Dey Street Books
Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE * AMAZON'S TOP 20 HISTORY BOOKS OF 2023 * B&N BEST OF EDUCATIONAL HISTORY * THE ROOT'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023 * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023
From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans.
America’s backstory is a whitewashed mythology implanted in our collective memory. It is the story of the pilgrims on the Mayflower building a new nation. It is George Washington’s cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. It is the fantastic tale of slaves that spontaneously teleported themselves here with nothing but strong backs and negro spirituals. It is a sugarcoated legend based on an almost true story.
It should come as no surprise that the dominant narrative of American history is blighted with errors and oversights—after all, history books were written by white men with their perspectives at the forefront. It could even be said that the devaluation and erasure of the Black experience is as American as apple pie.
In Black AF History, Michael Harriot presents a more accurate version of American history. Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research based on primary sources as well as the work of pioneering Black historians, scholars, and journalists, Harriot removes the white sugarcoating from the American story, placing Black people squarely at the center. With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary. For too long, we have refused to acknowledge that Americanhistory is white history. Not this one. This history is Black AF.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780358439165
EAN:
0358439167
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
432
Authors:
Michael Harriot
Publisher:
Dey Street Books
Published Date: 2023-19-09
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EYE OPENER! Best history book I’ve ever read.
Amazing, horrific, the real truth about America. I appriciate this book being written by a Black author. America loves to paint itself as the altruistic hero, and throughout my public school education I learned such a distorted version of US History. I've been deconstructing the white supremacy of America's roots, along with religion and this book really tells it like it is. I loved it. Thank you to the author. There are questions at the end of a lot of the chapters. They're pretty obvious answers (unless yr a yt supremist), and I believe that was intentional lol. I'd recommend this book to anyone. Everyone should read this book- it should be in every HS in the US, for every History class!
Stop reading this review and go read the book.
Black AF History is an absolute powerhouse from start to finish. Bell Hooks’ storytelling is deeply personal yet profoundly universal—she unpacks generational trauma, resilience, and Pride with a voice that’s raw, honest, and illuminating.What I loved most: • Authentic storytelling: Hooks shares intimate family memories alongside broader historical context—her vivid recollections made me feel like I was right there with her. • Educational yet engaging: This isn’t just a memoir—it’s a lesson in American history through the lens of Black experience, told with clarity and purpose. • Emotional impact: I laughed, I teared up, and I reflected deeply on my own family history and identity.Whether you’re already familiar with Hooks or discovering her for the first time, this book is a vital read—rich in wisdom, warmth, and an unsparing truth about Black America.
So you are certain you aren’t racist?So you think you know history?You may not be quite as color blind as you think you are. And you may have held on to notions you have been raised to believe. But now is the time to grow up and find out for yourself what has really been going on from the beginning of this “great country”. Hopefully it gives you a better understanding of what other people have experienced and hopefully it changes things for all people. One person at a time - we can make a difference if we take time to see where we’ve gone wrong and not repeat those things that are wrong.
