Chocolate City

A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital

By: Chris Myers Asch, George Derek Musgrove

Narrated by: David Sadzin

Length: 25 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Monumental in scope and vividly detailed, Chocolate City tells the tumultuous, four-century story of race and democracy in our nation's capital. Emblematic of the ongoing tensions between America's expansive democratic promises and its enduring racial realities, Washington often has served as a national battleground for contentious issues, including slavery, segregation, civil rights, the drug war, and gentrification. But DC is more than just a seat of government, and authors Chris Myers Asch and George Derek Musgrove also highlight the city's rich history of local activism as Washingtonians of all races have struggled to make their voices heard in an undemocratic city where residents lack full political rights.

Tracing DC's massive transformations - from a sparsely inhabited plantation society into a diverse metropolis, from a center of the slave trade to the nation's first black-majority city, from "Chocolate City" to "Latte City" - Asch and Musgrove offer an engaging narrative peppered with unforgettable characters, a history of deep racial division but also one of hope, resilience, and interracial cooperation.

©2017 Chris Myers Asch and George Derek Musgrove (P)2020 Tantor

A superb must-read.

Incisive. Fascinating. Exquisitely narrated.
Extensive > intensive.
Weaves together a considerable body of historical research to tell a story of the evolution and transformations of the District from its beginnings to current times. Covers such topics as historical events, culture, race, neighborhoods, push for & push-back re: DC home rule and statehood, activism, DC mayors, post-civil War migration, post-WW II demographic shifts, GoGo music, politics/money/power, wealth/poverty, the crack epidemic.

Great book for transplants me

I have lived in DC for 20 years. And I have lived in Congress heights for about 15 of those years. And I have always tried to figure out why the separation of the races geographically financially and socioeconomically. This book gives me a greater understanding of many of the historical issues that still impact the Congress heights area to this day. I think the biggest revelation was the division of groups who lived in the alleys versus those who live on the main roads because I have noticed that alleys are widely used in terms of getting from point A to point b within the east of the river communities. And now I've noticed but in Northwest they Are utilizing alleys more and more for businesses especially restaurants. This was a really great listen and I'm thankful that it was finally put on audible cuz I've been trying to get through the book for over a year now but I keep getting distracted. This allowed me to listen to bits and pieces every time I was cleaning my house or taking a shower or getting ready to go out.

Great Read Somewhat biased message

As a native of DC this was a fascinating well researched book. I am personally aware of many of the events described and actually participated in a few of the protests discussed. I think the ultimate goal of the book however was to rewrite history to fit a certain pre determined agenda. Regardless I am certainly glad that I read it