James Meredith and the 1962 Riot

The speaker discusses their book on the 1962 riot at Ole Miss, focusing on the broader context of race, politics, and the university's history. The book aims to provide a deeper understanding of the events by examining long-term causes and the role of James Meredith. The speaker highlights their unique access to research sources and emphasizes the importance of context in understanding historical events.

What is the speaker's main reason for writing another book on James Meredith and the 1962 riot?

• To focus on the immediate causes of the riot

• To criticize previous books on the topic

• To explain the long-term causes of the 1962 events

• To provide a detailed biography of James Meredith

What does the speaker emphasize about the book's content?

• It is a collection of interviews with James Meredith

• It explores the confluence of race, politics, and the university

• It focuses solely on the riot

• It is a fictional account of the events

How does the speaker describe Mississippi in the 1950s and early 60s?

• As a progressive society

• As a rapidly changing state

• As a closed society

• As a peaceful community

What unique resources did the speaker use to portray James Meredith?

• Television documentaries and films

• Newspaper articles and public records

• Personal papers and interviews

• Public speeches and interviews

What is the focus of the first part of the book?

• The role of the federal government in the events

• The history of race and the University of Mississippi

• James Meredith's personal life

• The immediate causes of the 1962 riot