56 pages • 1 hour read
Don LemonThis Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In This Is the Fire, journalist Don Lemon uses the historic tumult of 2020 as a backdrop to examine racism in America and the question of how it can be ended during our lifetimes. Lemon reflects on the massive protests following George Floyd's murder, the impact of Donald Trump's presidency, and the COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate toll on people of color, while also drawing on his personal experiences and family history to explore systemic racism and propose incremental social reforms for a future benefitting all. The book addresses racism, violence, and discrimination.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Don Lemon's This Is the Fire resonates as a passionate, timely exploration of racism and social justice. Critics laud its urgency and personal narrative style. However, some argue it offers few new insights on well-trodden issues. Overall, it's praised for its heartfelt appeal but critiqued for its occasionally repetitive content. MLA
Who Should Read This Is the Fire?
Readers who appreciate This Is the Fire by Don Lemon are typically engaged with contemporary discussions on race, equality, and justice. Fans of personal narratives and societal critiques will find this compelling, similar to Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.