Death in a Promised Land - by Scott Ellsworth (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Widely believed to be the most extreme incident of white racial violence against African Americans in modern United States history, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre resulted in the destruction of over one thousand black-owned businesses and homes as well as the murder of between fifty and three hundred black residents.

Exhaustively researched and critically acclaimed, Scott Ellsworth's Death in a Promised Land is the definitive account of the Tulsa race riot and its aftermath, in which much of the history of the destruction and violence was covered up. It is the compelling story of racial ideologies, southwestern politics, and incendiary journalism, and of an embattled black community's struggle to hold onto its land and freedom. More than just the chronicle of one of the nation's most devastating racial pogroms, this critically acclaimed study of American race relations is, above all, a gripping story of terror and lawlessness, and of courage, heroism, and human perseverance.

From the Back Cover

Exhaustively researched, Death in a Promised Land is a compelling story of racial ideologies, southwestern politics, and yellow journalism, and of an embattled black community's struggle to hold onto its land and freedom.

Review Quotes

Death in a Promised Land is a cogent, meticulously organized, and revealing narrative of an American tragedy and as such makes a significant contribution to the growing body of literature on racial conflict and violence.--Oral History Review

A model of succinctness that reveals the value of oral history in exploring 'one of the most devastating single incidents of racial violence in twentieth century America.'--American Historical Review

A valuable addition to the literature on racial violence and the time of troubles that embraced World War I.--Journal of Southern History

This is a notable study of one incident in American race relations which had an important impact on events at the local, state, and national levels.--Journal of the Southwest

A useful reminder of America's tradition of race discrimination at a time when the nation clearly would rather ignore such unpleasant matters.--Washington Post

An exemplary social history case study of American race relations and racial ideologies. This splendid book belongs in any library serving readers in American history.--Library Journal

Ellsworth has treated this complex and emotional story with great care and sensitivity. . . . This volume will no doubt merit the rare distinction of having considerable value to general readers and specialists alike.--Journal of American History

This is a fine book, well worth reading, on a part of our history that should never be permitted to escape the minds of historians and students for generations to come.--Western Historical Quarterly

About the Author

Scott Ellsworth received his Ph.D. from Duke University and currently teaches history at the University of Michigan. He served as the chief historian on the Tulsa Race Riot Commission (1999-2000) and is chair of the committee leading the effort to identify the unmarked graves of victims of the 1921 riot for the upcoming 2021 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial.