Before the Mayflower: A History of the Negro in America 1619 - 1964 (Revised Edition))

By Lerone Bennett Jr.

Book Overview

2018 Reprint of 1962 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition. Not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. Reprint of the first edition of this landmark title. The black experience in America--starting from its origins in western Africa up to 1961--is examined in this seminal study from a prominent African American figure. The entire historical timeline of African Americans is addressed, from the Colonial period through the civil rights upheavals of the late 1950s to 1961, the time of publication. " Before the Mayflower" grew out of a series of articles Bennett published in Ebony magazine regarding "the trials and triumphs of a group of Americans whose roots in the American soil are deeper than the roots of the Puritans who arrived on the celebrated Mayflower a year after a 'Dutch man of war' deposited twenty Negroes at Jamestown." Bennett's history is infused with a desire to set the record straight about black contributions to the Americas and about the powerful Africans of antiquity. While not a fresh history, it provides a solid synthesis of current historical research and a lively writing style that makes it accessible and engaging reading.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140208569
• ISBN13: 9780140208566
• Release Date: August 1970
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 435 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 1.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Black Heritage

This book was extremely enlightening and great reading. It captures the history of Black culture from the beginning of the slave trade to America and the significant contributions made by Blacks. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading, regardles of race, ethinic background, religion, or cultural beliefs.

one more time!

I read this about a decade ago. Incredible insights! Well written. I am reading it again, and have given it as a gift. I will buy as many as I can afford. It is one book that must be read, for a historical and spiritual perspective of African Americans.

Definitely an essential read for EVERY American!

While reading the February 1999 edition of American Legacy magazine, I came across an article titled "Essential Black Books: A Top-100 List". Of course, Before The Mayflower was on that list. I remembered ,as a child, that my father had this book in his collection and the effect it had on me as I merely skimmed the pages at that time. Now that I am grown, I cannot wait to experience this book again and to share it with my daughter.