About the book
Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi \"King\" Tremain, caught up in his family's ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains' fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana.
King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma.
King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.
Editions of Standing at the Scratch Line
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780375501586
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780375756672
- EBook
- ISBN 9780375506567
Read an Excerpt
Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi \"King\" Tremain, caught up in his family's ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains' fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana.
King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma.
King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Standing at the Scratch Line about?
Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi \"King\" Tremain, caught up in his family's ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains' fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana.
King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma.
King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Standing at the Scratch Line?
Fiction > Family saga / generational saga fiction
Where can I read a sample of Standing at the Scratch Line?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780375501586
Is Standing at the Scratch Line part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Strivers Row
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Standing at the Scratch Line?
Guy Johnson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Standing at the Scratch Line is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780375501586) and paperback(ISBN 9780375756672) and ebook(ISBN 9780375506567)
Where can I buy Standing at the Scratch Line online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Standing at the Scratch Line from below
Where can I buy Standing at the Scratch Line?