the Civil Rights Movement, decades after the fact. His work played a central role in bringing killers to justice for the assassination of Medgar Evers, the firebombing of Vernon Dahmer, the 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham, and the Mississippi Burning case. Mitchell reveals how he unearthed secret documents and found long-lost suspects and witnesses, building up evidence strong enough to take on the Klan. He takes us into every harrowing scene along the way, as when Mitchell goes into the lion’s den, meeting one-on-one with the very murderers he is seeking to catch. His efforts have put four leading Klansmen behind bars, years after they thought they had gotten away with murder.

Race Against Time is an astonishing, courageous story capturing a historic race for justice, as the past is uncovered, clue by clue, and long-ignored evils are brought into the light. This is a landmark audiobook and essential listening for all Americans.

©2020 Jerry Mitchell (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Wonderful book

Thank you for writing this Mr. Mitchell. This book should be mandatory reading for every high schooler in the country.

Great book

The narration is outstanding. This is a very informative book about some dark times in our history. The book also delivers a great message about resilience, hope, and justice.

Fantastic

This is an excellent narration of a fascinating book and time. Jerry Mitchell’s efforts to right history’s wrongs deserved to be told. I bought the book and read it and listened to the narration on the way ti work when I couldn’t read it. I have recommended this book both in copy and audible. It’s one of my favorites—do yourselves a favor and give it a chance.

Investigative journalism at it's finest

Mr Mitchell is a courageous journalist. His work and this book should be part of every american history and journalism course of study. the story of how justice was won despite the passage of time is fascinating. America should be grateful for his work. This book is beautifully written and the narrator was engaging with a very energetic tone.

A Must Read

Justice not served is a wound that festers. A nation, a people, a community cannot heal when the world denies the wound exists. The author does a fabulous job of showing us that racism isn't a problem stuck in the past but is alive and destroying lives today. A must listen.

Clear Memory

This book is critical for this country at this time. Jerry Mitchell's decades of work bringing truth to light not only resulted in criminals going to jail, but also opened the eyes of a nation, and this citizen in particular, to the ugly truth of what was/is happening in our midst. As a nation, it's imperative that we have a clear memory of the events of this book so that we can rightly assess things happening all around us right now. This account by the man who just wouldn't let these cases go is shocking, thrilling, and ultimately hopeful. It is well-written -- not that one would expect less from such an experienced reporter. I label it a must-read. Let justice roll on like a river!

Buy this, read this, gift this

This is the best book I have ever read on the Civil Rights era murders by the Klan. The story, the writing and narration are perfect. It will make you uncomfortable because you should be uncomfortable with this part of American history. Buy this and gift it to people who want to learn more about history and how hatred spreads through a country.

Wonderful book, extraordinary man

An American hero if ever there was one …. he had the skills and the opportunity to right some of the many wrongs of the past, and the courage to do so. Bravo!

Race Against Time

A book that should be read in schools as mandatory. This book was very well written and the author did a good job narrating.

Inspiring and provoking

This book provides provoking insight into four instances of justice denied and justice fulfilled. It fleshes out some of the facts that are not included in two of the movies that were made on these awful events -Mississippi Burning (some fiction some fact) and the Ghosts of Mississippi. Listening to this book has now inspired me to go back and read more on this time that seems to echo so loudly today. This is what books are meant to do and I think Mr. Mitchell