What do you think?
Rate this book
Worlds Great Men of Color
An eye-opening account of the great black personalities of world history.
In this first volume: outstanding blacks of Asia and Africa, and historical figures before Christ -- including Akhenaton, Aesop, Hannibal, Cleopatra, Zenobia, Askia the Great, the Mahdi, Samuel Adjai Crowther, and many more.
World's Great Men of Color is a comprehensive account of the great Black personalities in world history. J. A. Rogers was one of the first Black scholars to devote most of his life to researching the lives of hundreds of men and women of color. This first volume is a convenient reference; equipped with a comprehensive introduction, it treats all aspects of recorded Black history. J. A. Rogers's book is vital reading for everyone who wants a fuller and broader understanding of the great personalities who have shaped our world.
The companion volume covers the great Blacks of Europe, South and Central America, the West Indies, and the United States, including Marcus Garvey, Robert Browning, Dom Pedro, Alexandre Dumas, Joachim Murat, Aleksander Sergeevich Pushkin, Alessandro de' Medici, St. Benedict the Moor, and many others.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1947
70 people are currently reading
1566 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Rogers
54 books125 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Joel Augustus Rogers was a Jamaican-American author, journalist, and historian who contributed to the history of Africa and the African diaspora, especially the history of African Americans in the United States. His research spanned the academic fields of history, sociology and anthropology. He challenged prevailing ideas about race, demonstrated the connections between civilizations, and traced African achievements. He was one of the greatest popularizers of African history in the 20th century.
Joel Augustus Rogers was a Jamaican-American author, journalist, and historian who contributed to the history of Africa and the African diaspora, especially the history of African Americans in the United States. His research spanned the academic fields of history, sociology and anthropology. He challenged prevailing ideas about race, demonstrated the connections between civilizations, and traced African achievements. He was one of the greatest popularizers of African history in the 20th century.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 4, 2014
So much of black history is neglected in the schools. Much of what is taught to black children, particularly in American schools, centers around blacks of the North American hemisphere. However, black history is much broader, richer, and deeper than America or the offspring thereof in this part of the world.
Joel Rogers attempts to prove (and successfully so) that black people, both in the Americas and abroad, have nothing to be ashamed of in terms of their contribution to human history. In fact, to the contrary, they have much to be proud of, and, a mantle of success and accomplishment to hang their hats on!
Rogers' work deserves to be read by every black American child and adult alive today, for there is still much psychological reconditioning of the black mind which his work can monumentally contribute to.
Joel Rogers attempts to prove (and successfully so) that black people, both in the Americas and abroad, have nothing to be ashamed of in terms of their contribution to human history. In fact, to the contrary, they have much to be proud of, and, a mantle of success and accomplishment to hang their hats on!
Rogers' work deserves to be read by every black American child and adult alive today, for there is still much psychological reconditioning of the black mind which his work can monumentally contribute to.
November 6, 2020
Whilst on a mission to get last minute Christmas shopping out of the way in Sangster’s Book Store on Harbour Street in downtown Kingston – I stumbled upon the book “World’s Great Men of Color – Volume I”. For a guy on a journey to reclaim and rediscover his African heritage the book seemed to literally scream “buy me, you shall not be disappointed!” I yielded to that voice … and indeed I was not disappointed.
After I started to read the book I discovered, thanks to one of my few genuinely Afrocentric friends, that the author Joel Augustus Rogers was a Jamaican and, most significantly, his written works may have given impetus to the USA’s Carter G Woodson establishing February as Black History Month which is now celebrated and marked the world over. My little island home continues to amaze in the length and breadth of unsung heroes it has produced who have had a major impact of this immense and intriguing globe we call Earth.
The book, which was first printed in 1946, is divided in three sections which follow an Introduction contributed by the illustrious American historian John Henrik Clarke and a chapter by Mr Rogers expounding on “How and Why This Book Was Written”. The first section of the book deals with “Celebrities Before Christ”, the second covers “Asia” and the third “Africa”.
Chapters in the three sections contain a profile of a person who has a made their mark as a citizen of this world often defying tremendous odds or the limited life opportunities they would have been presumed to have due to their ethnicity, circumstances of birth or general lot in life. Thankfully a number of the persons profiled are female – therefore the apparent machismo and chauvinism that might be taken from the title makes it slightly misleading.
I unhesitatingly dub “World’s Great Men of Color – Volume I” a “Good Read” for the following reasons:
1. It firmly debunks myths about the inferiority of people of color by trotting out an impressive list of thinkers (e.g., Aesop), explorers (Paul Belloni Du Chaillu) and leaders (e.g., Hannibal), many of whom are still today widely believed to be white but who in fact were black (if we ascribe validity to the “one drop of blood” rule).
