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I Can't Breathe: A Killing on Bay Street Paperback – September 4, 2018

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A work of riveting literary journalism that explores the roots and repercussions of the infamous killing of Eric Garner by the New York City police—from the bestselling author of The Divide

NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST

On July 17, 2014, a forty-three-year-old black man named Eric Garner died on a Staten Island sidewalk after a police officer put him in what has been described as an illegal chokehold during an arrest for selling bootleg cigarettes. The final moments of Garner’s life were captured on video and seen by millions. His agonized last words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry for the nascent Black Lives Matter protest movement. A grand jury ultimately declined to indict the officer who wrestled Garner to the pavement.
 
Matt Taibbi’s deeply reported retelling of these events liberates Eric Garner from the abstractions of newspaper accounts and lets us see the man in full—with all his flaws and contradictions intact. A husband and father with a complicated personal history, Garner was neither villain nor victim, but a fiercely proud individual determined to do the best he could for his family, bedeviled by bad luck, and ultimately subdued by forces beyond his control. 
 
In America, no miscarriage of justice exists in isolation, of course, and in
I Can’t Breathe Taibbi also examines the conditions that made this tragedy possible. Featuring vivid vignettes of life on the street and inside our Kafkaesque court system, Taibbi’s kaleidoscopic account illuminates issues around policing, mass incarceration, the underground economy, and racial disparity in law enforcement. No one emerges unsullied, from the conservative district attorney who half-heartedly prosecutes the case to the progressive mayor caught between the demands of outraged activists and the foot-dragging of recalcitrant police officials. 
 
A masterly narrative of urban America and a scathing indictment of the perverse incentives built into our penal system,
I Can’t Breathe drills down into the particulars of one case to confront us with the human cost of our broken approach to dispensing criminal justice.

“Brilliant . . . Taibbi is unsparing is his excoriation of the system, police, and courts. . . . This is a necessary and riveting work.”—Booklist (starred review)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A complex and textured examination of the complicated personalities, flawed legal system, and politics revolving around the police killing of forty-three-year-old Eric Garner, whose final words became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.”The Boston Globe, “Must Read Books for the Fall”

“[A] brilliant work of narrative nonfiction . . . [Matt] Taibbi is unsparing is his excoriation of the system, police, and courts that led to the fatal choke hold and worked to blur the abuse afterward. . . . This is a necessary and riveting work.”
Booklist (starred review)

“[A] searing exposé . . . After deeply exploring Garner’s life from a variety of perspectives, Taibbi offers detailed reporting about the out-of-control Staten Island police officers present at the death scene . . . [and]  the futile efforts of the Garner family to achieve posthumous justice. . . . What emerges from the author’s superb reporting and vivid writing is a tragically revealing look at a broken criminal justice system geared to serve white citizens while often overlooking or ignoring the rights of others.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
 
“Matt Taibbi’s
I Can’t Breathe marries the best instincts of explanatory narrative journalism with uncompromising moral clarity. The result is a riveting walk through decades of policing policy and big city politics that culminated, seemingly inevitably, in Eric Garner’s killing by the New York Police Department. While he may have set out to document a fatal injustice, the tale Taibbi tells is not one of a death, but one of a life. In capturing the fullness of Garner’s ‘imperfect humanity,’ I Can’t Breathe adds a vital account of police violence and a vivid exploration of its lingering costs. Taibbi, through thorough reporting and captivating writing, captures the totality of an American tragedy.”—Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize–winning national correspondent for The Washington Post and author of the New York Times bestselling They Can’t Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore and a New Era in America's Racial Justice Movement

About the Author

Matt Taibbi has been a contributing editor for Rolling Stone and the author of five previous books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Great Derangement, Griftopia, and The Divide. He lives in New Jersey.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; Reprint edition (September 4, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081298885X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812988857
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.21 x 0.71 x 7.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 384 ratings

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Matt Taibbi
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Matt Taibbi, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Divide, Griftopia, and The Great Derangement, is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone and winner of the 2007 National Magazine Award for Columns and Commentary.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
384 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book for its engaging writing style and well-researched content. They find the story compelling and eye-opening, providing a comprehensive look at the tragedy from multiple angles. The author's integrity is also appreciated, as he builds his case solidly and eloquently. While some readers find the story tragic and emotional to read, others describe it as heartbreaking and hard to put down.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's a must-read and the author does a good job of explaining social dynamics.

