By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Lauren Collins's "They Stole a City" is an audacious and meticulously researched exposé that drags into the glaring light one of America's most egregiously overlooked atrocities: the 1898 white supremacist coup in Wilmington, North Carolina. Collins, a staff writer for The New Yorker and a Wilmington native, embarks on an exhaustive journey to unearth the harrowing events of that fateful November, when a mob of white supremacists violently overthrew a legitimately elected, multiracial government, committing mass murder and expelling Black citizens in a calculated act of racial terrorism.

The book's structure is both ambitious and effective, weaving together the narratives of four families—the Howes, the Halseys, the Moores, and the Bellamy/MacRaes—whose lives were irrevocably altered by the coup. Through these personal histories, Collins paints a vivid tableau of the socio-political landscape of Wilmington before, during, and after the massacre. This multigenerational approach not only humanizes the historical account but also underscores the enduring legacy of systemic racism and its insidious impact on successive generations.

Collins's prose is both incisive and evocative, capturing the reader's attention with a narrative that is as compelling as it is horrifying. She does not shy away from the brutal realities of the massacre, detailing the premeditated violence that saw white supremacists, armed with a machine gun, slaughter Black civilians and seize control of the city. The Cape Fear River running red with blood is a haunting image that Collins employs to convey the sheer scale of the atrocity.

Critics have lauded the book for its unflinching examination of structural racism. Kirkus Reviews describes it as "an urgent work of reportage and historical research that lays bare structural racism past and present." ([kirkusreviews.com](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lauren-collins/they-stole-a-city/?utm_source=openai)) Library Journal echoes this sentiment, calling it "shocking and critically important" and deeming it "essential reading for all academic and public libraries." ([bookbrowse.com](https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/24416/they-stole-a-city?utm_source=openai))

However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers have noted that Collins's narrative occasionally veers into contemporary political commentary, which, while relevant, can feel tangential to the historical account. For instance, a chapter dedicated entirely to the January 6th riot in Washington, D.C., has been criticized for lacking direct ties to Wilmington and its people, potentially distracting from the book's central thesis. ([goodreads.com](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242716353-they-stole-a-city?utm_source=openai))

Despite this, "They Stole a City" stands as a monumental work that confronts a dark chapter of American history with the rigor and sensitivity it demands. Collins's dedication to uncovering the truth and giving voice to those silenced by history is both commendable and necessary. This book is not just a recounting of past events; it is a clarion call to acknowledge and address the enduring legacies of racial injustice that continue to plague our society.

In conclusion, "They Stole a City" is a profoundly important work that should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the depths of America's racial history and the persistent shadows it casts on the present. While it may challenge readers with its unvarnished truths and occasional forays into contemporary politics, the book's overall contribution to historical discourse is undeniable.

Recommendation: Highly recommended!

written on: 7/23/2026