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archytas's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Conceptually, this is a great idea - 80 essays, one tackling each five year period from 1619 to 2019, each written by a leading African-American historian, with each 40 year block followed by a poem inspired by the history. In practice, it's pretty idiosyncratic. Each historian is given just a couple of pages, meaning most choose to focus on a single theme. Most choose a theme, and rather than pack much information in, reflect on its significance (a notable exception is Penial Joseph who takes us on a hilariously breakneck tour of 1964-1969 in three pages...). This does make for a patchier read, and leaves some notable gaps (WWI, Tulsa riots). Many take important time to connect the themes to the current day, which works less well when reading several in short succession. I have read book length treatments on their topics from some of the featured authors, including angela DAvis, Crystal Feimster and Isobel Wilkerson, making little in the essay new. There are some great reflective pieces on individuals, including Derrick Aldridge on Booker T. Washington; Annette Gordon-Read on Sally Hemmings, William Barber II on David George and Alexis Pauline Gumbs on Phyllis Wheatley. Others that stood out included Sylviane Dalouf on Maroonage, Carig Steven Wilder on Higher Education and Wesley Lowery on the Stono Rebellion, While easy to read, the volume taught me less new material than I hoped (with some notable exceptions, including an excellent essay on Salamishah Tillett on Anita HIll's fight, Ijeoma Ilulu on early 17th Century interracial relationships, Barbara Smith on the Combahee River Collective, and a great reflection on Plessy vs Ferguson by Blair L. M. Kelly ). The poetry works beautifully however.
I suspect this compendium will work best as a dip and out volume for history teachers. And it certainly works as a testament to both the twisting, resliant nature of white supremacy and the incredible survival and ferocity of Black people.
I suspect this compendium will work best as a dip and out volume for history teachers. And it certainly works as a testament to both the twisting, resliant nature of white supremacy and the incredible survival and ferocity of Black people.
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
5.0
Really excellent compilation of 80 essayists, each taking 5 years of the 400 year period from 1619-2019 in African-American history. I'm ashamed to say that many of the stories were new to me and many were painful to hear, but all were riveting.
Loved this on audio.
Loved this on audio.
islandkate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This was an informative, moving, challenging collection of essays on the history of Black America. Some things I had learned in school or through my own reading, but there were so many accounts of events and people I had never heard of. I listened to the audiobook and loved how each author read their contribution. I appreciated this the most with the 10 poems that ended each section. A true community history.
danireadsthings's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
merri217's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
omg__gigi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Four hundred years of untold history of African Americans. I enjoyed how different authors wrote the book. Many of whom work I genuinely love. The authors were able to provide enough details in 3-4 pages. Many of them had me wanting more and doing my research. Overall, this book is the history class I never had in school!
friendly's review against another edition
4.0
The format wasn't my style, but I loved the comprehensive approach - it gave weight to four hundred years to give each five year period its own time. I also enjoyed the diversity of authors and perspectives, and their unique chosen subjects of focus.
bookward's review against another edition
Not right now. Find it hard to follow the different voices of each chapter. A lot of repetition.