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

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

[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’.

[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

[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