The Ground Breaking

The Ground Breaking chronicles the 1921 Tulsa race massacre and its aftermath through decades of silence and denial. Scott Ellsworth documents the destruction of Greenwood, a thriving Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the subsequent burial of both victims and truth. The book traces multiple investigation attempts to uncover what happened, including the search for mass graves and the collection of survivor testimonies. Ellsworth, who grew up in Tulsa, presents his personal connection to the story while maintaining historical accuracy through extensive research and documentation. The narrative follows key figures in Tulsa's history who worked to preserve and uncover the massacre's memory, from historians and archaeologists to community activists and survivors' descendants. Their efforts span nearly a century as they face institutional resistance and deliberate attempts to suppress the truth. This work confronts fundamental questions about historical memory, racial violence, and America's ability to address its past. The Ground Breaking stands as both a historical record and an examination of how communities confront - or avoid - their darkest moments.

Readers value how Ellsworth connects historical research with modern investigative journalism in uncovering the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The book's dual timeline approach - following both the massacre itself and the decades-long effort to uncover the truth - resonates with many readers. What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing style that balances historical detail with narrative flow - Personal stories and firsthand accounts that humanize the history - Documentation of the systematic cover-up attempts - Links between past racial violence and present-day issues What readers disliked: - Some found the back-and-forth timeline structure confusing - A few noted redundant passages and repetitive information - Several wanted more details about specific individuals involved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.41/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) "Reads like a detective story while never losing sight of the human tragedy," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader praised how it "makes the historical personal without sensationalizing."

Death in a Promised Land by Scott Ellsworth A historical investigation of the Tulsa Race Massacre from multiple perspectives through archival research and survivor testimonies.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson The chronicle of the Great Migration traces the journeys of three individuals who fled racial terror in the South for new lives in the North and West.

Sundown Towns by James Loewen A documentation of thousands of communities across America that systematically excluded Black residents through violence, laws, and intimidation.

The Burning by Tim Madigan A reconstruction of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre through survivor accounts, photographs, and previously unreleased documents.

Wilmington's Lie by David Zucchino The uncovering of the 1898 coup d'état in Wilmington, North Carolina, where white supremacists overthrew a biracial government and destroyed the Black community.

🔍 The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre remained largely hidden from history books until the 1970s, when Scott Ellsworth published his groundbreaking first book on the subject, "Death in a Promised Land." 🏛️ The Greenwood District, known as "Black Wall Street," was the wealthiest Black community in America before its destruction, home to numerous successful businesses, professionals, and even millionaires. ⚡ Within just 24 hours, the massacre resulted in the destruction of 35 city blocks, leaving an estimated 10,000 Black residents homeless and causing damage equivalent to over $32 million in today's currency. 🗂️ The research for "The Ground Breaking" uncovered evidence that local law enforcement had actively participated in the destruction, with some officials deputizing white civilians who then participated in the violence. 🏆 The book played a crucial role in the 2020 decision to excavate sites of suspected mass graves, leading to the discovery of remains and bringing closure to many families after nearly 100 years of uncertainty.