The Shaping of Black America: The Struggles and Triumphs of African-Americans, 1619 - 1990s

by Lerone Bennett Jr.

A comprehensive developmental history of the African=American struggle for autonomy and power /in America, from 1619 to 1990./

Genres: History, Nonfiction, African American, Sociology

356 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1975

About the author

Lerone Bennett Jr. was an African-American scholar, author and social historian, known for his analysis of race relations in the United States.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will blow your mind when you find out there are EXTREMELY important things left out of our high school history books. It drives home the idea that "history" is controlled by the man with the pen. This is a must read.

[Marrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. Another great historical text from Lerone Bennett.

[Rasheed Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Shaping of Black America” is a book that began as essays in Ebony magazine. The author, Lerone Bennett, Jr., was the long time editor of the acclaimed magazine. The book starts with the earliest documented instances of Africans on American soil and finishes with the South Central L.A. riots of 1992.

This is a very enlightening book. Bennett discusses important yet little known Black figures from the 17th century on. It is a historical documentation of the economical, social, religious, educational, and political ups and downs of Black people. Most of the aforementioned was used to oppress Black Americans, but there are the cases of those who were able to excel in these areas in spite of the overwhelming forces against them.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for American Studies - 94

Would like to reread for 2020