Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War

By Howard W. French

Book Overview

In a sweeping narrative that traverses 600 years, one that eloquently weaves precise historical detail with poignant personal reportage, Pulitzer Prize finalist Howard W. French retells the story of medieval and emerging Africa, demonstrating how the economic ascendancy of Europe, the anchoring of democracy in America, and the fulfillment of so-called Enlightenment ideals all grew out of Europe's dehumanizing engagement with the "darkest" continent.

Born in Blackness dramatically retrieves the lives of major African historical figures whose stories have been repeatedly etiolated and erased over centuries, from unimaginably rich medieval African emperors who traded with Asia; to Kongo sovereigns who heroically battled seventeenth-century European powers; to ex-slaves who liberated Haitians from bondage. In doing so, French tells the story of gold, tobacco, sugar, and cotton--and the greatest "commodity" of all, the millions of people brought in chains from Africa to the New World, whose reclaimed histories fundamentally help explain our present world.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1631495828
• ISBN13: 9781631495823
• Release Date: October 2021
• Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Vital Study for all Americans, certainly a fitting complement to studying development of the New W

An excellent companion study for the AP African American study curriculum, and a must for the study of American History. French not only address questions likely raised in earlier historical studies, but offers greater insights as well as research filling gaps in historical accounts. A somewhat challenging read but I consider necessary in order to expand one’s own understanding. However, French came short on delivering up to the era of world war 2. I would hope that he continues to work on making good that delivery.