Ahead of Their Time:
The Story of the Omaha DePorres Club
"...solid history and an engrossing narrative." Paul Putz, Baylor University Department of History
Telling the fascinating story of the Omaha DePorres Club, Matt Holland's book reveals a little-known chapter of some of the early battles against racism in the United States. Along with detailed accounts of the Omaha DePorres Club's pioneering efforts, Holland's book also gives insights into the people who dared to challenge the racism of a city known as "the Birmingham of the North."
"I could not put this book down. Narrative drive, character development, archival documentation -- everything I want in a social history. All of it wrapped in the love and respect with which the author frames his father, Denny Holland. Moreover, the author had the chops to capture Father John Markoe, whose charisma and torment cry out for the big screen. This is important history -- for the civil rights movement, and for Omaha. Some of it is hard to stomach -- the third major character is Jim Crow -- but its realism is matter-of-fact, not melodramatic. A terrific read."
-Steve Marantz, Author of The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central "A fascinating pre-cursor to "civil rights" history...an important work."
Roberto Bonazzi, author of Man in the Mirror: John Howard Griffin and the Story of Black Like Me "...this book is an important contribution to studies of Civil Rights in US History. Holland presents a very digestible story here of the Omaha DePorres Club in the late 40s and early 50s. Scorned by many in their day, lauded by some in later years, forgotten by too many for too long - as the title suggests, they were "ahead of their time."
-Scott Wilson, US History teacher, Omaha Central High School |
Read samples from the book here:
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