100 African Americans Who Shaped American History: Incredible Stories of Black Heroes

by Chrisanne Beckner

Amazing stories of 100 Black Americans who everyone should know―for kids eight and up Engaging and packed with facts, 100 African Americans Who Shaped American History is the perfect history gift for curious kids! This biography book for kids features Discover artists, activists, icons, and legends throughout American history! 100 African Americans Who Shaped American History introduces kids of all ages to some of the most influential Black Americans from the very beginning of the country all the way up to present day. Learn all about the incredible lives and lasting legacies of figures like Harriet Tubman, Duke Ellington, Malcolm X, Mae Jemison, and many more!

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jay Budzilowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History
By Chrisanne Beckner
1995
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SUMMARY:
One-page profiles on 100 important African-Americans who lived during the 17th through 20th centuries.
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EXCERPT:
His (Benjamin Banneker’s) early interest made him a wise inventor when he decided to recreate a pocket watch he saw on a traveling salesman. Since no watches existed in America, Benjamin Banneker used all his mathematical skill to develop plans, make the right calculations, and personally carve each gear of the first American watch. Made entirely of wood, Banneker's watch ran perfectly for over 40 years. (p. 9)

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REVIEW:
Informative profiles of many important African-Americans. Many whom I knew little or nothing about. Since this was a 1995 publication I believe there would be some significant additions/subtractions if this book was released today.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of one page biographies of famous African Americans is a quick read with pertinent facts about well-known African-Americans.

This book is a good starting point for research or a good book to pick up and learn a few things when time is available. The concise descriptions share enough information to give one a broad overview but enough details to satisfy curiosity.

Recommended for school libraries.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was published in 1995 so not current. However, it's better than trying to get a broad intro using Google. There are some remarkable African-Americans introduced which sadly you don't hear about. I read on Amazon a history teacher uses this book to assign individuals to his students during Black History month.

[David Homoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good title sharing good knowledge of our heroes who made change possible.

Some information missing or not accurate, but still a book important for people to have read. Some of the people named are unknown, but without their effort a lot wouldn't have changed. Please updated some parts.

[Elara B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational.

[Patrick Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

informative. Formulaic. And maybe dated… Bill Cosby?

[Paula]

First published in 1995, so the most recent person in this chronological listing of history-shapers is Oprah Winfrey, born in 1954. So that means no Barack Obama.
It's a good book, it has 100 one-page bios of important folks, there's a lot of bang for the buck. But besides Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin, I spot no other LGBTQ+ people. I think if you were writing this book now (and plenty of people are) you'd include Audre Lorde, Marsha P. Johnson, Pauli Murray, Barbara Jordan (never out), or Angela Davis. I mean at LEAST Angela Davis. And you'd probably also include a couple more people who were labeled 'radical' at the time - Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver, Stokely Carmichael.
And in the end... no Barack Obama.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another wonderful story. All kids need to read this one and again this is one for the libraries and schools. I loved every page and donated this one to the library. Such an important read!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book offers a wide range of men and women. They have a variety of backgrounds, from activists to artists to scientists.
This is a good book as an introduction to the different people included.

[La-Tica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needs a second volume to add all of the amazing people that have come since the end of this ook. This book stops at Muhammad Ali

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now dated and a couple probably wouldn't be included today. Good reminder that there is a long history of African American leadership.

[Chris Worthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful start on naming and honoring those included, this is a fantastic classroom or home library addition for kids.