Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-08-08

created in the Upper Midwest.
Newspapers across the n,
ROwan's book.
Reaction ranged from the Bos-
ton Herald's comment calling II a
lively, readable and thoroughly
shocking portrayal of our nations
greatest shame" to the Atlanta
Sunday Journal and CONSTITUTIONS
charge that 1t can only force
(the South TO lose another 100
years"
The book appeared certain to
cause angry debate in many quart
ers with Holding Carter, Green
vile, Miss. editor calling it a
bitter report of loyal and per-
haps unquietly desperate Amen-
can" while at the same time the
Chicago Sun-Times was calling
the book "a sober. absorbing dis
cussion of race relations"
Carter, who reviewed the book
for the New York Times Sunday
book review, charged that the III
tie, South OF Freedom" was
biased against Dixie and he ad-
ded that the book lis no more
objective. impartial or balanced
than its title"
Carter admitted however, that
South of Freedom" is "a note
worthy contribution to the sad
folklore Of American interracial
relations"
HERE ARE EXCERPTS from
some of the reviews of Rowan's
book:
1T is a thoughtful. almost dis
passionate report OF what (Ro-
wan found. II Is worth the re-
Elective attention of every one
who believes in fair play and in
the dignity of human beings g,
Aside from its timeliness an d
general interest. South OF Free
dom" tells an absorbing story. -
The Washington, d. c., Sunday
Star.
IF the (Tribune) articles caus-
ed a furore, the book win cause
an equal sensation -. As a
chronicle OF how the South main
tains segregation. the book is re-
vealing. Where 1t reveals our
weaknesses, 1t perhaps destroys
its effectiveness through its bit
terness The Atlanta Sunday
Journal and Constitution.
1T Is to the authors credit that
he. a Negro, turned in an unemo-
tional and objective report on his
journey South Of Freedom. st
Paul Pioneer Press.
Mr.. Rowan writes calmly. but
behind his apparent cool objectiv-
ity the reader feels emotion see
thing. He Is against "gradualists"
who preach patience. and even
more against Communists. VIII o
exploit injustice and some times
by their extravaganza stampede
just men into supporting injustice.
Obviously. he himself has a rare
combination Of courage and hui
NOR. In reporting the drama of
his odyssey in his own South, and
the iliAds of his minor battles
with Pullman-car conductors, ne
chuckles. and IL yet aware that
these minor skirmishes are like
the struggles in the mountains of
Korea, a significant part Of the
world war for democracy. And
like those bloodier battles. are be-
ing won, too slowly and at too
great a cost Lewis Gannett in
the New York Herald Tribune.
What started as a series OF
newspaper articles has been de-
veloped into a deeply-moving vol
ume which reveals that the re.
porter Is remarkably sure of his
subject matter. "-Fletcher Martin
through intimate fash
backs to his own all Jim Crow
childhood. his own daily expert
ences in both the South and the
North. Rowan pinpoints the nu.
ances Of Negro life in a thorough.
Iy excellent documentary this
is not a book Of philosophical oh.
servations: Rowan's points are
made with vivid, intimate and
factual reporting Ted Poston
in the New York Post.
R0wan's book II on sale At all
bookstores and all Twin Cities de.
partment stores.