Sweeping work of narrative nonfiction: A triple hitter in the categories that TNP publishes well: racial justice/segregation, economic inequality, and legal studies.

Well-suited Platform: Lanahan's radio series "The Lines Between Us" won Columbia University's DuPont Award for public interest journalism and he participated--along with several high-profile journalists including Maria Hinajosa, and Michelle Norris--in The Aspen Institute's 3 day forum on Race, Journalism, and Society

Strong credentials and media connections: Author writes with dazzling authority on Baltimore as a longtime resident, sociologist, and reporter with deep connections to regional print, radio, and online media. Building on his extensive public radio ties, he is working to organize radio and events in several cities that would pull in local players to tailor the conversations for each local market.

Supported by philanthropic and strategic initiatives: The original radio series was backed by high-profile foundations (Baltimore Community Foundation, Ethics & Excellence Journalism Foundation, Open Society Foundation) and this book is partially underwritten by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, who will be a key partner in getting out word of the book to their expansive networks.