Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America

"Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America" is a riveting exploration of racial and criminal justice, centered around the tumultuous events of 1949 in Florida's citrus-rich Lake County. Author Gilbert King delves into the dark corners of Jim Crow-era labor and systemic oppression, painting a vivid picture of the social and economic forces that fueled racial violence. The narrative follows Thurgood Marshall, a pivotal figure in American legal history, as he courageously steps into a cauldron of hatred to defend the Groveland Boys—four young Black men falsely accused of rape. The book, which is underpinned by extensive, never-before-seen material from the FBI and the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund, not only captures the spirit of a nascent civil rights movement but also highlights the enduring need for reform in America’s justice system. Released on February 19, 2013, and a recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction among other accolades, this book is a must-read for high school students and others interested in the complex interplay of law, race, and history. This compelling account challenges readers to reflect on how far America has come with racial and criminal justice—and how far it still has to go.