Blood in the Water

The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy

By: Heather Ann Thompson

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in History

Winner of the 2017 Bancroft Prize

National Book Award finalist

Los Angeles Times book prize finalist

New York Times notable book for 2016

Named a best book of the year by the Boston Globe, Newsweek, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly

The first definitive history of the infamous 1971 Attica prison uprising, the state's violent response, and the victims' decades-long quest for justice.

On September 9, 1971, nearly 1,300 prisoners took over the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York to protest years of mistreatment. Holding guards and civilian employees hostage, the prisoners negotiated with officials for improved conditions during the four long days and nights that followed. On September 13, the state abruptly sent hundreds of heavily armed troopers and correction officers to retake the prison by force. Their gunfire killed 39 men - hostages as well as prisoners - and severely wounded more than 100 others. In the ensuing hours, weeks, and months, troopers and officers brutally retaliated against the prisoners. And, ultimately, New York State authorities prosecuted only the prisoners, never once bringing charges against the officials involved in the retaking and its aftermath, and neglecting to provide support to the survivors and the families of the men who had been killed. Drawing from more than a decade of extensive research, historian Heather Ann Thompson sheds new light on every aspect of the uprising and its legacy, giving voice to all those who took part in this 45-year fight for justice: prisoners, former hostages, families of the victims, lawyers and judges, and state officials and members of law enforcement. Blood in the Water is the searing and indelible account of one of the most important civil rights stories of the last century.

©2016 Heather Ann Thompson (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Fascinating yet so sad

Surprised to learn the true story behind Attica uprising. So many details to cover that it felt tedious at times. Would recommend reading/listening to the book.

a deeply humane account of state violence

A masterful account from one of America’s leading historians. Groundbreaking research conveyed with courage, humanity, and empathy that helps us appreciate why Attica still matters.

an ok book

if your looking for what i would say is a relatively accurate account of the Attica prison riot and its legacy this is the book, but i find the streching of racial bigotry found in midcentury America to todays prison system and the reforms still needed to be just that a stretch. i still highly recommend this book though to any body who is interested in history or the injustices that have historically happened in our country.

good story

The story was good. Narration was good. Only issue is the writer slants the story in support of the convicts and does not seem to put any blame on the inmates for the uprising and the deaths. But still very well done.

Excellent Coverage

As someone who lived in New York and had a family member working as a CO during the uprising this book was riveting. I am sure many readers will be surprised and upset to learn the true story of the role the state played in making a horrible situation so much more devastating. It is a very sad commentary on power and our judicial system that it took so long for all the victims to receive compensation and minimal justice at best. Excellent.

please read

A book that America needs to read. As a society, we can't keep going down long hard roads to end up in the same place

justice at last!

incredible story. obviously much more harrowing for those who (or died) through it. well told.

Fascinating and informative

Attica is a great subject, a long-forgotten exclamation point in American history. This book exposes the subsequent legal battle for “justice” sought by prisoners and hostages harmed by the State’s brutality. The story is great. The epilogue could be expanded into a whole new book. The writing could have used a little more editing and the narration was a bit flat, but overall, my time was well spent.

It grabs the listener by the lobe.

It taught me how bad management and prejudice behavior can lead to unwanted killings. I don't trust men exactly but this has given me hope of human rights progress, though slow, to be on its way to a better understanding

Attica Rebellion

All I’m going to add is that in my humble opinion, two wrongs never make a right.