pagesofpins's review against another edition
5.0
Ambitious in scope, and completely different than the comprehensive history book I thought it would be. Instead, each author offers an essay on a small chunk of American history, what it meant then and what it means now. African Americans literally telling their own history in short essays and poems.
catmumm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
5.0
hannaslibrary's review against another edition
Putting this down at 34%. This is a really beautiful story but felt too much like a history textbook for me to want to pick up recently. I do plan to finish at some point
kellyhook_readsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This Nonfiction November review will stick with me long after November has passed. FOUR HUNDRED SOULS: A Community History of African America is a rich compilation of authors, poets, and historians that tells the chronological history Black America from 1619 to 2019. The voices of the people captured in this tome are ones that history has overlooked. These pages amplify Black voices and stories that history can suppress, but not erase.
At times this book felt like work, and that is a good thing. This work is heart-softening and mind-opening. It’s necessary work that incites change in my own unconscious bias and informs the way I raise my children.
Over the course of months, I read this book in print and audio. The full cast audio narration breathes life and humanity into these powerful stories. Reading a chapter a day gave me time and space to process in a thoughtful way, and I'd highly recommend this format.
I am thankful for #ownvoice authors who continue to offer up their written words and emotional labor to celebrate their history and educate me in the process.
RATING: 5/5
At times this book felt like work, and that is a good thing. This work is heart-softening and mind-opening. It’s necessary work that incites change in my own unconscious bias and informs the way I raise my children.
Over the course of months, I read this book in print and audio. The full cast audio narration breathes life and humanity into these powerful stories. Reading a chapter a day gave me time and space to process in a thoughtful way, and I'd highly recommend this format.
I am thankful for #ownvoice authors who continue to offer up their written words and emotional labor to celebrate their history and educate me in the process.
RATING: 5/5
pamiverson's review against another edition
5.0
400 years of African American history, told in five-year segments by a variety of authors, scholars, poets, etc. Speaks to the horrors people have experienced, and also their resilience and determination. New stories and familiar stories retold. It was particularly powerful listening to different voices.
karlynrose's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
robdawgreads's review against another edition
4.0
This should become a regular book assigned for US history classes in high schools and universities across the country. I love how it is organized in 5 year segments and that it is written by so many authors! It is very digestible and definitely worth a read or listen!
whitneydziurawiec's review against another edition
4.0
Really phenomenal book. I loved the varying voices for each time period. A must-read for anyone grappling with where we find ourselves today as a nation.