Black History Month Books

Today Malcolm X can be seen everywhere from t-shirts to U.S. postage stamps. Most people have an opinion about him. But not nearly as many have heard/read his actual words. This collection of speeches is an excellent way to rectify that. This book takes the reader virtually to Malcolm's last words spoken in public two days before his [...].
The collection includes speeches, interviews, panel discussions, and gives the reader a rich and genuine undertanding of Malcolm X in his final days as a statesman and revolutionary leader.
His internationalist view comes through in "Not just an American problem, but a world problem " He defines the Black Muslim movement, and the critical importance of education and critical thinking. This is a must read.

An outstanding collection of speeches from the important last year of Malcolm's life. This is a must read for any student of U.S. history from any point of view. It will be most helpful to to those looking to change the status quo.

Well edited and indexed. Excellent photos. A well put together book.

Raul Gonzalez

This is the best book of Malcolms speeches from that last period in his life when he was most evolved. A must have!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone with an interest in Black History should read this book. Talk about an eloquent speaker!

This book is badly needed for people who are still stuck on the NOI days of malcolm. In 1964 on, he became a true sunni muslim and activist for the human rights of African Americans in the USA and the struggle for human rights abroad. This book surveys his last speeches and interviews in 1965. You will know who he evolved into and why we muslims call him the Shahid al Amrika the American Muslim Martyr.

I've picked up quite a few books on the first and second world war, and this is definitely one of the must reads. It is a great read (no worries this is history written at its finest). The book's focus makes it a great read to get into this period. To get some more context I would also recommand Dreadnought by Robert K Massie. It focusses on the entire complex history of the coming of the great war. But in any case, start with the guns of August!!

This book is probably the best I have read this year. The author's presentation of the story behind the first world war is absolutely fantastic. I could not put it down and finished it in less than three days.

Few of us have any real understanding of the events and personalities which pushed 1914 Europe into a war that should have been over in less than 6 weeks with a resultant German victory, but would instead grind on for years. In this her 3rd novel, Tuchman has done a monumental job of research and interpretation of the facts for the novice reader of military-political histories. She provides us a clear understanding of how the Kaiser and the Imperial German General Staff, contrived to build a case for war, developed a brilliant strategy to execute and win that war on two fronts [against the French and the Russians] and then to ultimately dominate the European continent. She introduces us to reluctant heroes like King Albert of Belgium and to weaker characters like Czar Nicholas of Russia. We are exposed to the brilliant German strategist Count Alfred Von Schlieffen who was the visionary for the incredibly bold and complex blueprint of military actions during the first 35-40 days of the Great War. Then she exposes flawed generals such as the indecisive Joffre of France and then the incompetent warriors like General Sir John French, of the British Expeditionary Forces. All in all... 'The Guns of August' [like Tuchman's 'Stillwell and the American Experience in China'] is a great read and a must have for the library of serious students of military-political history. One serious flaw however, is that this particular edition as produced by Tess Press, is overflowing with errors that even a novice proof-reader would have caught. They are so numerous as to be distracting and I would strongly recommend buying this great book only as published by a different printing house.

This was an informative book providing the history of black males and fatherhood throughout history from slavery to the present. An excellent description of the plight of fatherhood today, explaining to professionals, advocacy groups, and absent fathers of their role, which is needed in order to correct this situation. I have used material from "Black Fatherhood: Reconnecting With Our Legacy" in group discussion to drive the importance of males playing an active role in the lives of their children.

This volume is a collectible account of what black men have had to suffer through and a showcasing of the inner strength that it took for black men to still even be in existence in America. There are a lot of stereotypes that this volume exposes as myths; such as black men not playing the prominent role in the family during the hardest ages, and black men not being dedicated to their wives and children. The interviews with famous and not-so-famous black men from different eras in time are something special....All African-Americans should possess!!!!!!!!

Can you imagine being taken away from your mother father, sisters and brothers in the middle of the night by a stranger? Yesterday, you were free to run ,play ,jump ,laugh and sing with your friends, but now you are shackled by your arms and ankles. You cannot move on your own because you are chained to another child and that child is chained to another child. All of a sudden you are on this boat with hundreds of other men, women, children, and babies,riding endlessly in the dark of the night. You look up and you see someone weak, someone in pain, someone about to die. You are afraid but you cannot run you cannot hide. You hear voices of men and women screaming at the top of their lungs. These men and women who have just been beaten. Suddenly the ship comes to a stop. The men who forced everyone on the boat are now resting, resting from the long journey. They are not paying attention to the hundreds of slaves who they threw crumbs to, who they beat continuously on this passage this long dark middle passage. One by one mothers and fathers start walking and staring straight into the sea. Children are following them. It's as if they are all in a trance. They walk like tired soldiers into the water. One by one they go farther and farther away until you can't see them anymore. The blue sea becomes the sea full of ebony people who'd rather die than live a brutal life as a slave.

