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The Central Park Five

A story revisited in light of the acclaimed new Netflix series When They See Us, directed by Ava DuVernay
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( 2,004 ratings, 242 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Central Park Five by Sarah Burns delves into the true story of five young men wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime in New York City's Central Park in 1989. The book explores the intense media attention, racial tensions, and miscarriages of justice that surrounded the case, offering a detailed analysis of its impact on the lives involved and broader societal implications.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This gripping true crime narrative may appeal to you if you're fascinated by high-stakes legal dramas and the complexities of justice. It delves into the wrongful conviction of five teenagers in a notorious case, offering keen insights into systemic failures and the pursuit of truth. If you enjoy compelling stories that challenge societal perceptions, this book offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Central Park Five holds a reflective mirror up to our present day, going back to another period of rampant race-baiting, racially motivated police misconduct and the point at which Donald Trump made his first foray into US politics. This book will make you question whether much has really changed in the past thirty years.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

On April 20th, 1989, two passersby discovered the body of the "Central Park jogger" crumpled in a ravine. She'd been raped and severely beaten. Within days, five black and Latino teenagers were apprehended, all five confessing to the crime.

The staggering torrent of media coverage that ensued, coupled with fierce public outcry, exposed the deep-seated race and class divisions in New York City at the time. The minors were tried and convicted as adults despite no evidence linking them to the victim.

Over a decade later, when DNA tests connected serial rapist Matias Reyes to the crime, the government, law enforcement, social institutions, and media of New York were exposed as having undermined the individuals they were designed to protect.

Here, Sarah Burns recounts this historic case for the first time since the young men's convictions were overturned, telling, at last, the full story of one of New York's most legendary crimes.

The events surrounding the Central Park Five are soon to be dramatised in WHEN THEY SEE US - a Netflix series directed by Ava Duvernay.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Central Park Five by Sarah Burns is lauded for its gripping narrative that serves as an allegory for contemporary criminal justice issues. Reviewers highlight its importance and unflinching portrayal of a notorious crime, portraying it as a powerful argument questioning the reliability of the justice system. The book is praised for its thought-provoking, riveting, and remarkable storytelling, committed to adhering to the truth.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529358971

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 May 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 202g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Sarah Burns is a writer and documentary filmmaker who first wrote about the Central Park Five as an undergraduate at Yale University. Her films include The Central Park Five, which received many awards and honours, including a Peabody Award, Jackie Robinson, East Lake Meadows: A Public Housing Story, and an upcoming biography of Muhammad Ali for PBS. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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