What do you think?
Rate this book
From the Browder File: 22 Essays on the African American Experience
We can be led to act in our own interest as a group if we tune into, and add to, our mental diets, the liberating thoughts that are provifef for us in the From The Browder File. No person or group outside of our own is likely to see our need for a collective rebirth of consiousness.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionAfrica
159 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
40 people are currently reading
1244 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 3, 2015
Great book. Eye opener. It felt good to read my thoughts coming from a man I'd never heard of. Although this book was written some time ago, his ideas are still relevant and can still be a significant start to those looking to wake up. I now look at education, spirituality, and consciousness in a different light and would recommend this collection of essays to anybody looking for their beginning.
September 26, 2007
Some essays are a bit patriarchal, but gives interesting insight and history.
October 20, 2014
I appreciate this book and what it had to offer. There is a lot of knowledge in this book with many references. It has triggered my mind and intrigued my soul to do more digging and to gain more knowledge on the African experience; born and decedents.
October 18, 2010
the way he breaks down every day reality 4 the average person is unbelievable but he does , and he opens ur eyes 2 diferent angles of humanity u didnt no existed .
May 27, 2012
Great book!!! Very informational.... Johnathan Lee check this out bruh
December 5, 2017
The problem with knowledge is it cannot be contained. When you are in the know, it will change your thoughts and actions. Browder shares his knowledge of the manipulation of African culture. As he shares with readers, it is our charge to share with others. Each one teach one.
August 8, 2023
This is one of the most important and impactful books that I have ever read. It's a short read but so much to think about, research and digest. Once you read this book, your mind will never see the world the same
February 9, 2021
This was an awesome book. Anthony Browder has opened my eyes to knowledge so detailed, I would never look at the world the same. This explains a lot of what the mainstream media's intentions are, the term "all skin folk, isn't kin folk", the flawed education system on African American's, and why certain individuals stay in the position of power. I felt all type of emotions, from angry, sad, depressed, happy, empowered, and the list goes on. This will reveal a lot and once you read it, you will read it again to take notes on how to change your life, and why you should READ a book for the better of your life and to help the next generation. I was upset that I wasn't taught this as a kid but now that I am an adult, I can teach others and that alleviated any tension I had. It will be a challenge to change your mindset and habits but once you do, you will have be happy you did. :) Thanks Anthony Browder!!!
June 21, 2015
amazing amazing book
June 1, 2014
Another great book by Anthony Browder
September 8, 2020
I could not put this book down. I have seen David Banner promoting this book for years and i finally read it. Great book and easy read for anyone wanting to know the truth about the African American experience and how the transition from African to “Negro” began. This is a book that I will be passing down to friends and family who is on the path knowledge of self.
May 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I am appreciative of the references for which some I’m going to read. I have come to embrace being a displaced African with a desire to connect with my heritage. Great book!
January 27, 2017
enjoyed each essays, really appreciated the additional resources and references after each essay. The additional reading will allow you to explore each essay more in depth
May 11, 2018
Every African American should give it a read.
June 26, 2019
Excellent Book, interesting topics and views on life, overcoming and principles.
I will pass this book onto my children after reading it one more time.
I will pass this book onto my children after reading it one more time.
April 30, 2020
Excellent book for all ages to guide you to the real truth in Aborigine history.
June 27, 2020
Anthony really opened my eyes through this piece! He sets the standard when describing “consciousness”. I feel compelled to go deeper and understand more about who I was before slavery!
September 24, 2020
This book was very interesting and I love all the topics he presented with these essays. I already have part two and I can't wait to see how he expounds on this work.
October 10, 2020
Great book and a lot of references, very concise and I loved how he suggested other books to read.
January 8, 2021
This body of work will influence those who read it to question things that they've been thought.. It's been organized well and thoughtfully written.. Plenty of insightful knowledge and a must have for those seeking truth!
February 3, 2023
FAMILY Bookclub Read.
March 24, 2021
The Browder files are for those who seek to start a journey of self education. It felt so repetitive to me as I read and studied most of all of the topics he wrote about. Because of this, it wasn’t for me. I support African scholarship so I recommend this to all my brothers and sisters who are striving to be iducated.
November 9, 2015
This book was meant to inspire people and give them hope in an environment where they are routinely marginalized. Thank to Browder’s mastery of creating persuasive culture frameworks there is also a lot within this book to learn about what people choose to believe in and how to reprogram people with compelling and robust narratives. He doesn’t just tell a story, his story is well designed to program people so that they can start telling similar stories and slowly shift their culture. Watching how he implements this reprogramming (aka reading the book) is fascinating if you keep an eye out for his particular type of creativity.
