Break the Wheel, Keith Ellison
Break the Wheel, Keith Ellison
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

Break the Wheel
Ending the Cycle of Police Violence

Author: Keith Ellison, Philonise Floyd

Narrator: Keith Ellison, Willis Williams

Unabridged: 9 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Twelve

Published: 05/23/2023


Synopsis

“An unforgettable reading experience.”―Eric Holder

With this powerful and intimate trial diary, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison asks the key question: How do we break the wheel of police violence and finally make it stop?

The murder of George Floyd sparked global outrage. At the center of the conflict and the controversy, Keith Ellison grappled with the means of bringing justice for Floyd and his family. Now, in this riveting account of the Derek Chauvin trial, Ellison takes the reader down the path his prosecutors took, offering different breakthroughs and revelations for a defining, generational moment of racial reckoning and social justice understanding.
 
Each chapter of BREAK THE WHEEL goes spoke to spoke along the wheel of the system as Ellison examines the roles of prosecutors, defendants, heads of police unions, judges, activists, legislators, politicians, and media figures, each in his attempt to end this chain of violence and replace it with empathy and shared insight.
 
Ellison’s analysis of George Floyd’s life and the rich trial context he provides demonstrates that, while it may seem like an unattainable goal, lasting change and justice can be achieved.

Reviews

Goodreads review by David on July 30, 2023

This book gave a first-hand account of the George Floyd trial in which four Minneapolis policemen were found guilty in the death of a black man. The author was and is the attorney general of Minnesota and was asked to prosecute the case by the governor. The author gives the reader great insight in al......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth on October 09, 2023

Breaking the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence by Keith Ellison is an amazing read. I know the details of the death of George Floyd. Yet, Ellison provides much of the background on why it is hard to hold police accountable. The fact that there were bystanders, some of who filmed the inciden......more

Goodreads review by Mark on February 13, 2024

Break The Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence, by Keith Ellison, 2023. The prosecution and conviction of Derek Chauvin and three other Minneapolis police officers for the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day 2020 represents a historic event in the work for racial justice – for justice, peri......more

Goodreads review by MARK on July 04, 2023

Having lived in Minnesota for 64 years of my life but no longer reside there now(or at the time of the George Floyd tragedy), I was interested in seeing what Ellison had to say about the entire trial preparation and trial process as I am a retired trial attorney who practiced law in the Twin Cities......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on July 27, 2023

I read this because the title and the marketing language on it said it is about "Ending the Cycle of Police Violence." The book IS a diary of the trial of Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, taking us from the original incident step by step through the end of the trial, from the point of v......more


Quotes

“An intimate account of a truly consequential courtroom confrontation, in BREAK THE WHEEL, Keith Ellison has written a searing, compelling tale of the struggle for justice. Ellison reminds us well how the death of George Floyd will not—must not—be forgotten and how that tragic death has truly made a difference in our legal system. BREAK THE WHEEL is an unforgettable reading experience.”—Eric Holder, former U.S. attorney general

“Despite what we all know about the torture and murder of George Floyd, the story of the Herculean legal effort to bring the officers who killed Floyd to justice has never been told—until now. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison takes us through the compelling story of the painstaking, extraordinary effort he led to prosecute the officers who committed the most infamous racial murder by police in the history of our country.”—Sherrilyn Ifill, former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

"BREAK THE WHEEL is a compelling tale of standing up for George Floyd. Keith Ellison has produced an engaging, anecdote-laden account that leaves the reader with an increased respect for his pursuit of justice and life in the law."—Ben Crump, civil rights attorney

“Keith Ellison has written a complete and courageous account of the trial of Derek Chauvin. Without Ellison’s diligence, Chauvin might have walked free. BREAK THE WHEEL engages all stakeholders in a bold and honest conversation.”—Van Jones, CNN host

“Keith Ellison writes with rare depth, political insight, and true understanding of courtroom drama that comes from being, himself, and outstanding trial lawyer. BREAK THE WHEEL is a riveting and exceptionally frank account of the challenges he faced— and the hard work it took—to bring justice for George Floyd while the whole world was watching.”—Barry Scheck, director, The Innocence Project

“Keith Ellison’s book is the definitive work on the George Floyd murder trial. As one of his special prosecutors in the case, I saw everything firsthand and cannot imagine a more gripping and incisive account of this historic trial. It’s truly must-read.”—Neal Katyal, former U.S. deputy solicitor general

"A vital contribution not just to the literature of the Floyd trial, but to that of police reform generally."—Kirkus Review