From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement

Paula Yoo

Book cover for From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement
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Book cover for From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement
Image for variant 9798855148862

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement

Paula Yoo

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Description

America in 1982: Japanese car companies are on the rise and believed to be putting U.S. autoworkers out of their jobs. Anti-Asian American sentiment simmers, especially in Detroit. A bar fight turns fatal, leaving a Chinese American man, Vincent Chin, beaten to death at the hands of two white men, autoworker Ronald Ebens and his stepson, Michael Nitz.

Paula Yoo has crafted a searing examination of the killing and the trial and verdicts that followed. When Ebens and Nitz pled guilty to manslaughter and received only a $3,000 fine and three years' probation, the lenient sentence sparked outrage. The protests that followed led to a federal civil rights trial--the first involving a crime against an Asian American--and galvanized what came to be known as the Asian American movement.

Extensively researched from court transcripts, contemporary news accounts, and in-person interviews with key participants, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry is a suspenseful, nuanced, and authoritative portrait of a pivotal moment in civil rights history, and a man who became a symbol against hatred and racism.


Critical Reviews

A vivid, heartbreaking account of one of the most important moments in Asian American history. I couldn't put it down.-- "Gene Luen Yang"

[An] extensive examination.... From a Whisper is arguably the most comprehensive overview of the gruesome events and the aftermath of trials, protests, convictions, reversals and civil suits.... Yoo is determined: "not knowing" is no longer an option.-- "Shelf Awareness"

A tremendous feat of both research and writing--and a major contribution to our inspiring and infuriating American story.-- "Steve Sheinkin"

This clear and lucid account, based on in-depth research, superlatively conveys the context and significance of the events.... An accessible and compelling account of a tragedy that resonates through the decades.-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

Admirably objective.... Yoo discusses the resurgence of anti-Asian attitudes and rhetoric in connection to COVID-19, reinforcing the book's through line that Chin mustn't be forgotten.-- "Booklist (starred review)"

Yoo skillfully retells the life story of Vincent Chin [and] reminds readers of Chin's legacy 'to fight back against hate.'-- "Horn Book Magazine (starred review)"

Suspenseful.... [A] resonant, painstakingly recreated historical account.-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"

Readers will be riveted.... Highly recommended for readers interested in social justice nonfiction such as Chris Crowe's Getting Away with Murder and Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy.-- "School Library Journal (starred review)"

A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2021

A Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Book of 2021

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021

An NPR Best Book of 2021

A Horn Book Best Book of 2021

Publishing Information

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books
Pub date: 2021-04-20
Length: 374 pages

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