The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America by Nicholas Lemann

The book chronicles the epic relocation of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North of the United States between World War I and the 1970s. This transformative movement, known as the Great Migration, is examined through the lens of its profound impact on American society, politics, and culture. The narrative delves into the hopes, struggles, and aspirations of the migrants as they sought better opportunities and faced the challenges of racism, economic hardship, and cultural adaptation in their new communities. The author provides a comprehensive analysis of how this demographic shift reshaped the urban landscape, influenced the civil rights movement, and ultimately altered the fabric of the nation.

The 6278th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 84

Since this book was first published in 1991, there is a penalty of 27.2%. The age adjusted score is 61.15.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.