The Hidden History of the Black American West

by Alaina E. Roberts, The Great Courses

The westward expansion of the United States has a far bigger and more complex history than Hollywood westerns and high school textbooks would have us believe. Even before the establishment of the British colonies on the nation’s eastern shore, the American West was beginning to take shape—including the arrival of the first people of African descent to set foot in North America in the late 1400s. From the very beginning, the history of the American West has been intertwined with the Black experience.

In the six lectures of The Hidden History of the Black American West, Professor Alaina Roberts reveals this little-known story, illuminating the many ways that knowing Black history is crucial to understanding the creation of the United States as we know it today. Throughout these lectures, you’ll meet the African American lawmen, entrepreneurs, cowboys—and even outlaws—who played a part in the settlement and expansion of the West.

As you trace the history of the American West from the arrival of settlers and traders from abroad in the 15th century to the waves of migration in the 19th century and beyond, you’ll see how Black people were there for all of it, putting their own indelible stamp on the culture and the nation. Join us for The Hidden History of the Black American West and discover the tragedies and triumphs that shaped a fledgling nation.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Westerns

Audible Audio

Published February 19, 2026

About the author

I am a historian and professor at the University of Pittsburgh. I write about the connections between Black and Native American people from the nineteenth century to the modern-day because of my own family history and search for identity.

If I'm not writing, researching, or teaching, I'm probably eating a baked good... or weightlifting or running so that I can continue to eat baked goods.

Reviews

[Cameron Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

2.02 hours on Audible. Thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating study.

[AttackGirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where is my review?

This is not about black people, it’s about slavery.

Very disappointed in this Great Course. It my first ever disappointment in a great course. Just terrible. To the point of claiming the term ‘cowboy’ was created as a derogatory term for black men being called ‘boy’. I’ll let you look up the very old words origins. Hint.. nothing to do with black men being called ‘boy’.

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hidden History of the Black American West by Alaina E. Roberts is a powerful and illuminating work that challenges long-held narratives about the American frontier. Roberts uncovers the often-overlooked experiences of Black Americans, particularly formerly enslaved people, who moved westward and interacted with Native American nations in complex and sometimes contradictory ways.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its depth of research. Roberts brings forward voices and histories that have been largely excluded from mainstream accounts, weaving together archival material, personal stories, and sharp analysis. Her exploration of how Black settlers navigated systems of power, including slavery within Native tribes, adds nuance and complexity that makes the history feel real rather than simplified.

The writing is engaging and accessible, especially considering the weight and detail of the subject matter. Roberts does an excellent job balancing storytelling with academic rigor, making the book suitable for both general readers and those with a deeper interest in American history.

At times, the level of detail can feel dense, particularly for readers unfamiliar with the historical context or the specific tribes discussed. Some sections may require extra attention to fully appreciate the arguments being made. However, this depth is also what makes the book so valuable, it rewards careful reading.

Overall, this is an insightful and necessary contribution to our understanding of the American West. It broadens perspectives, challenges assumptions, and highlights histories that deserve far more recognition.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful overview of the presence and critical contributions of black people in the development of America. The title made me anticipate that the focus would be on the cowboy era in the second half of the nineteenth century, but thankfully Roberts was much more ambitious than that. She follows what I think of as the moving or evolving west, starting with the western frontier at the earliest days of European colonies and does not solely focus on the English colonies. Obviously in a short work like this she is not able to be anything like comprehensive, but it is a joy to listen to her lead us through some very interesting people and developments that helped shape America.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1528, an African man named Esteban, traveling with his Spanish enslaver to Florida, was shipwrecked off Texas and WALKED 2,250 MILES across the Southwest TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

How is this man’s life not a movie already?!

You’ll learn all sorts of cool historical things, and sad historical things, and a few happy historical things reading this book.

It’s a very quick listen; I kept having to put it down because several limited-time library holds of mine came in (y’all know how that is) so don’t let the time it took me to finish throw you.

[Reid Burroughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent History well written and succinct. Lots of untold history in this the author I believe did the research for the book. It has both a large based appeal and some biographical information in the telling. The author is able to keep the work and covers many centuries and events. Not political which is hard to see how the author achieved that but she did I suppose it’s focus on the western part of North America is why some more colonial history was not covered. But excellent

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was unique (in my experience) in the stories she chose to share - they weren't the same ones we've all heard before. Now I want more depth on them, as this is very short and just skims the surface of these lives.

[Scott Satterwhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work was pretty amazing. I learned a lot about Black history in the West, much I had never heard of before. Recommended for anybody who is interested in African-American history and especially anyone who teaches it

[Bindingly Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. It was fascinating.

[Cathy Pierson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very cut and dried historic accounting of how black Americans were used as seen from the “other side” of the US..

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

great information!!!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was informative, this would have been a much better audiobook if the author/narrator didn't have a singsong delivery. Thankfully it was a short listen.

[John Remedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Roberts makes for a personable narrator, and has clearly done her research.

Interesting and informative, with a thrifty runtime of under 2.5hrs.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative series of academic lectures about a chapter of African American and yes, American history whitewashed into oblivion.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned so many things, what a great program!

[يوسف عبداللطيف · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes The Hidden History of the Black American West so vital is Alaina E. Roberts's ability to point out how economic dependence is used as a leash to keep critical voices silent.