Rating: 
Summary: Biased and Self-congratulatory
Review: This book offers a true yet biased view of the incident that happened in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. This is why:1. Kotlowitz interviews bystanders from Benton Harbor but not from St. Joseph. The only St. Joe residents quoted in his book are those somehow related to the case while Benton Harbor residents and their opinions abound. 2. Kotlowitz often makes vague statements about the area that cannot be backed up with solid evidence. For example, Kotlowitz makes a statement to the effect "It has been said that even God fled Benton Harbor during the white flight." My question is, who said that? Being a resident of this area I promise that I have never once heard that said. Rather, it is an oppurtunity for Kotlowitz to insert his opinion without claiming it. 3. Kotlowitz makes generalizations about the people of Southwestern Michigan based loosely on coincidental facts and/or rumors. For example, the "Go home FIPS" commentary. It is possible that this could have happened and maybe occasionally does, but it is not as common or accepted at Kotlowitz would lead the reader to believe. 4. Kotlowitz is not equal in his treatment of Benton Harbor Citizens and St. Joseph citizens. For example, he states that St. Joe residents claim to have moved out of Benton Harbor because of the crime and denounces this as racism. However, the mother of the victim in his book moved out of Benton Harbor for the same reason and he never commented on this as a racist gesture. I admit that at first I had a defensive knee jerk reaction to this book. However, I have since reread the book after moving away and gaining perspective on the situation. Racism is a problem in the area. Both sides have issues that Kotlowitz correctly addresses. My problem with the book is the style it is written in. I feel that it is inflaming and self congratulatory. Kotlowitz is talented at using slanted and sensationalist language in his book. However, this topic IS a worthy one to look at. I do not deny that he addresses an important problem to the area. I do believe that this book should be read with a grain of salt; as a journalist trying to to glamourize his story much like a small child who embellishes on the truth for a reaction. Although essentially true, it has been airbrushed and glittered to be a more satisfying story.
Rating: 
Summary: Another side of the news
Review: This report focuses on a murder in Benton Harbor, Michigan and the differing accounts of its events. It begins with the facts, but goes on to explore how perspectives of the event differ on opposite sides of the river that cuts through the area. Because one side of the river houses a generally white community while the other side consists mostly of African-Americans, the dissent is a starting point for discussing race in America. While the message is very serious, Kotlowitz does build his story through a compelling narrative format.
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