Browder provides you a different truth to choose from the narrative within which you grew up. A truth focusing on a revised heritage, karma, love of education and personal choices. Oh, and eat your vegetables. For a black person born into the projects consistently living among examples of poor choices and media caricatures of black capacity this message of empowerment could provide a reasonable alternative path from what he knows.
Browder does an excellent job of building a narrative of empowerment by using history, astrology, and etymology to advocate a doctrine of personal and collective responsibility. You could call it a selective reading of history and un-objective. I’d agree. However, focusing on the faults of the book misses the point behind the books purpose and how it makes for compelling reading. I don’t believe Browder’s explanation of why the pyramid is on the back of the dollar bill, but I love the story as a story and how it fits into his greater narrative and project of empowerment. I also don’t believe in the Bible or other mythology, but that doesn’t mean they are not worth studying for moral lessons and lessons in programming humans.
Browder isn’t a scientist, and that doesn’t matter because the rules for crafting persuasive cultures is more akin to writing good fiction than it is to discovering a new element. Unlike scientific discoveries, which are discoveries independent of the people discovering, cultures are created by groups of people that practice the culture into existence. Browder’s worth reading for his insight when giving people tools to craft an ongoing culture instead of just telling them what should be.
The 22 essays were originally published in a D.C. metro newspaper in the mid to late 80’s, so they can be a bit repetitive. However, if you are reading this book for insight into how humans craft cultures the repetition is not a defect, as it signals what Browder chooses to routinely emphasize when reprogramming people.
All this being said, there is a lot of questionable science and even implicit validation for violence. When Browder interviews MLK in a dream, MLK goes as far as saying peace may no longer be viable and “you can quote me on that”. However, this is not a reason to dismiss this book, it is very well crafted for it’s purpose – creating culture. World building makes for fun reading.
Browder provides you a different truth to choose from the narrative within which you grew up. A truth focusing on a revised heritage, karma, love of education and personal choices. Oh, and eat your vegetables. For a black person born into the projects consistently living among examples of poor choices and media caricatures of black capacity this message of empowerment could provide a reasonable alternative path from what he knows.
Browder does an excellent job of building a narrative of empowerment by using history, astrology, and etymology to advocate a doctrine of personal and collective responsibility. You could call it a selective reading of history and un-objective. I’d agree. However, focusing on the faults of the book misses the point behind the books purpose and how it makes for compelling reading. I don’t believe Browder’s explanation of why the pyramid is on the back of the dollar bill, but I love the story as a story and how it fits into his greater narrative and project of empowerment. I also don’t believe in the Bible or other mythology, but that doesn’t mean they are not worth studying for moral lessons and lessons in programming humans.
Browder isn’t a scientist, and that doesn’t matter because the rules for crafting persuasive cultures is more akin to writing good fiction than it is to discovering a new element. Unlike scientific discoveries, which are discoveries independent of the people discovering, cultures are created by groups of people that practice the culture into existence. Browder’s worth reading for his insight when giving people tools to craft an ongoing culture instead of just telling them what should be.
The 22 essays were originally published in a D.C. metro newspaper in the mid to late 80’s, so they can be a bit repetitive. However, if you are reading this book for insight into how humans craft cultures the repetition is not a defect, as it signals what Browder chooses to routinely emphasize when reprogramming people.
All this being said, there is a lot of questionable science and even implicit validation for violence. When Browder interviews MLK in a dream, MLK goes as far as saying peace may no longer be viable and “you can quote me on that”. However, this is not a reason to dismiss this book, it is very well crafted for it’s purpose – creating culture. World building makes for fun reading.
February 13, 2018
Very good book. Lots of information. I advise all to read
March 3, 2023
It was a really good book I was able to find out more about myself.
October 24, 2015
Excellent book! Every black person should read this.
June 24, 2018
Amazing.
If you want a nice dose of truth the references to back up the information I highly encourage the purchase of this book. I say purchase because you’d be remiss to not be able to access and spread this knowledge at any given moment.
Not only is it full of information in a very digestible fashion but it’s written that way purposely which makes it even better.
Do yourself a favor and pick this up whether you’re African American or not. This is truth EVERYBODY needs to digest and share.
Peace.
If you want a nice dose of truth the references to back up the information I highly encourage the purchase of this book. I say purchase because you’d be remiss to not be able to access and spread this knowledge at any given moment.
Not only is it full of information in a very digestible fashion but it’s written that way purposely which makes it even better.
Do yourself a favor and pick this up whether you’re African American or not. This is truth EVERYBODY needs to digest and share.
Peace.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews