Bell uses an interesting way to frame the race issues the US has been struggling with ...well, for as long as it has been a country. Lots of facts (and cases) cited, but within a frame of "chronicles" so as to be engaging rather than dry reading.
My main "issue" with it is that it's a bit (read: a very lot) depressing to think about, particularly because in the end it offers no real solution - which is not the fault of the author, but of the subject. Sadly, there is no viable solution other than for folks to simply keep trying to strive for equality. But reading defenses with cases cited as "proof" for why scenarios that ought to offer up a viable path to change, wouldn't... it's just kind of crushing. Especially with it now having been about 30 years since this book was written, and nothing has changed. If anything, things may even be regressing. With still no viable solution presenting itself.

Overall, even with a few bits & pieces being a little dated, the actual content is still completely relevant (and the dated bits are just old numbers, so they still matter, it's just that it'd be nice to see what the comparison is for present day), so, still recommended for those interested in race issues in the US. ( )