No More Lies: The Myth and Reality of American History

by Dick Gregory

Republished as part of Amistad’s Literary Revival Program, the groundbreaking, bestselling look at history from the perspective of African Americans: an essential classic that continues to speak to us today, written by the voice of black consciousness, Dick Gregory—the incomparable satirist, human rights and environmental activist, health advocate, social justice champion, and NAACP Image Award–winning author.

In 1972, during the Black Power Movement, iconoclast Dick Gregory challenged one of the foundations of America itself—its history, which had been written almost exclusively from the white male perspective. In No More Lies, this true trailblazer gave voice to African Americans, speaking their truth about the past and race relations in the United States.

No More Lies offers this incomparable satirist’s intellectual, conspiratorial, and humorous spin on the facts. No subject is off limits from his critical eye—Gregory examines numerous aspects of culture and history, from the slave trade, police brutality, the wretchedness of working-class life and labor unions to the 1968 Civil Rights Act, the Founding Fathers, “happy slaves,” and entrepreneurs. 

Although this absorbing book is more than forty years old, its provocative truths continue to reverberate in our lives today. With No More Lies, Gregory inspire a new generation to connect what is happening today with what has happened in the past.  

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Race, Audiobook

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Richard "Dick" Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, motivational speaker, author and actor. He became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences.

Reviews

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

my only reget is that i can't give this book 6 stars

[MsBrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent novel that tells history like it really was. This is probably the first book I read that was educational. Dick Gregory is a black comedian who makes reading fun. Seriously, I would never have finished this book (and learned all about American history) if it weren’t for Gregory’s humor. Recommended for anyone who never plans on taking a history class.

[Matthew]

Dick Gregory takes on the specter of "America the Historic Reality," as distinguished from "America the Ideal," exemplified by our founding documents.

Using the opening example of his own reading of the Declaration of Independence as a school child, Gregory's work stands as a form of moral protest; the shouts of a PATRIOT taking to task his nation for falling short of those documented ideals. The sometimes large gap between our high ideals of freedom, opportunity, and democracy are cited repeatedly, stating in each chapter the fact that "we are not yet that nation we claim ourselves to be".

Covering topics from the earliest pilgrims, through major chapters of our history, and through large history-spanning topics (poverty, etc.), Gregory acts as iconoclast and presenter of actual history, not white washed (no pun intended) by others unwilling to speak true to history.

Frankly, historian James Loewen covers this ground much better in his "Lies My Teacher Told Me," but that book post-dates Gregory's work by roughly 2 decades, so this can hardly be a fault. However, Gregory's frequent colloquialisms and bitter tone does distract from the moral high ground he truly holds on each of the topics cited.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading what some might consider "period pieces" to see what was going on then and compare it to now. Especially illuminating are books about civil rights struggles and radical fights against oppression. Comparing the literature of the time with the reality of now often gives lie to the idea that "things are better" or "racism is a thing of the past."

[Barbara Paciotti]

This book opened my eyes & changed my life. A must-read for anyone wanting the truths of American History.

[Jimmy Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorous about serious issues in early 70's America. No vitriol. Today's writers could learn something about effectiveness from this Twain-Mencken-Lippmann styled observer.

[JTGlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Finally finished this after setting it aside to get through summer reading.
He makes many valid points. It is at times remarkably timely and then very dated (to 1969). He lost me in the last 100 pages with the overt sexism (choosing a woman who is a whore only on weekends or 7 days a week as a metaphor for voting choices) he argues that's no choice at all and tells people not to vote.
Use of the n word.

38 solid point about black folks not hating individual white folks and adds white folks are responsible for the system because it is theirs
56 The Pretty Colored Snake story
61 if aliens came to earth and had to decide who was 'savage'
82 Uncle Sam looking for another Indian
101 Crispus Attucks and the Boston massacre
192 American's violent mentality and guns
202 List of Congress's actions, use of n word
250 typo except for expect
265 America and guns, buy bigger ones because she will need them
310 whore metaphor
335 claim about winds from west to east and how that would have been the spread of "Asian" flu

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was amazing to read in the 1970s - a great take on history emphasizing facts most of us had never heard about in those days. I'm not sure whether it would seem dated now. And I may never know - I think it's out of print and I lent my copy to an adjunct history professor who moved away without returning it! :-)

[Dray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're into non fiction, straight up historical facts, truths and no sugar coating on our history this is a great book. To think this book was published in 1972 yet sadly some of the ugly truths in this book still ring true today. I encourage everyone to read and engore your minds with facts, learn something from this book and then spread proper awareness,

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent and biting takedown of foundational american myths - if only it were not still so relevant.

[Carl Palmateer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting a little dated.

[katie d’amico · Rating 4 out of 5]

very eye-opening regarding the all of the history that i’ve learned wrong or not at all.. definitely a must read for everyone.

[Nicholas Leazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to stop several times while reading and remind myself this book was written 50 years ago. We're still fighting so many of the struggles described in this book. But it inspired me to keep going.

[Bill Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from a different viewpoint / perspective that I didn’t have. I think this should be read by everyone to get perhaps a different view of how history happened, or more accurately, what lessons are learned from what happened. Some parts are obviously dated to the time period, but there is plenty that you could write 2021 (rather than 1967...or 1867... or 1767...) and assume the book was just published.