March

The final installment of the graphic novel treatment of John Lewis's role in the Civil Rights movement is the best of the series. This important piece of American history is something every citizen should know about, and the March Trilogy excels at conveying not just the facts, but also the visceral aspects of humanity's struggle for freedom.

I needed to read this now. Right now, July 2020, while Nazi thugs kidnap and beat civilians in Portland and soon other cities, with war looming and despair so close at hand. I needed to read it because I'm furious, and these books stoked that anger, fueled it so hard I was gritting my teeth... but they did more than that: they taught me. Re-taught, perhaps, because it's something I already knew and know but just need reminding sometimes: nonviolence can work. Has worked. I feel humbled by Lewis and his cohort: what incredible, lovely people. What a beautifully narrated and illustrated story.

Wish someone had assigned this in middle school.

Of course, this wasn’t written until I already had a law degree, but my point stands. Critical American history that we’re barely taught, concisely and movingly. Well worth a few weekend hours for any Gen X/Millenial who knows there was a civil rights movement but can’t say much past “MLK did some things”, which, lets be honest, is most of us.

This is the third, and I believe last, book in this series. Nate Powell’s art is excellent, and the collaboration on the story with Andrew Aydin and Congressman Lewis tells the powerful story very well.

I recommend all three volumes, but suspect that this conclusion is the best!

This last was hardest to read (emotionally) but best of the set.