Summary

The opening 40 pages of the novel contain a series of historical photos, documents, and quotes. These are all from the time setting of the novel, the summer of 1964. There is a statement issued by President John F. Kennedy announcing the Civil Rights Bill and urging people to ensure a peaceful transition to this new law. There is an excerpt from the Citizenship Clause of the Constitution's 14th Amendment. There are photos of demonstrations, including a group of black youngsters asking for admission to a public swimming pool, and a black woman being arrested. There is a statement by Chief Justice Earl Warren, declaring that the separate-but-equal rule of segregation is unconstitutional. There are photos of training sessions as students prepare to face the hostility in Mississippi during their efforts to help blacks register. There are photos of the Beatles, Willie Mays, and soldiers...