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Malcolm Before X

"Parr has written the definitive story of the youth and early adulthood of one of the most dazzling and controversial civil rights leaders in American history."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This first-rate biography looks at. . . one of the great conversion stories of modern history: a young man mired in crime raises himself up and, through self-discipline, becomes an explosive spokesperson for Black Americans.”—Library Journal, starred review

Malcolm Before X focuses on the early years of Malcolm X’s life and the experiences that shaped the man he became. . . . Excerpts [from Malcolm X’s autobiography] are supplemented with accounts from his family and friends, providing external perspectives that at times conflict with his own. The multiple accounts are managed well, adding layers and widening the scope of the narrative.”—Foreword Reviews

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The Innermost House, A Memoir

"Salt air and the limits of memory animate this heartrending debut. . . . Readers will be captivated."—Publishers Weekly

The Innermost House is a stunning book that will make you reassess everything you thought you knew about remembering, forgetting, and storytelling.”—Adrienne Brodeur, author of Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me

“This is a book I will cherish and return to again and again.”—Natasha Trethewey, nineteenth US Poet Laureate, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, and author of the memoirs Memorial Drive and House of Being

Read an excerpt on the book’s webpage by clicking “read more.”

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Democratic Spaces, Land Preservation in New England, 1850–2010

Democratic Spaces was selected for the 2024 Forest History Society Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Book Award!

​“Democratic Spaces is an excellent account of the land preservation movement in New England from 1850 to the present. The author has made many discoveries through his painstaking research in the archives of land trusts and in local newspapers and journals.”—James Warren, H-Environment

“Judd tells a story of the development of landscape and access policy which. . .portrays a USA that is rather different to the one we might imagine from having watched television throughout the past few years; it is an optimistic book and worth reading for that reason as well.”—Graham FaircloughLandscapes

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Announcing the UMass Press Podcast!

We’ve partnered with New Books Network to have our own podcast! Search “UMass Press Podcast” on your favorite podcasting app and subscribe to be notified of new episodes.

The 50+ existing episodes feature Food Margins: Lessons from an Unlikely GrocerTeaching the History of the Book, Everyday Reading, and much more!

See it on the new books network

News & Features

  • Books for the year to come

    Welcome to 2025! In times of uncertainty and change, it is important to keep reading and stay as informed as possible. That’s why we’ve curated a selection of books perfect...

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