54 pages • 1 hour read
Timothy B. TysonBlood Done Sign My Name: A True Story
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy B. Tyson recounts the 1970 racially motivated murder of Henry Marrow Jr., a Black Army veteran, by white assailants in Oxford, North Carolina, and the subsequent civil unrest. The book explores the entrenched white supremacy and racial tensions in the South, spotlighting the reactions from both Black and white communities as well as Tyson's personal and academic journey influenced by these events. Tyson uses unedited racial language, including epithets, for historical authenticity.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Timothy B. Tyson's Blood Done Sign My Name is praised for its powerful narrative and in-depth exploration of racial tensions in 1970s North Carolina. Critics commend its historical accuracy and emotional impact. However, some felt the prose could be dense at times, affecting readability. Overall, it is regarded as an essential, insightful read on America's complex racial history.
Who Should Read Blood Done Sign My Name?
Readers who appreciate The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates will find Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy B. Tyson compelling. It appeals to those interested in civil rights history, racial justice, and nuanced personal narratives set against significant social upheaval.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1240L