Black History For Beginners

For Beginners

by Denise Dennis, Susan Willmarth (Illustrator)

Here is a reprint of one of the most popular Beginners books. Covering a rich history often ignored, Denise Dennis chronicles the struggle from capture and enslavement in Africa right up through Civil Rights and the different kind of struggle Blacks face today. 

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Comics, African American, Graphic Novels, Audiobook, Politics

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book 4 stars out of grace for the fact that it was written in 1984, nearly 40 years ago. I wish I'd had this book in 1984; it would have been very informative and eye opening when compared with the history classes in high school. Instead, I feel like it omitted so much, like it nearly went there...and then had to stop. Powers that be, maybe? Or recognition of the fact that a lot of people would flip their wigs when they read this history (or worse, when their children read it. not the children!)

Black History for Beginners is most definitely for beginners. It's a little bit of information about a lot of things, but not a lot of information about anything. Once you start learning about history outside of the white, Christian, western European history, you'll look at this book as such a quaint way to get history told. But when you remind yourself that it was written 36 years ago and even now people are losing their minds with each book or project that tries to set the record straight.

[Del · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a whistle stop tour through American black history, providing a basic chronological path augmenting black history to the more established American historical narrative. The overall effect is that invites the reader to challenge the assumptions of American history and to find out more about the people and movements explored in the text.

[Born Uhuru · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a must have for black children or anyone interested in black history. It’s not the most comprehensive book on our history but it does give you a good starting point. It’s more like a graphic novel without reference points. I bought it for my children.

[Connor Patrick]

This book reminded me that we are not far from history and should continue fighting for what we believe is right because it is possible.

[Ay Dree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great intro to black history for anyone. Every black person should read this book. It corrects and details false/incomplete info learned in school from textbooks.

This book also encourages the reader to research and learn more by dropping names of pertinent black and white historical figures, groups, and presidents.

This book opens the readers eyes to more than just black history... it illustrates how our people have fought, persevered, and, pretty much, moved mountains for us to be where we are today and why we should appreciate their sacrifices and continue to build on their lives’ work.

“As one elderly woman put it”I’m not walking for myself, I’m walking for my children and grandchildren.” “ (pg.164)

I wish the book would have provided more info on Lyndon B Johnson’s relationship with Dr. King and Malcolm X but that’s just my personal preference. Overall, the book is a great read, conversation starter, and should be on every black person’s bookshelf.

[Robert Bone · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the wake of Black Lives Matter, this was an excellent introduction to the true CONSTANT psychological
and physical torment that black people have had to endure through history. It makes you realise what a small fraction of history is part of mainstream awareness.

Some bits were naturally hard to grasp as it’s a US book and so I didn’t know big US moments, but still, was fascinating to get an understanding into the eyes of politicians at the time and how black people became pawns for their gain. This makes me want to read more history in general; the comic book format was so accessible!

[James Uscroft · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an introductory summary, this book is still useful, if not vital in the face of the ignorant and bigoted 'Frontlash' against the perceived threat of racial equality that persists almost 40 years after it was first written. But while it will hopefully spark people's interest and cause them to seek out more information on the subject, the only reason to ever really buy this book is if you or someone who you know are completely ignorant of black history. (Which of course, is very likely if you went to school in the U.S.)

[Joan Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to black history, and good and a good step off to read about specific event within black history such as slavery, emancipation, manumission, Jim Crow, voting rights, reconstruction, governmental policies which perpetuated inequality, discrimination in the armed forces, civil rights etc, etc. All Americans should read this to understand how we’ve gotten to where we are as a country, as a nation of diverse people

[Siobhan Markwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well illustrated and designed, the perspective was a bit too American (of course) and even "for beginners" needed a bit of nuance. Does what it says on the tin but at a cost. Really nice to dip into though to know what other reading to do so I wished I'd bought it rather than borrowed it from the college library. Will get me a copy!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting listen. But I am somewhat confused by the title. See this book focuses only on American history. And obviously there is a lot more to black history than that.

However the stuff that was covered was very informative and engaging. This is a good introduction to Black History in America.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely designed for a middle school age audience (which I didn’t know when I borrowed it from the library!) but it was interesting because there were a few moments in history and people that I’ve never heard of growing up.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm trying to learn more about Black history and this was a good start. The book is a little bit dated and reads like a juvenile textbook but it gave me a good overall perspective about Black history.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy intro

This is very simple and easily digestab!e read. It is truly for the beginner. Some of the chronology is a bit off, and it needs another edit, but it's a good into into Black history.

[Cedric Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only this book could be used in public schools today. A very good quick walk through this history of the enslaved to the now African American citizens. Quick read and well worth it. To hear this told through the history of the 21st century.

