Traveling Freedom's Road: A Guide to Exploring Our Civil Rights History

"...such a book is sorely needed!" --- Dr. Terrence Roberts, member, Little Rock Nine"...a must read." --- Patrick Weems, Emmett Till Interpretive CenterThe US civil rights movement was one of the most important and patriotic eras in US history. Travel to experience and understand this consequential period is both rewarding and challenging.Planning this journey isn’t easy. The distances to and between the places where this history happened are long. Travelers also must know when relevant museums, historic homes and churches, and other places of interest are open and when making appointments to visit are a must.Traveling Freedom’s Road: A Guide to Our Civil Rights History makes this important journey easier and more meaningful. Not only are readers provided with comprehensive planning information on destination cities where this history occurred but they also benefit from narratives related to the people who made the civil rights movement one of the highest expressions of faith in our founding principles. The book consistently shines a spotlight on many less-well-known individuals, especially women, whose bravery prompted important change. Engaging sidebars throughout the book inform readers about topics like:The inspirational work of Edna Griffin, Modjeska Simkins, Ella Baker, and many other womenHow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to lead the Montgomery Bus BoycottWhat shameful act of racial discrimination led singer Sam Cooke to write "A Change is Gonna Come"How student volunteers coming to Mississippi for Freedom Summer in 1964 were prepared for their challenging workReaders, whether they choose to travel or opt to experience this history from their armchair, receive:Detailed guidance and history on over a dozen destinations representing some of greatest triumphs (Montgomery, Birmingham, Little Rock, etc.) and tragedies (Memphis, Philadelphia MS, and the Mississippi Delta) of the civil rights era.Full chapters containing relevant sites in fourteen Southern states from Florida, north to Virginia and west to Texas.Coverage of historic places germane to civil rights and African American history in 24 of the remaining 36 states plus Washington DC. This geographically-comprehensive approach encourages those less able to journey to the South to visit sites closer to their own homes.A richly-illustrated, professionally-designed book complete with a comprehensive index and endnotes pointing toward some of the best scholarship on the heroic people and change-making events covered.Resources for parents and teachers to generate awareness of and an interest in civil rights history among children and teens.Traveling Freedom's Road: A Guide to Exploring Our Civil Rights History is comprehensive, current, and compelling.Profits from the book benefit the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama and the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.What Advance Readers and Reviewers say:"Written with intentionality, passion, and precision, Hanrahan’s debut is both an historical account and a travel guide, published to illuminate civil rights and African American history..." ----BookLife Reviews, a division of Publishers Weekly"This enhanced guide will...excite your spirit of inquiry, lead to growth in your fund of information, and provide a clearer picture of how the continuing battle for civil rights for all can help us form that more perfect union alluded to in our national narrative.” ----Dr. Terrence Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Nine"Traveling Freedom’s Road is more than directions; it provides a picture of the people and places that animated the movement." ----Dave Tell, Co-Director, Emmett Till Memory Project Read more