As the civil rights struggle heats up in Texas, two families—one white, one black—find common ground.
This semi-autobiographical tale is set in 1967 Texas, against the backdrop of the fight for civil rights. A white family from a notoriously racist neighborhood in the suburbs and a black family from its poorest ward cross Houston’s color line, overcoming humiliation, degradation, and violence to win the freedom of five black college students unjustly charged with the murder of a policeman.
The Silence of Our Friends follows events through the point of view of young Mark Long, whose father is a reporter covering the story. Semi-fictionalized, this story has its roots solidly in very real events. With art from the brilliant Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole) bringing the tale to heart-wrenching life, The Silence of Our Friends is a new and important entry in the body of civil rights literature.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
…fantastic from beginning to the very end…
GOOD BOOKS AND GOOD WINE
…one of the best graphic novels of the year, perhaps even one of the best books of the year.
MUSINGS OF A LIBRARIAN
[This] civil rights graphic novel already seems to have ‘Eisner nomination’ written down the side.
BLEEDING COOL
first second books
First Second Books publishes high quality graphic novels for everyone. Committed to excellence in storytelling, in artwork, and in production First Second publishes books of lasting value, books that stay in your heart and mind, and on your bookshelf.
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the silence of our friends
isbn 978-1-59643-618-3
trade paperback
$16.99 us / $18.99 can
BOOK TOUR DATES
Fri 2/3: SEATTLE WA—Book Release Party & Artwork Exhibition @ Roq La Rue Gallery (2312 2nd Ave.), 6-8 pm. Food! Drinks! Books! Pages!
Sat 2/4: KIRKLAND WA – Discussion @ Kirkland Public Library (308 Kirkland Ave.), 2-3:30 pm. (Mark & Jim only)
Sat 2/4: SEATTLE WA – Discussion & Signing @ Fantagraphics Books (1202 S. Vale St.), 6-8 pm. (Mark & Jim only)
Wed 2/8: SEATTLE WA – Discussion & Signing @ Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave.), 7-9 pm. (Mark & Jim only)
Thurs 2/9: LAKE FOREST PARK WA – Discussion & Signing @ Third Place Books (17171 Bothell Way NE), 7-9 pm. (Mark & Jim only)
Fri 2/10: SAN FRANCISCO CA – Discussion, Signing, & Art Exhibit @ Mission Comics And Art (3520 20th St.), 7-9 pm.
Sat 2/11: SAN FRANCISCO CA – Discussion & Signing @ SFPL Anza Branch (550 37th Ave.), 2:30-4 pm.
Sun 2/12: SAN FRANCISCO CA – Discussion & Signing @ Cartoon Art Museum (655 Mission St.), 1-3pm.
Mon 2/13: PETALUMA CA – Discussion & Signing @ Copperfield’s Books (140 Kentucky St.), 4-6pm.
Wed 2/15: HOUSTON TX – Panel Discussion @ TSU (location TBC), 6:30-8 pm. (Mark only)
Thurs 2/16: HOUSTON TX – Discussion @ Rice University (Sewall Hall 301; 6100 Main St.), 4:30-6 pm. (Mark only)
Thurs 2/16: HOUSTON TX – Discussion & Signing @ Brazos Books (2421 Bissonnet St.), 7-9pm. (Mark only)
Fri 2/17: AUSTIN TX – Discussion & Signing @ Domy Books (913 E. Cesar Chavez), 7-8 pm. (Mark only)
Sun 2/19: AUSTIN TX – Discussion, Signing, & Reception @ Guzu Gallery (5000 N. Lamar Blvd.), 7-10 pm. (Mark only)
Mon 2/20: AUSTIN TX – Signing @ Book People (603 N. Lamar Blvd.), 2:30 pm.
Tue 2/21: AUSTIN TX – Discussion @ UT Austin (Joynes Reading Room, Carothers Hall 007, 2501 Whitis Ave.), time TBC. (Mark only)
Wed 2/22: WASHINGTON DC – Discussion & Signing @ Watha T. Daniel Shaw Library (1630 7th St. NW), 7-9pm. (Nate only)
Thur 2/23: TAKOMA PARK MD – Discussion & Signing @ Takoma Park Public Library (101 Philadelphia Ave.), 7-9pm. (Nate only)
Sat 2/25: WASHINGTON DC – Discussion & Signing @ Politics & Prose (50515 Connecticut Ave. NW), 1-3 pm. (Nate only)
Sat 2/25: SILVER SPRING MD – Discussion & Signing @ Wheaton Library (11701 Georgia Ave.), 4-6 pm. (Nate only)