"...is a little denser than some of Matt's other works, but he does a brilliant job of showing how a social structure/institution, one that we have..." Read more

"...Highly recommended book -- I was left stunned about just how little I knew about systemic large scale racism in the US...." Read more

"...Excellent research and reporting by the author. Must read." Read more

"This is a “Must read“ book...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing engaging and unique. They appreciate the author's solid case-building and excellent commentary.

"...This was a very well written and well researched book...." Read more

"...Written lively and with high integrity. And not long ago we were told by Supreme Court mandarins that we live in a post-racial society......" Read more

"...His writing is so easily readable and he makes a subject that could become tedious compelling, literally a page turner. One of my favorite authors." Read more

"...He is a captivating writer who can tell stories with a unique approach that is suspenseful and a page turner!" Read more

11 customers mention "Research quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research and reporting quality. They find the book well-researched, with a depth of investigation and character development. The writing is described as perceptive, disturbing, and an excellent work of journalism.

"...This was a very well written and well researched book...." Read more

"This is a superb work of journalism, all the more so because it was written by a white reporter who had to move way out of his comfort zone to write..." Read more

"A well researched and documented continuing racism on a massive scale in the US. Written lively and with high integrity...." Read more

"...Taibbi is a brilliant writer and one of the best investigative reports left standing...." Read more

10 customers mention "Storytelling"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's storytelling engaging. They appreciate the author's unique approach and its portrayal of the real-life story of Eric Garner. The book provides a disturbing look into the racism that led to his death.

"...It then does a deep look into the life, friends, and family of the man giving us a balanced picture of and sense for who he was and the impact of..." Read more

"A well researched and documented continuing racism on a massive scale in the US. Written lively and with high integrity...." Read more

"This book tells the story of Eric, not as a statistic or martyr or political device, but as a real human being who was a flawed and as gifted as any..." Read more

"...He is a captivating writer who can tell stories with a unique approach that is suspenseful and a page turner!" Read more

3 customers mention "Eye opening"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartbreaking and eye-opening. They appreciate the writer's perspective from all angles of this American tragedy.

"...It is heartbreaking, but also eye opening. It is too easy to view these incidents in isolation. I did...." Read more

"Taibbi is a great writer and gives a view from all angles of this American tragedy. You are almost transported into another part of our America" Read more

"Eye opening. Amazing!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Integrity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's integrity. They say it builds its case solidly and eloquently, and is a well-researched, well-supported indictment of the structure.

"...Written lively and with high integrity. And not long ago we were told by Supreme Court mandarins that we live in a post-racial society......" Read more

"...It is also a well researched, well supported indictment of the structure of the police force, a structure build on laws, policies, political..." Read more

"Taibbi is strident and angry, but he builds his case solidly and eloquently...." Read more

7 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the story. Some find it heartbreaking and emotional to read, while others describe it as eye-opening and sobering.

"...Very sad." Read more

"...It is heartbreaking, but also eye opening. It is too easy to view these incidents in isolation. I did...." Read more

"This was real life and so tragic. It was well written and I learneda lot about life in a poor Area of Staten Island." Read more

