Give Us the Ballot

The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America

By: Ari Berman

Narrated by: Tom Zingarelli

The adoption of the landmark Voting Rights Act in 1965 enfranchised millions of Americans and is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of the civil rights movement. Yet fifty years later, we are still fighting heated battles over race, representation, and political power - over the right to vote, the central pillar of our democracy.

A groundbreaking narrative history of voting rights since 1965, Give Us the Ballot tells the story of what happened after the act was passed. Through meticulous archival research, fresh interviews with the leading participants in the ongoing struggle, and incisive on-the-ground reporting, Ari Berman chronicles the transformative impact the act had on American democracy and investigates how the fight over the right to vote has continued in the decades since. From new strategies to keep minorities out of the voting booth to cynical efforts to limit political representation by gerrymandering electoral districts to the Supreme Court's recent stunning decision that declared a key part of the Voting Rights Act itself unconstitutional, Berman tells the dramatic story of the pitched contest over the very heart of our democracy. At this important historical moment, Give Us the Ballot brings new insight to one of the most vital political and civil rights issues of our time.

©2015 Ari Berman (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Not just a compelling history, but a cry for help in the recurring struggle to gain what is supposed to be an inalienable right." ( Kirkus, starred review)

Very informative!

I learned a lot from listening to this book. I didn't know how hard it was to fight to keep the vra active.

A must read for all concerned about civil rights

If you could sum up Give Us the Ballot in three words, what would they be?

Voting Rights Primer

What did you like best about this story?

Fascinating history of the battle for voting rights which continues up to this day and beyond. Illustrates the interplay between legislation, DOJ enforcement of legislation, and court rulings, any one of which can tip the scales in support of or in opposition to our right to vote.

Any additional comments?

Need to pay particular attention to the ploy of citing concern about voter fraud to restrict voting rights.

super informative

super informative for anybody interested and systematic oppression or anyone interested in voting rights history in America

Every American should read this

Thank you Amazon for promoting this book. It made me more fully appreciate our right to vote, and the ongoing battle to limit the rights of some (poor, people of color, etc) to exercise this right. We should all be concerned when access is denied or diminished.

I keep referring and recommending this book

An interesting history of voting over the last 150 years, mostly focusing against the backdrop of how HAVA and the push to neutralize it has taken place over the last 20 years. It compares and contrasts the discussions and techniques to disenfranchise many in our country from allowing them to be able to vote and to have that vote count in an effective way. It takes a look at all the culprits and all the small ways and large ways that voting has been manipulated for so many of us in so many ways.

What is interesting is how often it has been referenced directly and indirectly by people I respect, but also how many people don't understand all the causes and ways 'small steps' add up to significant results.

Unfortunately, very current.

In-Depth Blow by Blow Account of the VRA

This is definitely a worthwhile listen that covers Enfranchisement to Disenfranchisement to Enfranchisement again (to current possible Disenfranchisement). It starts with LBJ and the Voters Rights Act's beginning and lists every single struggle and slap in the face Blacks, the poor, the invisible have faced along the way to now.
There are heroes and most certainly villains, boos and cheers, and it's absolutely extraordinary that here, in what we'd like to believe is the World's Greatest Democracy, gross handling and mishandling of the law exists. We're supposed to be better than what this history chronicles. But obviously, we're not.
While most certainly a good book, "Give Us the Ballot" could've used some editing. I mean, truly, this is a book dedicated to the details of the horrific. At just over 12 hours, you get EVERYthing.
Still, it's an eye-opener, and it'll make you more motivated to be engaged in conversations being had by those in power. Because what they've done, whether it be gerrymandering to blatant voter suppression laws, makes you think of Big Brother states.
Wait a second. "They've"? Perhaps more like, "We've". After all, we've let them get away with it for a long, long time...

A must listen!

This gripping story of voting rights in America is not to be missed! Berman clearly and skillfully dissects, analyzes, and discusses each new development from the 60s to today. Wonderfully narrated and critical information for all voting age Americans

I'm stunned

This book should be required reading/ listening for high school students. Seriously. I consider myself fairly well read; I'm a liberal who thought she was paying attention to voting rights but there is so much here that I didn't know. It really isn't an exaggeration to say that we are seeing Jim Crow reborn. We should be horrified and angry.

From beginning to modern day (2016 Roberts Court)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book would depend on the friend. It is not for the faint of heart, or the non-political person. My brother and best friend would love the political detail and path of the Voting Rights Act, but my wife would shoot me for recommending she listen to it.

What other book might you compare Give Us the Ballot to and why?

Any Presidential biography, a bit dry, but to be expected from a work of this nature.

What about Tom Zingarelli’s performance did you like?

Mr. Zingarelli had a wonderful voice and performance of the detailed historical information. Not too boring, but not too flamboyant.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The VRA...
from it's Beginning,
to it's End?

Two times

This book is a must read/listen for everyone interested in how this country got, politically, to where it is today. I've listen twice because knowledge is powerful.