Before the Mayflower A History of the..., Lerone Bennett
Before the Mayflower A History of the..., Lerone Bennett
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

Before the Mayflower A History of the Negro in America, 1619-1962

Author: Lerone Bennett

Narrator: John Riddle

Unabridged: 12 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/27/2019


Synopsis

The black experience in America, starting from its origins in Western Africa up to 1961, is examined in this seminal study from a prominent African American figure. The entire historical timeline of African Americans is addressed, from the Colonial period through the civil rights upheavals of the late 1950s to 1961, the time of publication.

Before the Mayflower grew out of a series of articles Bennett published in Ebony magazine regarding the trials and triumphs of a group of Americans whose roots in the American soil are deeper than the roots of the Puritans who arrived on the celebrated Mayflower a year after a "Dutch man of war" deposited 20 Negroes at Jamestown.

Bennett's history is infused with a desire to set the record straight about black contributions to the Americas and about the powerful Africans of antiquity. While not a fresh history, it provides a solid synthesis of current historical research and a lively writing style that makes it accessible and engaging listening.

After discussing the contributions of Africans to the ancient world, Before the Mayflower tells the history of the other Americans, how they came to America, and what happened to them when they got here. The audiobook is comprehensive and detailed, providing little-known and often-overlooked facts about the lives of black folks through slavery, Reconstruction, America's wars, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Donna on August 09, 2016

When I was working on my MA with the goal to teach history in the upper grades, I expressed my frustration to my professor. I asked where I could find the actual history of Africa. Everywhere I looked (in conventional sources, such as the university library and trade journals) it said, "See Europe".......more

Goodreads review by Shila Iris on December 13, 2011

This is my favorite book of all time. That means that it influenced my actions. Also, I collect editions of it, so if you have one you want to let go, please send it to me. :) Thank you.......more

Goodreads review by Marrick on November 15, 2008

If you are of African ancestry you have to know your history before you can put your eyes on the future, with success. This is also a very good read for anyone that is not African American but wants to explore the history of Africans in America.......more

Goodreads review by Claude on January 09, 2013

This book is a M U S T read for all! yes, it is a lil strong in its content but it all truth to how life was for a race of people whom is still classed as 2nd class! it has a real WOW factor to it but i really feel if read but our young sisters & brother today would clearly feel a lot better about t......more

Goodreads review by RK on August 20, 2009

PLEASE read this book.......more