African American Odyssey, Combined Volume

by Darlene Clark Hine, William C. Hine, Stanley Harrold

More than any other text, The African-American Odyssey illuminates the central place of African Americans in U.S. history — not only telling the story of what it has meant to be black in America, but also how African-American history is inseparably weaved into the greater context of American history and vice versa. This updated edition brings the story up to 2008 and the historic election of the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama . Told through a clear, direct, and flowing narrative by leading scholars in the field, The African-American Odyssey draws on recent research to present black history within broad social, cultural, and political frameworks. From Africa to the Twenty-First Century, this book follows their long, turbulent journey, including the rich culture that African Americans have nurtured throughout their history and the many-faceted quest for freedom in which African Americans have sought to counter oppression and racism. This text also recognizes the diversity within the African-American sphere — providing coverage of all class and of women and balancing the lives of ordinary men and women with the accounts and actions of black leaders and individuals.

Genres: History, Textbooks, Nonfiction

711 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning example of everything a history book should be. It includes plenty of primary sources, maps, graphs and brief life sketches of significant historical figures. This book shows that African-American history is important not just to African Americans but all Americans. It begins with a survey of pre-slave trade Africa. I took a class on African history, and this book included information that was overlooked even in that class. It ends with the election of President Obama and statistics on black America. In between it covers artists, scientists, politicians, lawyers, preachers, poets, musicians, inventors and more. It covers every significant period and event of US history with its bearing on black America.

Each chapter ends with a list of books on the covered topics and a list of historical sites you can visit that relate to the chapter. I would encourage anyone interested in African-American history to begin with this textbook and branch out from there.

[Gerald C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Caitlyn]

My African-American history textbook.

[Craig Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent textbook. I am presently using it as a required reading in one of my classes. The book provides a thorough overview of African American history from a good discussion of pre-colonial Africa, all the way through the 21st century in the United States. The text focusses on the men, women, and groups that helped define African American history. I truly enjoy the work of the scholar Darlene Clark Hine, and many of her other endeavors. This is a gem of a book, and I am very proud to use it in my class.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellently written history textbook.