Unsung, Schomburg Center
Unsung, Schomburg Center
List: $27.50 | Sale: $19.25
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Unsung
Unheralded Narratives of American Slavery & Abolition

Author: Schomburg Center, Michelle D. Commander, Kevin Young

Narrator: Chris Abernathy, Amanda Carlin, William DeMeritt, Dion Graham, Bill Andrew Quinn, Marisha Tapera, Bahni Turpin, Jade Wheeler

Unabridged: 23 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 02/16/2021


Synopsis

A new historical anthology from transatlantic slavery to the Reconstruction curated by the Schomburg Center, that makes the case for focusing on the histories of Black people as agents and architects of their own lives and ultimate liberation, with a foreword by Kevin Young

This is the first Penguin Classics anthology published in partnership with the Schomburg Center, a world-renowned cultural institution documenting black life in America and worldwide. A historic branch of NYPL located in Harlem, the Schomburg holds one of the world's premiere collections of slavery material within the Lapidus Center for Historical Analysis of Transatlantic Slavery. Unsung will place well-known documents by abolitionists alongside lesser-known life stories and overlooked or previously uncelebrated accounts of the everyday lives and activism that were central in the slavery era, but that are mostly excised from today's master accounts. Unsung will also highlight related titles from founder Arturo Schomburg's initial collection: rare histories and first-person narratives about slavery that assisted his generation in understanding the roots of their contemporary social struggles. Unsung will draw from the Schomburg's rich holdings in order to lead a dynamic discussion of slavery, rebellion, resistance, and anti-slavery protest in the United States.

About The Author

Michelle Commander is Associate Director and Curator of the Lapidus Center. Kevin Young is Director of the Schomburg Center and Poetry Editor for the New Yorker. His most recent book of poetry, Brown, and his nonfiction book Bunk, were both named New York Times Notable Books and longlisted for the National Book Award. Bunk was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Anuradha on June 30, 2022

Am a huge fan of Arunoday Singh and love love his writing so was thrilled to see that some of it has been compiled in a book. Loved reading and esp the introduction. Hoping for some more soon.......more

Goodreads review by Anjana on September 21, 2022

Poems Unsung Arunoday Singh Penguin India INR 399 Actor turned poet Arunoday Singh has brought out his first collection of verse, a beautifully bound volume that matches the elegance of his calligraphy on instagram. Penguin India has diverged from its normal publishing ethic by bringing out a poet’s debut......more

Goodreads review by Pragya on June 30, 2022

The book reached me today and I just finished reading it. And as I write this review, I know for a fact that I am going to go back to this book every once in a while. I know it will become that book which sits in the front most section of my bookshelf amongst the top books that I now almost consider......more

Goodreads review by Anandarupa on November 29, 2022

The poems are deep, understandable that these words come from an aloof side of the author where no camera or any of his characters could visit. Unsung will land you into myriad thoughts- you'll start dissecting words and emotions from the poems and you'll know that you only needed these words to mak......more

Goodreads review by Piyush on May 07, 2023

Sufisoul ( as we all know him) is such a man inspiration to me . I’m in awe of his writing and how he carved words into meaningful amazing poetry ! This book is worth to be read and re read , as each time , his poems give a new meaning . A new path to tread !......more


Quotes

“As comprehensive a collection as now exists and one that should be required reading in history and literature courses.”
Kirkus, starred review

“Remarkable anthology...As a whole, this collection showcases the vastness of Black thinking and writing, and nicely complements works by Martha S. Jones and Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers. Complete with a list of suggestions for further reading, this winning anthology is a must for all interested in Black history, but unsure where to start.”
Library Journal, starred review

“This anthology highlights the overlooked role that enslaved people played in emancipation.”
The New York Times Book Review

“The song sung in these pages is not solely an aria to agency or a tragic chorus about limits; it is both. It perseveres in the mission described in Arturo Schomburg’s 'The Negro Digs Up His Past' as excavating history to 'restore what slavery took away.' It shouts against the silencing alluded to in the Unsung title. Like the Harlem Renaissance and the Schomburg Center, Unsung is a work of both history and art.” 
Washington Post