2. Some of the persons profiled are well known (e.g., Shaka Zulu, Emperor Haile Selassie, Cleopatra and the Queen of Sheba) others are not so well known (e.g., Isaac Wallace Johnson, Pianky, Ibrahim Al-Mahdi and Glaoui Pasha) but their profiles are no less fascinating and inspiring.
3. Appended to virtually every chapter is a list of References suggestive of the fact that the book was well researched, which appears to have been one of the hallmarks of Rogers’ works (for more information on J A Rogers see http://www.blackpast.org/aah/rogers-j... ).
I was pleasantly surprised to see some familiar names profiled in the book – but on reflection I was saddened by the fact I myself had not reckoned those individuals to be persons of “Color”, I fear because of the inadequacies of the education bequeathed to me and my peers by a former European colonial master. Herein is the justification for my journey to reclaim a lost history.
John Henrik Clarke in the book’s introduction says this about Mr Rogers and his mission in life -
“In the books of J. A. Rogers an attempt has been made to locate Africa’s proper place on the maps of human geography. This is what his life and research were about.”
I thank you Mr Rogers!
After I started to read the book I discovered, thanks to one of my few genuinely Afrocentric friends, that the author Joel Augustus Rogers was a Jamaican and, most significantly, his written works may have given impetus to the USA’s Carter G Woodson establishing February as Black History Month which is now celebrated and marked the world over. My little island home continues to amaze in the length and breadth of unsung heroes it has produced who have had a major impact of this immense and intriguing globe we call Earth.
The book, which was first printed in 1946, is divided in three sections which follow an Introduction contributed by the illustrious American historian John Henrik Clarke and a chapter by Mr Rogers expounding on “How and Why This Book Was Written”. The first section of the book deals with “Celebrities Before Christ”, the second covers “Asia” and the third “Africa”.
Chapters in the three sections contain a profile of a person who has a made their mark as a citizen of this world often defying tremendous odds or the limited life opportunities they would have been presumed to have due to their ethnicity, circumstances of birth or general lot in life. Thankfully a number of the persons profiled are female – therefore the apparent machismo and chauvinism that might be taken from the title makes it slightly misleading.
I unhesitatingly dub “World’s Great Men of Color – Volume I” a “Good Read” for the following reasons:
1. It firmly debunks myths about the inferiority of people of color by trotting out an impressive list of thinkers (e.g., Aesop), explorers (Paul Belloni Du Chaillu) and leaders (e.g., Hannibal), many of whom are still today widely believed to be white but who in fact were black (if we ascribe validity to the “one drop of blood” rule).
2. Some of the persons profiled are well known (e.g., Shaka Zulu, Emperor Haile Selassie, Cleopatra and the Queen of Sheba) others are not so well known (e.g., Isaac Wallace Johnson, Pianky, Ibrahim Al-Mahdi and Glaoui Pasha) but their profiles are no less fascinating and inspiring.
3. Appended to virtually every chapter is a list of References suggestive of the fact that the book was well researched, which appears to have been one of the hallmarks of Rogers’ works (for more information on J A Rogers see http://www.blackpast.org/aah/rogers-j... ).
I was pleasantly surprised to see some familiar names profiled in the book – but on reflection I was saddened by the fact I myself had not reckoned those individuals to be persons of “Color”, I fear because of the inadequacies of the education bequeathed to me and my peers by a former European colonial master. Herein is the justification for my journey to reclaim a lost history.
John Henrik Clarke in the book’s introduction says this about Mr Rogers and his mission in life -
“In the books of J. A. Rogers an attempt has been made to locate Africa’s proper place on the maps of human geography. This is what his life and research were about.”
I thank you Mr Rogers!
August 26, 2010
An amazingly and accurately written contribution to literature, this history book (with commentary) documents the contributions, explorations, conquests, etc ancient African, Asian, and Middle Eastern peoples have done. Focusing primary on people of color, this book gives an in-depth look at past events and the men and women that spearheaded many of them. I feel that this book is 9+ years appropriate, and could gender relevant conversation for students concerning great scientist, engineers, rulers, leaders, strategist, etc of color.
October 18, 2010
this bok changed my life ,giving me a new positve outlook and help me to relize people of colour contributed so much to modern civilization that has been edited out of every day lif , amazing read .
April 14, 2015
Excellent book!!! A wealth of information
August 5, 2016
An awesome book that broadens one's mind on the grand scope of black history, which is really humanities' history!
July 15, 2018
I’m always enthused to learn about self. I will read many more books related to me being great 👍🏾
October 14, 2009
Most intriguing and very poetic. Use as a point of reference and knowledge.
July 21, 2023
I love to read, you know, and I’ll read anything that looks interesting. I don’t usually think anything of the books I choose to read, but some people are watching my choices and judging me.
For example, I was reading “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison, and my friend, who is black, got mad and cussed me out, saying that when it comes to black writers, I only ever read books about slavery.
He said I need to read positive books that uplift the black race.
