jocelynw's review against another edition
5.0
This was the right book to finish on July 4th, in order to remember some of the ways our nation's freedom has failed to be for everyone.
calarco's review against another edition
4.0
Nell Irvin Painter is masterful in framing thought-provoking explorations of identity within comprehensive historical research. Her book "The History of White People" was an excellent examination of race as a social construct, as well as the inherent fluidity of ethnic identity in relation to ingroups and outgroups throughout Western history. With "Creating Black Americans," she is able to convey a complex history of a diverse and heterogeneous group, illustrating the variability and dynamic nature of the black experience in the United States.
Each chapter punctuates key historic events and how they impacted peoples lives and identifies. She conveys the horrifying history of enslavement and Jim Crow with accounts of resistance and highlights the agency of African American figures. Additionally, Painter's treatment of people from differing time periods with equal respect allowed for interesting insights into the impact of social movements ranging from the Civil Rights era to hip-hop culture.
While textbooks are not popular go-to reading material, this one is definitely worth reading. The format allowed for a lengthy examination from the time of the first Africans arrival to the New World up util the time of the volume's publication (2006). Furthermore, each chapter contained ample imagery that helped to convey the tone of each section of history, which included both historical images as well as artistic interpretations from other time periods. The choice of including artwork also helped to bridge stretches of time and see the ripple effects of historic events.
If you are interested in American history, identity, or just really good non-fiction, do not let the textbook format deter you from giving this volume a chance.
Each chapter punctuates key historic events and how they impacted peoples lives and identifies. She conveys the horrifying history of enslavement and Jim Crow with accounts of resistance and highlights the agency of African American figures. Additionally, Painter's treatment of people from differing time periods with equal respect allowed for interesting insights into the impact of social movements ranging from the Civil Rights era to hip-hop culture.
While textbooks are not popular go-to reading material, this one is definitely worth reading. The format allowed for a lengthy examination from the time of the first Africans arrival to the New World up util the time of the volume's publication (2006). Furthermore, each chapter contained ample imagery that helped to convey the tone of each section of history, which included both historical images as well as artistic interpretations from other time periods. The choice of including artwork also helped to bridge stretches of time and see the ripple effects of historic events.
If you are interested in American history, identity, or just really good non-fiction, do not let the textbook format deter you from giving this volume a chance.
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