Medgar and Myrlie

Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America

By: Joy-Ann Reid

Narrated by: Joy-Ann Reid

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“Medgar Evers deserves a place alongside Malcolm X and Dr. King in our historical memory. Evers, with Myrlie as his partner in activism and in life, was doing civil rights work in the single most hostile and dangerous environment in America.”—from Medgar and Myrlie

By MSNBC's Joy-Ann Reid, a triumphant work of biography that repositions slain Civil Rights pioneer Medgar Evers at the heart of America's struggle for freedom, and celebrates Myrlie Evers's extraordinary activism after her husband's assassination in the driveway of their Mississippi home.

"I love this book. The empathic, brilliant, and wise Joy Reid has brought us the poignant, fascinating inside story of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, transformational leaders who confronted pure evil and risked their lives to ensure that all American children might grow up in a United States that was more just. As Reid shows us, that painful task is now more urgent than ever.” — Michael Beschloss

Myrlie Louise Beasley met Medgar Evers on her first day of college. They fell in love at first sight, married just one year later, and Myrlie left school to focus on their growing family.

Medgar became the field secretary for the Mississippi branch of the NAACP, charged with beating back the most intractable and violent resistance to black voting rights in the country. Myrlie served as Medgar’s secretary and confidant, working hand in hand with him as they struggled against public accommodations and school segregation, lynching, violence, and sheer despair within their state’s “black belt.” They fought to desegregate the intractable University of Mississippi, organized picket lines and boycotts, despite repeated terroristic threats, including the 1962 firebombing of their home, where they lived with their three young children.

On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers became the highest profile victim of Klan-related assassination of a black civil rights leader at that time; gunned down in the couple’s driveway in Jackson. In the wake of his tragic death, Myrlie carried on their civil rights legacy; writing a book about Medgar’s fight, trying to win a congressional seat, and becoming a leader of the NAACP in her own right.

In this groundbreaking and thrilling account of two heroes of the civil rights movement, Joy-Ann Reid uses Medgar and Myrlie’s relationship as a lens through which to explore the on-the-ground work that went into winning basic rights for Black Americans, and the repercussions that still resonate today.

©2023 Joy-Ann Reid (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

The Real Mississippi

As a young white child in Mississippi I was always told lies. iI didn't know it at the time but a lot of really awful things were said in my house which confused me about the teaching I was learning at church. As an adult I have sought out the truth. Megar Evers was a name I had heard a lot so this book was a must read for me. I thought I knew the truth but wow learning the truth from Myrle herself there's no substitute and what a hero her husband was. The story is full of both love and Meger was a caring father and loving husband who couldn't stop what he felt like his calling was to Mississippi a better place. One of the best things was to listen to by my MSNBC host Joy Reid.

Medger ✊🏾

This is a great love story about an underappreciated civil rights leader and his family. It’s beautiful, sad, inspiring, and the outcome, unfortunately, was inevitable.

The courage and perseverance of black Americans during segregation.

I learned a lot about segregation struggles in America and the many unsung and celebrated heroes of the past.

What they think they can hide or steal, will always come to light

This book has sparked a new found love for something that has been dormant in me for years, Our History. How the fight we think we are fighting now, truly was started, and somewhat forgotten by some pretty AHMAZING WARRIORS!

Joy-Ann…. THANK YOU.
Hearing your voice tell this powerful story”love story” really flicked that light in me that was dull!

To the warriors such as Medgar & Myrlie, and countless others, from the bottom of my heart, thank all of you for paving the way for a lil ole girl from NY to live the life I do.

One day I aspire to be a servant to our history as you all have.
#thefightcontiues #blacklivesmatter #myvoicatters #myhistorycantbeerased
♥️🖤💚💪🏾🙏🏾

Lastly, oh how I loved singing 🎵 to “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”, means more to me now, than as a child I sang it in Sunday school ♥️

Insightful

This book not only told us about Medgar Evers’ story, but of something that is often mentioned but never analyzed in civil rights stories: love. For it was love that brought change. And it was the love that Myrlie and Medgar had for each other that allowed him to keep going, to work toward making a difference. I really enjoyed listening to this book and the insightful perspective it provided.

Wow!

Fantastic book, I learned so much about the history of America! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Great Read!

I enjoyed how Joy Reid narrated this Book with such passion. You truly were taken on a History Journey! Thank you.

Wow, what a wonderful book.

Thank you Joy Reid for writing this book. It was so enlightening to be able to know some of what it took to be brave enough to bring about change in the Deep South. I’ve been so inspired by this beautiful book. It is a love story. It is a gift to us all. Why would anyone choose to hide this history. Thinking of all the effort by some to ban books we desperately need to continue our understanding. I do not get it.

And one last thought…as I head out to a watch party for the debate that I hope will bring a black/asian woman into the presidency, like she says, “We’re not going back!”

Medgar and Myrlie Important biographical history

The historical impact and importance of this love story left me in awe of the heroes and heroines that played such a large role in changing the segregated south and America.

Very informative.

The book gives a detailed account of the Evers’ commitment to civil rights. A must read!