"...Yet one must read and be touched by its tortured, continual and tragic reality...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2021
    This book starts out describing the events that led to the tragic killing of Eric Gardner. It then does a deep look into the life, friends, and family of the man giving us a balanced picture of and sense for who he was and the impact of both his life and his killing at the hands of police officers. Matt Taibbi then goes into detail of the legal system band the machinations that have so far led to their being nit even a semblance of justice for Mr. Garner and his family. The end of the book may have you looking into your own psyche afterwards to confront any potential racism divide within yourself. Hopefully, with honest, raw assessment of the injustices done in this country due to our denial how racial discrimination is a baked in feature to our current American society will help us ultimately confront and overcome fears and hate that keep rising up and dividing us from each other.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
    I've watched a lot of Matt Taibbi's reporting but have never actually read any of his stuff. This was a very well written and well researched book. I live in NY and forgot a lot of the details about the case and knew nothing about who Eric Garner actually was on a personal level. Would highly recommend to anyone.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
    I bought the book to be uncomfortable, it did its job. It could use updating and a little less preaching. I struggle with lifelong criminals pedestaled as victims.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2018
    I've liked pretty much everything Matt Taibbi has written, but this one was/is one of his best. Full disclosure, I am a criminology professor, and this is is a little denser than some of Matt's other works, but he does a brilliant job of showing how a social structure/institution, one that we have given so much power to in our laws, how they can impact us as individuals, in this case tragically for one person- Eric Garner. It is heartbreaking, but also eye opening. It is too easy to view these incidents in isolation. I did. I looked at the officers, what could have been done differently, and was horrified. What I should have done, and what Taibbi did, was take a step back and look at the system, and not just look at the system and how it failed, but look at what happened with that system over time and what led up to that moment.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2020
    This is a superb work of journalism, all the more so because it was written by a white reporter who had to move way out of his comfort zone to write it. By Taibbi’s own admission it was a painful journey, but one that gave voice to those who knew and loved Eric Garner, and to those who understand from first hand experience the racism that leads to the death of Black men at the hands of white police. Taibbi makes the case that the police are actually doing the job of the white-dominated society that wants men like Garner to disappear.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2017
    In the days of faketubes, Twi(a)tbooks, blogs and other such nonsense I found myself asking recently, quite often, I must admit: how the **** did we end up here. With clickbaity headlines, advertorials, 24hour breaking news cycle and presidential decrees delivered 140 characters at a time I have to conclude that media is broken. (Coincidentally, for more detailed description of symptoms I would suggest Insane Clown President). It is not broken because Wolf's latest graphic is less glizy than the last, or because Anderson Cooper suddenly started to age, or because John Stewart quit but Tucker is still on TV. No, it's deeper than that, it's the fact that we all know deep inside that what we are told is not the whole truth, a facet that we choose to agree or disagree with, yes, but not the full picture. We accept that politicians and media figures lie to make the point that is currently more convenient. Meanwhile the whole truth and the problems we face are hard, complex, usually grey, and most certainly not advertiser friendly.
    I don't know if there is will or courage or place to save journalism. But if you forgot what real reporting looks like, with all the complexity and nuance and context of the story: read "I can't breathe".
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2017
    A well researched and documented continuing racism on a massive scale in the US. Written lively and with high integrity. And not long ago we were told by Supreme Court mandarins that we live in a post-racial society...
    I listened to this outstanding in-depth analysis in Audible format -- which was well narrated
    Highly recommended book -- I was left stunned about just how little I knew about systemic large scale racism in the US. A meat-grinding machine about which white people like me are completely unaware
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
    I thought I knew something about the recurring police brutality problems, but this book peeled back layers that I was completely unaware of about life in racist America. Taibbi is a brilliant writer and one of the best investigative reports left standing. His writing is so easily readable and he makes a subject that could become tedious compelling, literally a page turner. One of my favorite authors.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Maurício Fontana Filho
    4.0 out of 5 stars Serve para que pesquisa sobre o assunto
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 16, 2020
    Essa obra não é um romance, mas um produto de pesquisa com foco na morte de Eric Garner. A menos que estejas a pesquisar e produzir material acadêmico na temática, não faria sentido adquirir a obra.
  • Brookep
    1.0 out of 5 stars Poor condition.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2019
    Damaged. Bought as a gift.

    Can't give it like this.
    Customer image
    Brookep
    1.0 out of 5 stars Poor condition.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2019
    Damaged. Bought as a gift.

    Can't give it like this.
    Images in this review
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    Customer imageCustomer image
  • Rae (They/Them)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2020
    Honestly, this book is one of many that are so important to read. I was shocked by some of the things that happened and it definitely impacted my view of America and even the world and how much people are treated differently because of their race.

    Racism and discrimination was a problem for hundreds of generations, it's still a problem now in 2020 and it needs to end. People need to wake up and realise that the world we live in is a world that needs to change for three whether and for good.
  • Professor Steve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2018
    Fantastic book about Eric Garner and the Black Lives Matter movement. Beautifully written, thoroughly researched. It's movingly personal in terms of the way we get to know Garner and his family, through their words and stories, but also shines a bright light on the tangled institutional politics of New York, its police force and court system -- which have allowed Garner's killers to get away, quite literally, with murder. Taibbi also shows how the current police regime has its roots in the flawed sociological notion of "Broken Windows theory" - which becomes accidentally racist precisely by not talking about race.
  • The Irishman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2021
    If you want to get an insight as to where BLM comes from or the reality of broken police policies, this book is for you.