Flames after Midnight: Murder, Vengeance, and the Desolation of a Texas Community, Revised Edition

The start of the book was slow but necessary to get some background into the characters that populate the book. Then, things really start to take off. 1/3rd of the way through, I could not put it down. As a Texas genealogist, I found this book really compelling. As I read through it, I surfed over to Ancestry.com to pull the 1920 census from Freestone county Texas. This helped to flesh out the characters all the more. I was amazed to learn that of the sampling of the census records I reviewed (2 of 10 districts) over half of the inhabitants were black or latino. This points up another injustice that is often overlooked historically: These were taxpayers that were supporting the government that was hobbling them in every way. While some may be amazed at what "God fearing" citizens would do in a mob, I, for one am not. I am never amazed at the violence perpetrated by our White fore fathers though I am often saddened. A land born of blood will take a very long time to shed itself of that origin. We can't do it over night and it seems as though a couple of hundred years won't be enough time either. Kudos to Mr Akers on his well researched work.

What can cause civil, "God fearing" citizens of a small Texas community to commit such atrocities? What can cause the breakdown of rule of law and complete abandonment of American values? What can convince individuals that it is necessary and proper to burn a man alive on the town square of their community? This book is a reminder that hatred and evil does not just live in some foreign land or some corrupt urban metropolis. It exists down the street and may be harbored by our neighbor or our drinking buddy. While the events of this book happened more than 80 years ago, the author conveys what we Texans know; Too many civil "God fearing" people in our communities would say "he had it comin to him". This book is important not just to Texans but to everyone to remind us that the monster is still there and can still be awakened. This book reminds us that we must be forever vigilant, not just in a small Texas town but anywhere.

Much of what is taught of Texas history in schools points to the proud and honorable past of our state. Flames After Midnight tells of a part of our history that we are too often reluctant to relate, but a pert of our past that we should never forget. The outrage of which should never be repeated.

Much of what is taught of Texas history in schools points to the proud and honorable past of our state. Flames After Midnight tells of a part of our history that we are too often reluctant to relate, but a pert of our past that we should never forget. The outrage of which should never be repeated.

"Flames After Midnight" is an expertly researched and documented bit of history that reads like a suspense novel. I was so interested in the drama of the events and people that it was easy to forget it is real - its reality of course, makes the book even more important. A great read for fans of suspense and history buffs alike.