I got to thinking about it, and he was right. I do need to read more positive things about people who are successful and happy. I need to get away from doom and gloom.
I don’t just read books about black people getting shafted, but I do think sad situations and bad times may have been the majority of my exposure to black writing.
We need more positive black experiences to read about.
That’s why, “Worlds Great Men of Color,” is such an important book. It’s filled with short biographies of men and women who made important impacts on the world.
These people are powerful, intelligent, and remarkable.
Great people come from every race, and that’s a fact. Great men and women of color exist, and have existed, in this world all throughout history, and there are a lot of them.
I know, it took me 2 weeks to read this book. I honestly think this book is actually supposed to be used as reference.
You’re supposed to flip through the book and look for a person who you find interesting and read their write up. Then you go to the library or the book store and you find a full biography of the person.
You read their story in-depth and get an education.
I just read the book straight through like a dimwit and it took forever. Now that I’ve read it though, I can always flip back through and find people I’d like to investigate further. For instance, I think I’d like to learn more about Isaac Wallace-Johnson, the great labor leader. And I’d like to read more about Haile Selassie. I also have to read more about the Ashanti and the Zulu.
This is volume one of “Worlds Great Men of Color,” and I think volume two might have more modern people outlined in it, and I’d like to get that book because I think I’ll be more familiar with the people listed within its pages.
I’m not that interested in the sad parts of history anymore, I want to see the great things. I want to know the triumphs and the happiness.
I think we’ve all got to find out who we are and where we came from and then praise the greatness that we are a part of.
For example, I was reading “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison, and my friend, who is black, got mad and cussed me out, saying that when it comes to black writers, I only ever read books about slavery.
He said I need to read positive books that uplift the black race.
I got to thinking about it, and he was right. I do need to read more positive things about people who are successful and happy. I need to get away from doom and gloom.
I don’t just read books about black people getting shafted, but I do think sad situations and bad times may have been the majority of my exposure to black writing.
We need more positive black experiences to read about.
That’s why, “Worlds Great Men of Color,” is such an important book. It’s filled with short biographies of men and women who made important impacts on the world.
These people are powerful, intelligent, and remarkable.
Great people come from every race, and that’s a fact. Great men and women of color exist, and have existed, in this world all throughout history, and there are a lot of them.
I know, it took me 2 weeks to read this book. I honestly think this book is actually supposed to be used as reference.
You’re supposed to flip through the book and look for a person who you find interesting and read their write up. Then you go to the library or the book store and you find a full biography of the person.
You read their story in-depth and get an education.
I just read the book straight through like a dimwit and it took forever. Now that I’ve read it though, I can always flip back through and find people I’d like to investigate further. For instance, I think I’d like to learn more about Isaac Wallace-Johnson, the great labor leader. And I’d like to read more about Haile Selassie. I also have to read more about the Ashanti and the Zulu.
This is volume one of “Worlds Great Men of Color,” and I think volume two might have more modern people outlined in it, and I’d like to get that book because I think I’ll be more familiar with the people listed within its pages.
I’m not that interested in the sad parts of history anymore, I want to see the great things. I want to know the triumphs and the happiness.
I think we’ve all got to find out who we are and where we came from and then praise the greatness that we are a part of.
August 30, 2022
I learnt so much that it took me so long and i will need to refer back to this book when I want to remind people of black excellence in history
March 24, 2019
Excellent source of BlAck People in power in AfricA
December 20, 2019
YES I AM VOTEING FOR THIS BOOK TO WIN GREAT TITLE @ AUTHOR I ADMIRE THIS BOOK 📚. WINNER. YESS🤙😎👌🍿
December 24, 2020
I paid $1 for this book at a local library sale. I learned a lot about different men of color around the world.
February 27, 2022
THIS IS A WOW BOOK. A MUST HAVE I JUST LOVE THIS STORY WORLD’S GREAT MEN OF COLOR ALSO WORLD’S GREAT WOMEN ‘S OF COLOR GREAT TITLE. LOVE THIS BOOK THERE IS NO BOOK WITHOUT A TITLE. I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE AND READ THIS BOOK. HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH BLACK HISTORY MONTH. IS SO MUCH MORE. THAN A MONTH. ITS ABOUT ANCESTRY ‘S RESPECT UNITY LOVEING GOOD PEOPLES GP’S THE WORLD IS GREAT. IT IS SO MANY PEOPLES OUT THERE THAT MAKES THE .WORLD A DIS—-GRACE STILL THE WORLD STILL GOING TO TURN THE SUN IS STILL GOING TO SHINE THE SUN IS STILL GOING TO SET. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS I DONT SAY THAT FAST THERE IS A QUERY. BEHIND. EVERY. BOOK BEHIND EVERY BOOK THERE IS A STORY. WELL DONE AUTHOR. D.R. PS IAM ALSO A GREAT AUTHOR.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews