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Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Hardcover – November 12, 2019

by Jessica McDiarmid (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 723 ratings
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“These murder cases expose systemic problems... By examining each murder within the context of Indigenous identity and regional hardships, McDiarmid addresses these very issues, finding reasons to look for the deeper roots of each act of violence.” —The New York Times Book Review

In the vein of the bestsellers I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and The Line Becomes a River, a penetrating, deeply moving account of the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls of Highway 16, and a searing indictment of the society that failed them.

For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The corridor is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.

Journalist Jessica McDiarmid meticulously investigates the devastating effect these tragedies have had on the families of the victims and their communities, and how systemic racism and indifference have created a climate in which Indigenous women and girls are overpoliced yet underprotected. McDiarmid interviews those closest to the victims—mothers and fathers, siblings and friends—and provides an intimate firsthand account of their loss and unflagging fight for justice. Examining the historically fraught social and cultural tensions between settlers and Indigenous peoples in the region, McDiarmid links these cases to others across Canada—now estimated to number up to four thousand—contextualizing them within a broader examination of the undervaluing of Indigenous lives in the country.

Highway of Tears is a piercing exploration of our ongoing failure to provide justice for the victims and a testament to their families’ and communities’ unwavering determination to find it.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Atria Books
  4. Publication date
    November 12, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1501160281
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1501160288
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Powerful . . . [McDiarmid], writing with deeply felt emotion, makes it abundantly clear that this racism persists today [and] brings to light a little-known story that deserves more attention.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This moving, well-sourced book is essential reading for anyone who cares about social injustice.” —Publishers Weekly

"McDiarmid's touching, poignant account intricately details the backgrounds of many of the victims, and their families and loved ones. She deftly explains the continuous circle of blatant racism, depression, hopelessness, poverty, and addiction faced by the women, brought on by lack of opportunity and, frankly, by the lack of care from the government." —Booklist

“These murder cases expose systemic problems . . . By examining each murder within the context of Indigenous identity and regional hardships, McDiarmid addresses these very issues, finding reasons to look for the deeper roots of each act of violence.” —New York Times Book Review

“A searing account of how systemic racism robbed these victims of justice and continues to endanger Indigenous women and girls in Canada.” —Paste

About the Author

Jessica McDiarmid is a Canadian journalist who has reported on human rights and social justice from around the world. She grew up near the Highway of Tears and has been investigating the murders for the past five years. This is her first book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books (November 12, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501160281
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501160288
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 723 ratings

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Jessica McDiarmid

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
723 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Change
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023
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We are not born racist. Why do we let it grow in us as we grow up? We need to answer that question and try to correct it in ourselves and our children.
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Ross Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping "Must Read" Book
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2020
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I cried yet couldn't put down this gripping, tragic book that traces the lives and deaths of a number of the many indigenous women who disappeared on or near the Highway of Tears in western Canada. Jessica McDiarmid tells these stories while connecting to the broader societal and human issues that have led to a culture that allowed these women to be victimized at a rate much higher than other demographic groups. Truly a must read!!
9 people found this helpful
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Kat
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Topic, Informative Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
After hearing an episode of Crime Junkies about the Highway of Tears, I was intrigued because I had never heard of it before and because I think it's an important topic for myself, as a white womxn, to be aware of. This book is thorough, and the author does a brilliant job of memorializing the victims of this tragic and fatal highway as well as depicting the investigations- or lack thereof.
3 people found this helpful
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LauMic
4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling account of Indigenous women in Canada
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2019
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This was a thoroughly and compassionately researched reporting of the women lost along the aptly named Highway of Tears in British Columbia. The author brought humanity and heart to the very sad statistics. Important discussions about racism, fear and social and economic injustices.
5 people found this helpful
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Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening read about a difficult topic
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
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McDiarmid does an excellent job exposing this national tragedy. All nations have a obligation to give justice for those ho sacrificed their lives because of racism and bigotry.
One person found this helpful
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Dezda Finn
5.0 out of 5 stars Horrifyingly real on today’s existing oppression. This is NOT just an issue in Canada.
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
All people could benefit from learning about the struggle of others. Other races. Other backgrounds. Other cultures.
This is a story, including so many stories, that are similar, about the reality of missing and murdered indigenous women. This is NOT just a problem in Canada, sadly. So many things need to change.
3 people found this helpful
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Ramsey Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Getting this book for everyone!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2020
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Such an eye opening book!! Will be buying one of friends and family! Such a good and powerful read!
3 people found this helpful
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Patti from Brooklyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Racism against First Nation Women in Canada
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book shed light on the plight of First Nation women in Canada, and how their disappearances and murders are not fully addressed or taken seriously by the government and society at large. The book should have shorter because it becomes repetitive.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Sue
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Everyone Should Read-Highway of Tears
Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a very well written book based on true stories. All of us can play a part in changing the racism, indifference, and lack of justice for MMIW and girls through our own attitudes and “one conversation at a time.” Powerful! As a white person, who was reported missing in the North last year, and knowing how quickly things unfolded to find my husband and I, I couldn’t help but think would it have been different if we weren’t the race that we are…that was a heart-wrenching realization as I read this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Andrew Quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars Scarily insightful and well written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
I’ve long been fascinated with the Highway of Tears but with so much substandard content out there it’s often hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.

This book is outstanding. Not only is it really well written, but it treats all the missing and murdered and their families with the utmost of respect.
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Andrew Quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars Scarily insightful and well written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2024
I’ve long been fascinated with the Highway of Tears but with so much substandard content out there it’s often hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.

This book is outstanding. Not only is it really well written, but it treats all the missing and murdered and their families with the utmost of respect.
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M Bolen
5.0 out of 5 stars Honour Their Lives
Reviewed in Canada on March 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Heartbreaking stories from the families of victims over decades. Urgent support is needed if this is to stop. Read this book and then think of something you can do to try and help make a difference
2 people found this helpful
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Michelle Stroud
5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put this down
Reviewed in Canada on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
I now have a better understanding of the struggles that indigenous women face. The author was really unbiased and shared many perspectives while really honouring the victims and their families. A very good book. I hope more Canadians read this.
5 people found this helpful
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Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars Indigenous People and Racism
Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book was a real eye opener. I never really knew that these things were happening in my country. My heart goes out to all of the families that have lost their lives ones. God bless everyone of you. I hope you will get your answers some day.
2 people found this helpful
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