Wright Thompson is one of the best sports writers in America. He also doesn’t stick to sports. While he’s best known for his work with ESPN, he has a new book about one of the most horrific moments in the history of his home state. The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi is about the death of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955. The killing of Till became a national news story that sparked the Civil Rights movement. Thompson’s book adds additional context to a homicide that occurred just 23 miles from the Thompson family farm.
We recently caught up with Thompson to ask him about tackling this subject. Thompson is a bestselling author whose previous works include Pappyland and The Cost of These Dreams. The Barn is available for purchase at several retailers and Penguin Random House.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
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