Recently, a new friend said she was interested in learning more about the Civil Rights Era. Hearing about my father's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, she asked me to suggest some references. Here is my reply to her.
Stephanie, it was a delight to meet you. As promised here are a couple of books that might interest you:
Eyes On The Prize, America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965. by Juan Williams, a companion Volume to the PBS Television Series.
This book is well written and is illustrated. There is also an extensive companion website (http://pbsvideodb.pbs.org/resources/eyes/); and Blockbusters carried the videos the last I checked (at least in my neighborhood - a year or so ago).
Note: that in Eyes on the Prize index my father's name is misspelled: "Wiles Branton", in the text it is correctly spelled "Wiley Branton". If you have trouble locating a copy of this one, let me know.
Civil Rights Chronicle; The African-American Struggle for Freedom, by Clayborne Carson
This book is heavily illustrated and goes by decades from the 1900s to the 1990s. It has been on sale for as little as $20.00 on Bargain Book Sections.
I suspect the first one is more to what you are looking for. I recommend an illustrated book as the pictures can convey a sense of the times that text alone cannot.
I have an extensive library and if you are interested in additonal references, I will be happy to suggest some, including a couple that address more of my father's specific contributions. However, I think the above books would give you a better overall context. If you want a quick overview of my father's life, this link is a pretty good: http://www.arkansasblacklawyers.net/branton.html . You could also google: "Wiley Branton" and get several hits including remembrances by editorial writers and others.
You also expressed a new found interest in history, I can also recommend some of my favorite general World and American History books depending on your interest.
I hope you find your exploration of this era interesting, enlightening and inspiring,
Rhb
12:03:18 AM 
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