A Few Days Full of Trouble

Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till

By: Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr., Christopher Benson

Narrated by: JD Jackson

The last surviving witness to the lynching of Emmett Till tells his story, with poignant recollections of Emmett as a boy, critical insights into the recent investigation, and powerful lessons for racial reckoning, both then and now.

New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice • “In this moving and important book, the Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. and Christopher Benson give us a unique window onto the anguished search for justice in a case whose implications shape us still.”—Jon Meacham

In 1955, fourteen-year-old Emmett Till was lynched. That remains an undisputed fact of the case that ignited a flame within the Civil Rights Movement that has yet to be extinguished. Yet the rest of the details surrounding the event remain distorted by time and too many tellings.

What does justice mean in the resolution of a cold case spanning nearly seven decades? In A Few Days Full of Trouble, this question drives a new perspective on the story of Emmett Till, relayed by his cousin and best friend—the Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr., a survivor of the night of terror when young Emmett was taken from his family’s rural Mississippi Delta home in the dead of night.

Rev. Parker offers an emotional and suspenseful work set against a backdrop of reporting errors and manipulations, racial reckoning, and political pushback—and he does so accompanied by never-before-seen findings in the investigation, the soft resurrection of memory, and the battle-tested courage of faith. A Few Days Full of Trouble is a powerful work of truth-telling, a gift to those looking to reconcile the weight of the past with a hope for the future.

©2023 Reverend Wheeler Parker, Christopher Benson (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The murder of Emmett Till is an inflection point in the story of America—a moment of particular and of universal significance. In this moving and important book, the Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. and Christopher Benson give us a unique window onto the anguished search for justice in a case whose implications shape us still. A vital and absorbing book.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of And There Was Light

“Everyone should read this compelling account to understand why we must continue to fight for justice on all levels.”—Carlotta Walls LaNier, author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School

“Emmett Till’s murder changed the course of American history. Like so much of our history, the truth of it has been shrouded and distorted, but Reverend Parker’s riveting book reveals new details about Till’s life and community, as well as shocking twists in the decades-long quest for justice. It’s a precious contribution to our shared history, and I am grateful for it.”—Heather McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of The Sum of Us

Truly inspiring and heartbreaking

I appreciate Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. for sharing this detailed account of his cousin's story, and the impact it had on his life. He reminds us all how important it is to make sure this tragic part of our history is not forgotten - or repeated. I wish so much that those responsible for Emmett Till's murder had been brought to justice. His family has never stopped fighting for him and it is beautiful that they continue to honor his memory through their civil rights activism. History needs to remember that this happened to a child, a cousin, a son, a grandson. We must continue to fight for change and protect each other.

Great!.

If you days for trouble what is the great read and it was nice day of the truth.

the legacy of Emmett Till

this amazing book speaks to humanity as a whole. not just how a 14 year old boy lost his life, but the courageous journey of his mother Mamie as well as his cousin that authored this book. extremely detailed in its information of how the justice system cared more about its old boys club mentality. I pray that those that Emmetts story touches can teach us how to treat one another

First hand knowledge from someone who was there the night Emmitt was kidnapped. I throughly enjoyed the book.

I liked everything about this book. The details and exposer of Tyson as a lying bigot.

Different perspective

This gives the Emmett Till story a whole new perspective. We’ve all heard it so many times but never like this.
Must listen for everyone, everywhere!

Incredible accounts!!!!

Emmett Till came into my life when I was in the 5th grade. When I first saw his mutilated body in class, I experienced some of the feelings of terror Reverend Wheeler speaks of.

I ran out and bought Tysons book and was disappointed at the total lack of recantation that was in the book that had been marketed. BUT NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE. Thank you Reverend Wheeler for your service. And as you cry each day, Emmett is surely standing near by.

If you EVER read anything about Emmett Louis Till, this is it!

This book by
Reverend Wheeler Parker is the definitive telling of that horrible night in August 1955. Mr Parker travelled to Mississippi with Mr Till. He was with Mr Till during their short time there, in the store and in the room with Mr Till when he was stolen. THIS is the book every person should read! Many other books were written by people who never even contacted the victims in this case. How can a book tell the truth if you do not interview the other people that were victimized that night?
Mr Parker was there.
Unfortunately due to the findings in the last investigation and the recent passing of the person at the very center of Mr Till’s death, there will be no real justice for
Emmett Till unless we consider that Mr Till, the young boy who was lynched, will have his story known for generations to come. It isn’t justice as it should be but many of us will never forget this young boy. This comes from a white person with generations of racist ancestors from the south east U.S. I was raised with that ugly, nasty, racist behavior, I made the choice decades ago to do the right thing and not pass that crap on. We must all do better.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO MR PARKER FOR LETTING YOUR (and Emmett Till’s) STORY FINALLY BE TOLD.