• The Burning

  • Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921
  • By: Tim Madigan
  • Narrated by: Bill Andrew Quinn
  • Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (299 ratings)

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The Burning  By  cover art

The Burning

By: Tim Madigan
Narrated by: Bill Andrew Quinn
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Publisher's summary

On the morning of June 1, 1921, a white mob numbering in the thousands marched across the railroad tracks dividing black from white in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and obliterated a black community then celebrated as one of America's most prosperous. Thirty-four square blocks of Tulsa's Greenwood community were reduced to smoldering rubble.

And now, 80 years later, the death toll of what is known as the Tulsa Race Riot is more difficult to pinpoint. Conservative estimates put the number of dead at about 100 (75 percent of the victims are believed to have been black), but the actual number of casualties could be triple that. The Tulsa Race Riot Commission, formed two years ago to determine exactly what happened, has recommended that restitution to the historic Greenwood Community would be good public policy and do much to repair the emotional as well as physical scars of this most terrible incident in our shared past.

With chilling details, humanity, and the narrative thrust of compelling fiction, The Burning will recreate the town of Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explore the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its black residents and neighboring Tulsa's white population, narrate events leading up to and including Greenwood's annihilation, and document the subsequent silence that surrounded the tragedy.

©2001 Tim Madigan (P)2020 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Featured Article: Audiobooks and Podcasts About the Tulsa Race Massacre


The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 was one of the most despicable moments in US history, and it remained obscured for decades. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, learning the truth about what happened is more important than ever. The following audiobooks and podcasts aim to give listeners a fuller understanding of the Tulsa Race Massacre while honoring the victims whose stories deserve to be remembered.

What listeners say about The Burning

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The back story on what was happening in those days

I like the story and I wish the speaker was more fluent and involved in the story

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Eye opening

The burning revealed multiple details about the Tulsa massacre that I had never been aware of until now.

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Good history eye opening

Very hard to believe this is so widely kept secret. Sad. But important part of history

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Good book

A book about a terrible tragedy that was almost lost to history. A book that everyone should have to read.

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Missing in History

I had no idea about the event. This should be taught in schools and studied. This is still being seen around our country.

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A near-flawless story of a national tragedy

Simply one of the best historical works I’ve listened to over the last decade. This is a story everyone needs to hear and be educated on.

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Changed my Understanding of History

Wow! A tragic, heart wrenching story, brilliantly told, meticulously researched. History at its best! As a German without any history or understanding of the African-American experience I am in shock and awe!

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Hard to hear

The stories and events are awful but need to be heard. I found the reader easy to listen to and the book was eye opening

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Powerful Book

I’m glad I came across this great, it’s a wonderful account of black history and American history.

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So informative!

This is a must read about such an important time in our state and national history.

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