One Person, No Vote

By: Carol Anderson

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of White Rage, the startling - and timely - history of voter suppression in America, with a foreword by Senator Dick Durbin.

In her New York Times best seller White Rage, Carol Anderson laid bare an insidious history of policies that have systematically impeded black progress in America, from 1865 to our combustible present. With One Person, No Vote, she chronicles a related history: the rollbacks to African American participation in the vote since the 2013 Supreme Court decision that eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Known as the Shelby ruling, this decision effectively allowed districts with a demonstrated history of racial discrimination to change voting requirements without approval from the Department of Justice. 

Focusing on the aftermath of Shelby, Anderson follows the astonishing story of government-dictated racial discrimination unfolding before our very eyes as more and more states adopt voter suppression laws. In gripping, enlightening detail she explains how voter suppression works, from photo ID requirements to gerrymandering to poll closures. And with vivid characters, she explores the resistance: the organising, activism, and court battles to restore the basic right to vote to all Americans as the nation gears up for the 2018 midterm elections.

©2018 Carol Anderson, PhD (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

Enlightening!

If you care about democracy in America, you must read/listen to Carol Anderson’s One Person, No Vote. I used to think that voter suppression happened only in third world democracies, but after listening to this eye-opening book I’ve learned the US has a long tradition of suppressing votes in elections. Anderson doesn’t merely make allegations; she reports on the historical record of voter suppression, which is often buried between the layers of stories that receive greater attention, and describes how American citizens are cunningly disenfranchised. Irrespective of party affiliation, every American should be appalled by just how extensive and prevalent voter suppression is. Instead, we’re fed—and believe—phony stories about voter fraud. Rather than disregard the voter fraud narrative, legislators and bureaucrats (conservatives nowadays) set laws and policies that reify “alternative facts” rather than address the real problem, which is voter suppression.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Exceptional

This is a terrifying look at racially motivated systematic voter suppression. The author not only provided the latest information but also a history of voter suppression.

The book is meticulously researched and well written. Anderson writes in an academic style. The 2016 presidential election was the first election held without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act. In 2013 the Supreme Court revoked parts of the Voting Rights Act. Anderson proved step by step that the low turn out of black voters for Hillary was not due to apathy but to voter suppression. Since 2016 Anderson revealed that many states have made in harder for minorities to vote and are continuing to make it even harder.

The information in this book makes me very angry at the systemic methods of voter suppression. Next it will be educated women that will be blocked from voting just because we may not agree with whoever “they” are. Just think how much better this country could be today if all this work into voter suppression were put toward solving the country’s problems.

The book is six hours and 32 minutes. Janina Edwards does an excellent job narrating the book. Edwards is an actress and specializes in the accents of Africa and the West Indies.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sobering, but an absolute must read

Carol Anderson thoroughly addressed what’s happening right in front of us. I am so glad I listened to this book because I was left feeling somewhat reassured that I’m not crazy. The whole country is NOT against me. It’s just a few conniving, ill willed, (mostly) white men in power that are plotting against relinquishing control. With this knowledge, we too can devise a plan to stop them or at least slow them down. This is a must read for every American that wants to REALLY know how our so called democracy works.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

You will never look at Democracy the same.

Carol Anderson has done it again. Eyes wide open she walks you through what happened and exactly how the Voting Rights of Millions of Americans were systematically taken away. You can’t read this book and remain in Wonderland. A must READ!

book is great but conclusion is wrong

this is an important book and we need to fight the election fraud. but the conclusion is wrong Russia didn't do it your whole book says Russia didn't do it and then in the conclusion you take Russia out of left field and blame Russia. This is real problem. the Democrats will lose if they focus on Russia we need to focus on the actual election fraud not Russia Russia didn't do it that's what your book is about so who paid you to blame Russia when you know that it was Kemp and the other Republicans mostly. but yes the Democrats in the Hillary Clinton campaign did it to Bernie Sanders and they want to do it again in 2020 so I guess that's why the last chapter is there. it's sad because if we talked about Russia instead of the camps then the Republicans will win more seats and Trump will win a second term. we need to focus on the real problem.

Must read for all American citizens brown or white

This book has changed my life and how I see America. For years I’ve been angry about the realities of being a black man in America. As such, I suspected that this book would only deepen those feelings. But, what I hoped is that it would give language and understanding to my world here in America. It did. I feel a sense of relief. I feel empowered. I have understanding. Thank you Carol Anderson for writing this very important book. Thank you to all organizations and people that believe that we are all created equal and the job of democracy is to ensure that we work towards and keep that truth.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent review of voter suppression

This book presents an excellent review of attempts to reduce the participation of minorities in electoral processes. It follows Anderson’s earlier book on the rise of anti-minority nationalism among whites.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful