Blood at the root a racial cleansing in america patrick phillips on amazoncom free shipping on qualifying offers a gripping tale of racial cleansing in forsyth county georgia and a harrowing testament to the deep roots of racial violence in america forsyth county. Blood at the root a racial cleansing in america by patrick phillips is a 2016 ww norton company publication this is a shocking historical account of the true events that took place in cummings georgia in forsyth county beginning in 1912 when three black men were accused of murdering a white woman. The makings of a sundown town patrick phillips on blood at the root with blood at the root national book award finalist patrick phillips has laid bare the history of an american tragedy over a century old that speaks volumes to the wounds and prejudices that still divide communities across the nation. Blood at the root a racial cleansing in america is a 2016 non fiction book written by patrick phillips investigating the 1912 racial conflict of forsyth county georgia overview in forsyth county georgia september 1912 three young black laborers were accused of murdering and raping a white girl. Phillips is a gifted storyteller and blood at the root is an impressive and timely case study of racial violence and historical amnesia the boston globe blood at the root meticulously and elegantly reveals the power of white supremacy to destroy not only lives and accomplishments but historical memory