TRUE CRIME INK
TRUE CRIME BOOK REVIEW

A Death In Texas
by
Dina Temple-Raston
(Published 2002 1st US Edition by Henry Holt and Company,
Price 26.00 US, 316 pp, Index, Illustrated)

On June 7, 1998 James Byrd Jr. was dragged to his death in the
small east Texas town of Jasper. Temple-Raston takes a look not only
at this crime, both victim and perpetrators, but also at this small
town that was turned upside down and made to look at itself whether
they wanted to or not, she succeeds in making the reader take
a look at themselves as well.

Temple-Raston has put together a highly readable, and quick
to read, book that digs into Jasper's background, past and present, and
makes you wonder if the 1960s attitudes of the southern "Confederate"
states is making a slow comeback, although, it seems that some
Jasperites have changed their views for the better after this crime
(a little too late for Mr. Byrd).  Before reading this book I was under
the impression that for the most part the inexcusible prejudices of the
deep south have disappeared replaced by acceptance, however after
reading this book I wonder if those prejudices haven't just moved
to East Texas. The towns in that area and their views that
Temple-Raston mentions in the book were a wakeup call for me.

As stated above Temple-Raston has put together a book that is
a quick read and a thought provoking one as well. Temple-Raston
was a reporter for the Bloomberg Business News which style
she transfers to book writing very well, quick to the point and
only what matters is what's written.

Recommended.

 

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