Can you imagine being taken away from your mother father, sisters and brothers in the middle of the night by a stranger? Yesterday, you were free to run ,play ,jump ,laugh and sing with your friends, but now you are shackled by your arms and ankles. You cannot move on your own because you are chained to another child and that child is chained to another child. All of a sudden you are on this boat with hundreds of other men, women, children, and babies,riding endlessly in the dark of the night. You look up and you see someone weak, someone in pain, someone about to die. You are afraid but you cannot run you cannot hide. You hear voices of men and women screaming at the top of their lungs. These men and women who have just been beaten. Suddenly the ship comes to a stop. The men who forced everyone on the boat are now resting, resting from the long journey. They are not paying attention to the hundreds of slaves who they threw crumbs to, who they beat continuously on this passage this long dark middle passage. One by one mothers and fathers start walking and staring straight into the sea. Children are following them. It's as if they are all in a trance. They walk like tired soldiers into the water. One by one they go farther and farther away until you can't see them anymore. The blue sea becomes the sea full of ebony people who'd rather die than live a brutal life as a slave.

I found this Black History material just in time to plan a program for the month of February. It's got a good mix of information to teach from and I don't have to search around, it's all right here. And it's from a company who understands what we need. I hope they keep this kind of material coming!

This is an outstanding book, the introduction by Lois Brown gives one a perfect feel for early 18th Century America during the abolitionist era in afro/american history. Susan Paul has contributed a great memoir on James Jackson who is an exemplary child/scholar. This is true American history,Lois Brown has raised the level African Ameican literature to a higher level with this book. If you truly want to be an educated reader - this book is a must, Once you start reading you can't stop and by the end of the book you will believe that your an scholar on as well on african-american history. A book that everyone should come to love and also spread the word on this magnificent piece of scholarly writing.

Deftly written by the talented author Virginia Hamilton (whose Children's Literature awards include the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Newberry Medal, and the Coretta Scott King Award), Time Pieces: The Book Of Times is an audiobook coming-of-age story for young people. An eleven-year-old African-American girl named Valena lives with her family in rural Ohio; as she deals with daily events, the threat of a tornado, the excitement of going to a circus, and the oppressive pallor of racism, she also listens to her mother's tales of her family's proud history. A remarkable story of the importance of family ties and taking pride in one's heritage, skillfully narrated by Lisa Renee Pitts. 3 CDs, unabridged, tracks every 3 minutes for easy bookmarking.

I read this book on my trip back home and I truly felt as if I was back in time. During the Carnival in Dominica, the characters in the book came alive to me so real.John did her job of pulling me into the history, the characters, the bourgeoise mentality, the Catholicism of the island. I never give away good books but I just had to share the wealth to another Antiguan-Dominican to enjoy the fire of who we are.

Marie-Elena graciously takes you inside the history and lives of the Dominican people. You will visit the island's original Carib people who discovered Columbus when he arrived in 1493. Yes, be careful because you may actually learn something by reading this novel. Don't worry. Marie-Elena weaves a wonderful tale that will also feed some of your thirst for sex and action, while simultaneously increasing your knowledge of Africa and the Caribbean. She explores the African heritage that has been preserved in the Caribbean for over a century through rituals and everyday life. She also touches on the similarities and divide that exist between Africans, Caribbeans, and African Americans here in America. Overall, Marie-Elena John has written a wonderful novel that entices and intrigues. It is a must read for this summer or anytime you want to take a trip to the beautiful island of Dominica.

I enjoyed the story a great deal. John is a very talented writer so full of rich detail. The story itself was a true page turner. However, about 2/3rd's of the way through the book the story started to fizzle and become a little tedious. So many events,past and present, were built up to a disappointing climax. I found myself rereading thinking I had missed something. For example, Lillian and all her childhood short comings at the Catholic ceremonies. Her twenty year cat and mouse attraction to Teddy that simply lead to repeated odd ruff house sex complete with band aids and bruises.

The "big revelation" ending fell a little flat. I really thought Teddy was going to hear something profound from Sylvie or Bird (Magistrat not Magic...Noir not Noah. OKAY...?)The ending let the reader draw somewhat of their own conclusion which I appreciate. I just wish Malitda, Iris and Lillian were not so disconnected. Never was there a conversation between any of them.

John wrote with a true love and understanding of the culture of these women. That was the book's greatest asset.

This book was a definite page turner. I found myself torn between wanting to know what was going to happen next to not wanting the book to end. (I literally dragged out the last few chapters for as long as I could). I liked how each chapter went back and forth from the past to the present until they caught up with each other and I loved the way the history of Dominica was weaved through out the book. The language was raw and honest. Marie-Elena John is a powerful new voice it the literary world and I cant wait to read her next book.

