Essays · Memoir · Politics and government
Between the World and Me
Written as a letter to his teenage son, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on growing up in Baltimore and what it means to live in a Black body in America. He examines fear, history and the loss of friends to violence.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2015
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 337
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a personal, lyrical essay on race in America.
Skip this if you prefer policy-focused argument over personal and poetic reflection.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Between the World and Me
- What is Between the World and Me about?
- Written as a letter to his teenage son, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on growing up in Baltimore and what it means to live in a Black body in America. He examines fear, history and the loss of friends to violence.
- Who should read Between the World and Me?
- Read it if you want a personal, lyrical essay on race in America. Skip it if you prefer policy-focused argument over personal and poetic reflection.
- How long and how fast is Between the World and Me?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 337 pages, first published in 2015.
- Does Between the World and Me have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Racism, Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Between the World and Me for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Between the World and Me; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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