Devil in the Grove | Part 1

In this opening session of our book club podcast, Bill Waddell leads a thoughtful discussion of The Devil in the Grove, focusing on the book’s historical foundations and its continued relevance today. As the group begins with Chapters 1–6, the conversation explores key themes raised in the book, including the role of lawyers in moments of racial injustice, the moral demands of advocacy, and the social context in which civil rights struggles unfold. The discussion also considers how the book (written before the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement) reads differently in light of more recent developments, including renewed debate and resistance around civil rights. Drawing on historical parallels, literary context, and personal reflection, this episode sets the stage for a deeper, multi-session conversation about why these stories still matter and what they ask of lawyers and citizens today. Guest Name:   William “Bill” Waddell; Judge Joyce Williams Warren; Abby Brenneman; and Jonathan WarrenPodcast Pre-Roll Post - Roll