Wow. What a great novel! It's hard to believe it's fiction. The way the author ties in the characters, as well as the geographical and cultural references almost make this novel seem like a recap of Dominican oral histories. And to top it off, I learned sooo much from this book. I found myself constantly researching many of the references in the book: Maroons, Caribs, and Igbo cultures, the History of Ash Wednesday, Masquerades, Jacko's Flat, the boiling lake, etc....all things that I had no or limited knowledge about before reading this book. I highly recommend this book..truly honored to add it my book collection.

This story will go down in history - have the courage to read this book and pass it on.

RJS

This is a classic text that chronicles the degrading and dehumanizing process of intimidation of by a dictatorial regime embedded in repressive antics and deviously blood-thirsty. This book comes from the lived experience of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigeria's foremost environmentalist and literary writer. He, it was who led his Ogoni people to challenge the environmental degradation of their environment by the Anglo-Dutch Shell corporation through gas flaring, oil spillage and soil degeneration, and the exploiting gimmicks of a militarized centralist and thievery regime. In this work Saro-Wiwa, chronicles his role,in the evolution of the history of the struggles for relevance and records the methods of organization and mobilization of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP)into a vibrant, virulently vocal and highly feared movement. This work derived from the author's contact with the evil of human authority, hence it is a direct a product of his experiences with the malevolent human-evil-forces that were unlynched against him and the struggle. The expereinces reminisced here is just one of his many in the series of unwarranted detentions in the hand of the evil regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha in unkempt cells of the Nigerian security apparatus in different cities of Nigeria. On another occassion- the detention from which he smuggled this book out to be printed- he would not come out alive. He would be "judicially murdered" by the junta whose guns were brought by the sweat of humble and victimized tax-payers like Ken- representative of repressed Nigerians- and from the money derived from oil that springs from underneath his Niger-Delta homeland-including his Ogoni group. Ken did not leave out the Nigerian Police and their inhumanity- dogs who devour the flesh of other dogs- in fact they act like "vulture." A loaded term in Ogoni parlance! This work goes to show the plight of minorities within such colonial contraptions as the Nigerian nation state, under the dominating rule of a northern hegemony and a limited military clique in collaboration with their favor and fund-questing (fat-bellied) civilian cronies. This goes to further prove the fact that colonialism subjugated many ethnic groups under a contraption that was never dialogued nor radically sanctioned.Is it any surprise that Somali, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Sierra Leone have gone on ruptured by the thunders of machine guns! In this vein the book brings to the fore the problem of such political hypocrisy as such as the overtly caricatured Federalism which is practiced by the Nigerian government. In a way Ken Saro-Wiwa, credenced the fact that all ethnic nationalities must radically be allowed to shape their destiny and control their resources. Further, this book reveals the filthy environmental practices of the multinationals who without regards to safety measures and ecological ethics endanger the lives of people in the orgy for profit-making. Profit-making predominates in the psyche of the multinations in deterrence for the sanctity of the human life! Double business and ethical standards-one for Africa another for the West- in fact Ken calls this "environmental racism." This book is a resplendent classic, and it is essentially valuable for all those who want to educate themselves on one of the most forceful and feared Social, ethnic and environmental movements that has arisen in post-colonial Africa today. In fact, the book goes to show the courageous fights of minorities and social movements towards advocating and ensuring changes. Ken Saro-Wiwa its author was crudely exterminated with eight others on a farce of a trial- a militarized set-up tribunal of the despised tyrannt of Sani Abacha in 1995. Saro-Wiwa is dead but remains a living-dead, an ancestor of a sort for the many social movements that revolves around emphasizing rural development and sound environmental norms and sanctity for the community where companies are located that are emerging in Nigeria today, and it would not be an overstatement to add Africa. His ideas and views radiates and takes on flesh in this little book. Buy one today, read and digest it and realize what a portent book it is, and know why the author was most few by a modern day dictator, who feared men and women of ideas than he feared the men and women who hold the guns! Happy reading! Bon voyage!

The more I read this book, the more I understood how important it was for the erstwhile military junta of the time to eliminate Dr. Kenure SAro-Wiwa. This book is a blinding shot in the eye for anyone who was in one way or the other called out for acts the author painstakingly makes the reader to personify. It delves into all manners of "human's inhuman to human," if I dare call it so. Read this, especially if you wish to know the state of the current Africa, using Nigeria as a backdrop, in relation to the rest of the world.

This book is a wonderful collection of some of the most important speeches given my African American in this country. I enjoy the reading the words of so many leaders from Brooker T. Washington to Julian Bond. Please consider reading these speeches as a way to understand the African American history.

Ellis and Smith provide a unique anthology of African American voices over the past 100 years. In doing so, they give voice to the voiceless with transcribed speeches of leading African American speakers of the twentieth century. For an "as if you were there" read, "Say It Plain" is a five-star choice.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.