Autobiography of a People: Three Centuries of African American History Told by Those Who Lived It

Jacket Description/Flap: Benjamin Banneker on Thomas Jefferson's hypocrisy * Old Elizabeth on spreading the Word * Frederick Douglass on life in the North * Sojourner Truth on black women's rights * W. E. B. Du Bois on the Talented Tenth * Matthew Henson on reaching the North Pole * and many more. "It has been said, 'He who does not know history is doomed to repeat it.' We as African Americans must put forth a concerted effort to know and to write our own history... We have the knowledge, the know-how, the resources, and we were there."--Rev. Bernice A. King Celebrating the spirituality, courage, and intellectual achievements of African Americans, Autobiography of a People is the first anthology to effectively trace the history of the African American experience--from the Middle Passage to Emancipation, from the Civil War to Vietnam, from the Little Rock Nine to the Million Man March--by telling the story in the words of the men and women who lived it. Editor Herb Boyd has combined a powerful chorus of voices from the past and present to create a compelling portrait of how African Americans have survived--and shaped--some of the most important events in United States history. The misery of slavery, the bloodshed of war, and the struggle for civil rights are just some of the pivotal experiences described in vivid detail throughout the book. Many of the most revered historical and intellectual figures, writers, religious leaders, and activists appear within these pages, such as Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Elaine Brown, Margaret Walker, and General Colin Powell. Yet this remarkable collection also includes riveting scenes from the lives of ordinarymen and women whose accomplishments may not have been recorded in the history books, but whose experiences are equally important to the African American story. Offering a wealth of historical detail and emotion, Autobiography of a People is a stunning accomplishment that brings African American history to life, in all its tragedy and triumph, in a brilliant testament to the black experience in America. The book boasts an astounding roster of important historical and intellectual figures, writers and religious leaders, such as Phyllis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., General Colin Powell, and Angela Davis, as well as a generous selection of riveting accounts from ordinary people. The misery of slavery, the bloodshed of several American wars, and the struggle for civil rights are just some of the pivotal experiences described in vivid detail throughout the book. Linked by editor Herb Boyd's informative narrative bridges, these powerful voices from the past and present combine to create a compelling portrait of how African Americans have survived-- and shaped--some of the most important events in U. S. history. A monumental achievement, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PEOPLE brings African-American history to life in all its tragedy and triumph, in a brilliant testament to the black experience in America. --> "From the Hardcover edition. Review Quotes: "A book of historical truth spoken loud and clear, as none of us have ever quite heard it before."-"Black Issues Book Review ""A superbly crafted collection."-"QBR ""An original and triumphant collection of first-person narratives from autobiographies, memoirs, journal writings, correspondence, and slave narratives... The number of selections makes for an impressive and eclectic chorus."-"Library Journal"Biographical Note: Herb Boyd is the coeditor with Robert Allen of" Brotherman--The Odyssey of Black Men in America" and the author of Down the Glory Roa"d "and "Black Panthers for Beginners." An award-winning journalist, his articles have appeared in the "Amsterdam News, Black Scholar, Code, Down Beat, Emerge, Metro Times" (Detroit), and "The Source." He is the national editor of "The Black World Today," an online publication, and he teaches at the College of New Rochelle and New York University. Publisher Marketing: "Autobiography of a People" is an insightfully assembled anthology of eyewitness accounts that traces the history of the African American experience. From the Middle Passage to the Million Man March, editor Herb Boyd has culled a diverse range of voices, both famous and ordinary, to creat a unique and compelling historical portrait: Benjamin Banneker on Thomas JeffersonOld Elizabeth on spreading the Word Frederick Douglass on life in the North W. E. B. Du Bois on the Talented Tenth Matthew Henson on reaching the North Pole Harriot Jacobs on running awayJames Cameron on escaping a mob lynichingAlvin Ailey on the world of danceLangston Hughes on the Harlem Renaissance Curtis Morriw on the Korean WarMax ROach on "jazz" as a four-letter wordLL Cool J on rapMary Church Terrell on the Chicago World's FairRev. Bernice King on the future of Black America And many others. Review Citations:

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2002 pg. 62 (EAN 9780385492799, Paperback)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2007 pg. 89 (EAN 9780385492799, Paperback)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 103 (EAN 9780385492799, Paperback)

Library Journal 11/01/1999 pg. 106 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 12/13/1999 pg. 78 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Booklist 12/15/1999 pg. 763 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Booklist 01/01/2000 pg. 866 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Library Journal 01/01/2000 pg. 130 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Black Issues Book Review 05/01/2000 pg. 33 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2000 pg. 11 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2000 pg. 39 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2000 pg. 18 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2002 pg. 62 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2007 pg. 89 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 103 (EAN 9780385492782, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Boyd, Herb Herb Boyd is an activist, journalist, author, and teacher. His articles have appeared in such publications as the Amsterdam News, the Final Call, Essence, and the Network Journal. In 1995, with co-editor Robert Allen, Boyd received the American Book Award for Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men in America. A noted authority on black studies, he is the author of We Shall Overcome and has been teaching African and African American history for nearly forty years. He teaches at the College of New Rochelle and lives in New York. Contributor Bio:  Parks, Gordon, Jr < p> GORDON PARKS is the author of numerous books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and photography, including < i> The Learning Tree< /i> and < i> A Choice of Weapons< /i> . He is the recipient of a plethora of honorary degrees and awards, including the National Medal of Art. He is also a film director and composer, and wrote the music and libretto for< i> Martin, < /i> a ballet honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.< /p>