I read this book directly after reading Coates' essay "A Case for Reparations" and the two complimented each other very well. They place around the same theme- the extreme strength of racism in the US and how is destroys the livelyhoods and lives of black Americans at an astonishing rate. This book is much more personal than the essay though. It is framed as a letter from the author to his son, and chronicles his intellectual journey in questioning race and racism. It was a very timely read in light of the recent election, and I highly recommend it.