A terrific portrayal at the stress and difficulty light skinned black Americans lived in when passing as white around the turn of the century, let alone the story itself of what Belle de Costa Greene accomplished. I can’t imagine the intense tension passing black people lived in when trying to simply have better and more opportunities only afforded to white people but also not abandon their heritage and families who do not pass, and not reject the concept of being proud of who you are.

Very well written and a great look at Belle de Costa Green’s life and the amazing things she accomplished as both a woman and an African American despite what both aspects of her life could have stopped her from achieving as JP Morgan’s librarian and art collector.