Plot summary, “Imperium in Imperio” by Sutton E. Griggs in 9 Minutes - Book Review

"Imperium in Imperio" is a novel written by Sutton E. Griggs and first published in 1899. The book is set in the United States in the late 19th century and explores themes of race, politics, and power. The novel tells the story of a secret society called the "Imperium in Imperio" (Latin for "Empire within an Empire") which is made up of African Americans who seek to establish a separate and independent state within the United States. The story follows the lives of two childhood friends, Bernard Belgrave and Belton Piedmont, who become members of the society and become divided over the best way to achieve their goals. The book offers a powerful critique of racism and inequality in American society, and explores the tensions between assimilation and separatism among African Americans in the late 19th century. The novel was a groundbreaking work of African American literature and remains a classic of the genre, inspiring later works by writers such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Ralph Ellison.