[A Duck Named Pollyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for younger children to begin to understand the complex issues of race in the U.S.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and basic overview for beginners that have never delved into black history outside of high school history class.

[whoami · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Black Americans are proof that people can change even the most horrendous circumstances. Black history is a lesson and an inspiration."

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish the author (or someone) would update this book. It was published in the 1980’s and ended with a cliff hanger. I’m interested in knowing more and enjoyed the brief overview of Black History.

[Tim Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing introduction to Black history told thru text and illustrations.

[John Schrotberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Black history in America. It is a huge subject but just a good overview.

[Terissa Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be good for children just starting to gain knowledge on black history

[Insu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2025/36

Only covers a specific, minuscule part of Black History. Should have a more specific title.

[J.Istsfor Manity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed with excellent historical factoids that tell an important story.

But the art work seems slapdash and the text is riddled with mispellings and odd typos. It may be because I was reading an ebook version of the 1984 edition, and the book has been revised twice since then (and hopefully those quality issues addressed). The narrative history begins to substantively peter out during the late 1960’s—and seriously, only two sentences about Malcolm X?!

This is a good primer though. Even though I haven’t seen it, try to find the 2007 edition which hopefully addresses the aforementioned issues. Very good at pointing you in a number of interesting directions for your own research and further reading.

Ebook, 02/26/21.

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining overview of the history of African Americans in the United States ending in 1980. The book is a good resource for anyone age 10 or above. Many events and historical figures are presented and gives a person a guide for more in depth reading of various topics.

[Darnell S. Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts by mentioning Africa and then goes straight into slavery in America. The book's comic style gives a new perspective on this era. It shows the cruelty and humanity of the enslaved American Americans. Their lives are often lost to textbooks mentioning slavery. The timeline jumps to the Civil War, early 19th century, and then concludes with the civil rights movement. These topics are very complex. The author's choices in deciding what to include and how was done were very skilfully. The narrative is easy to follow. Africans are not presented as victims but as brave people who persist against adversity. Every step of progress was fought hard. Their contributions to society are still felt today. We must recognize their efforts. This book isn't perfect but it is a good source of information about black history. I read the MARCH books and they are a great companion to this book. This book is readable in one sitting. I could do it even when normally even short books take me a couple of days.

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

written in 1984, this is amazing. a must read for all

[Rosa Gevaux · Rating 1 out of 5]

While this was vaguely informational - it is most definitely for really beginner beginners. I took some issue with the narrative choices as the author seemed to want to focus on certain things and not others - and not always in the best manner. What I mean by that is that the slightly sugar-coated style in the way the material is presented makes some of the history seem inconsequential when it isn't. The way in which the author introduces ideas (but doesn't explain them) makes the ideas seem faulty, weak, and/or out of place when they should be discussion starters. The value of the book is definitely undermined by its lack of clarity, making the subject itself seem unclear - when the opposite should be happening.

As a graphic novel, it was very scattered. The art seemed to be a mix of drawing and clip art. As for the lettering, it was mixed between handwritten and typefaces - not that there is anything wrong with that as an artistic choice - but it just came off as amateurish. As a graphic novel reader and someone with experience with teaching history at the high school level, I wouldn't use this in a classroom. I feel like instead of a primer, it would only cause confusion due to the lack of information provided. It's much more like a conventional textbook than anything else, where each sentence is supposed to be an end in and of itself, rather than part of a larger narrative history. I think in an attempt to make the material accessible with clip art and funky fonts, the message is lost.

I couldn't wait to finish it...so it would be over, but I really wanted to give it a chance. One star for being so disappointing when I was hoping to have learned at least one new thing. :(

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this, and it's a very good basic introduction to black history in the U.S. I romped right through it with only a few quibbles--at least three pages are devoted to MLK, while Malcolm X gets a paragraph, for example (could be my edition, which is not recent). The writing and graphic illustration is enjoyable, and doesn't slow the reader down. I wouldn't let somebody read this book, and then stop. This is what I would recommend to somebody who is either motivated to learn about black history, but doesn't know where to start OR it's something I would give to somebody who thinks what they've learned in public school is the correct version of American black history. Right off the bat, African slaves are portrayed as a people who fought back and didn't mutely suffer for hundreds of years. Many examples of rebelling against the institution of slavery are included, too, whether they're legal challenges or violent uprisings. I commend any public school administrator that uses this in their curriculum, and every school librarian should have some version in their library.

[Jenmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy read and interesting perspective. A kind of 'duh' for us whities. Things I knew but did't put together quite like that.

[Leo Winters]

iii