Part of a Story That Started Before Me: Poems about Black British History

by Various

'It's time we told our story too. The melanin speaks for itself.' - George the PoetPart of a Story That Started Before Me is an extraordinary new collection of poems chosen by acclaimed spoken-word performer and social commentator George the Poet.Taking readers on a thought-provoking poetical journey through Black British history, the anthology brings together some of the most exciting wordsmiths from across the diaspora and fascinating era-by-era notes from historian Dr Christienna Fryar.From Africans in Roman Britannia to the first Black actor to play Othello on stage, from Malcolm X's visit to the West Midlands to highlighting an organizer of the UK's first Gay Pride, this important collection reveals unsun people and events from our past to recognize the intrinsic impact they've had on Britain Abi Simms, Adesayo Talabi, AFLO. the poet, Amina Jama, Anu Balofin, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Becksy Becks, Benjamin Zephaniah, Bridget Minamore, Cara Thompson, Casey Bailey, Deanna Rodger, Derek Walcott, Dorothea Smartt, Dzifa Benson, Edward Kamau Brathwaite, Eno Mfon, Evan the Poet, Fred D'Aguiar, FULAANI onda 3s, George The Poet, Grace Nichols, Henry Stone, Highwater Ell aka Elliott Henry, Ife Grillo, Inua Ellams, Irenosen Okojie, Isaiah Hull, Jade LB, Jeffrey Boakye, Jenny Mitchell, Jeremiah Brown, John Agard, Joseph Coelho, Jude Yawson, Kat Francois, Keith Jarrett, Kelechi Okafor, M. NourbeSe Philip, Malika Booker, Michael Groce, Miles Chambers, Muneera Pilgrim, Nick Makoha, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Nile Faure-Bryan, Olaudah Equiano, Olivette Otele, Patience Agbabi, Peter deGraft-Johnson aka The Repeat Beat Poet, Phillis Wheatley, Priss Nash, Rakaya Fetuga, Raymond Antrobus, Reece Williams, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasha, Samuel King, Sophia Thakur, Stretch the Top Boy, Thembe Mvula, Theresa Lola, Tré Ventour, Vanessa Kisuule, Wretch 32 and Zena Edwards.

Genres: Poetry

272 pages, Hardcover

Published July 13, 2023

About the author

Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.

Reviews

[Kurtis Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important book. Unique in the way it combines history with poetry. Completely engrossed in the way pieces of history are told through the poetry and then backed up with the notes from the authors about the historic figures they're writing about.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

George the Poet has curated a really fantastic collection here. Black British history is brought to life by an absolutely stellar line up of poets & I’m pleased to have discovered some new names!

[Dan Takyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything here is just sensational, I had to stop and get annotating because too many things were just hitting too hard, an anthology of literary greatness which has really inspired me to get back to writing, our stories need to be told, from Black pain, to Black joy, to Black history, to Black excellence, and poetry is a beautiful way of telling them. I love everything George the Poet does and this is no exception.

[I'mogén · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Details:
Narrated by various narrator's
Unabridged

Such a powerful and emotional collection. So many accounts of Black figures in history that I was never taught about in school.

I feel like this would pair wonderfully with Black England, that I've yet to read from my collection.

Half way through I noticed the audio kept cutting off part of what the previous narrator was saying about the piece, which was unfortunate.

Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

A wonderful poetry collection full of talented writers!! I think the collection is important to read even if you’re not such a fan of poetry. It is full of history often over looked and a very interesting read.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing anthology, with masterpiece after masterpiece.

[Andrea Barlien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great selection of verse.