“Deeply researched, well informed, and clearly written. . . . A premier case study of race and education in the 1980s and 1990s.” — The Journal of Southern History
“A meticulous, well-documented political history of school desegregation in the Kansas City Missouri School District. . . . I applaud him for the richness of detail in the history and politics of this tragic folly and his courage in characterizing the events and individuals. He does not pull any punches.” — Political Science Quarterly
“A premier case study of race and education in the 1980s and 1990s.” — Journal of Southern History
“A nicely written volume about a lesser-known case.” — CHOICE
“Enlightening. . . . A highly informative and readable book that nicely blends legal and policy analysis. Complex Justice provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the historical, political, and social issues involved in Missouri v. Jenkins.” — Law & Politics Review
“A masterly job of bringing this complex case to life. . . . Dunn’s refusal to finger a convenient scapegoat forces the reader to confront a number of the disconcerting dilemmas of school desegregation.” — Claremont Review of Books
“Joshua Dunn provides a penetrating and fascinating analysis of the Kansas City school desegregation decision. I thought I knew a lot about it before reading this book, but I learned much of interest here. Dunn’s discussion of the shifting views of local African Americans is particularly illuminating.” — Stephan Thernstrom, Harvard University
“The case of Missouri v. Jenkins is notable because of the exceptionally broad remedy ordered by the federal courts and the vast sums poured into the school district as a result of the lawsuit. It is also notable because of the disappointingly limited results achieved in terms of either meaningful desegregation or improved academic achievement for the intended beneficiaries of the massive legal effort. Dunn tells this ironic tale well and places the events in legal and political context. Complex Justice will prove highly useful to readers in law, legal studies, public policy, and political science.” — David I. Levine, Hastings College of the Law, University of California
