Chocolate City

By Chris Myers Asch, George Derek Musgrove,

Book cover of Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital

Book description

Monumental in scope and vividly detailed, Chocolate City tells the tumultuous, four-century story of race and democracy in our nation's capital. Emblematic of the ongoing tensions between America's expansive democratic promises and its enduring racial realities, Washington often has served as a national battleground for contentious issues, including slavery, segregation,…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Chocolate City as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Chocolate City covers the last few centuries of history in DC.

This tome provides an in-depth overview of the history of race in Washington, DC from its founding to the present. It traces the history of race and democracy in the nation’s capital – from its days as a trading post for enslaved persons to its emergence as a booming metropolis.

By putting racial dynamics, tensions, and demographics at the center of the narrative, the authors develop a cohesive narrative that helps us to understand the multiple and consistent ways that Black DC residents have been disenfranchised and dispossessed. 

Want books like Chocolate City?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Chocolate City.

Browse books like Chocolate City

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in African Americans, race relations, and gentrification?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about African Americans, race relations, and gentrification.

African Americans Explore 727 books about African Americans
Race Relations Explore 241 books about race relations
Gentrification Explore 23 books about gentrification