Reviews
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X. Kendi
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
5.0
What an eye-opening and insightful read. I learned a lot about our country's history that I didn't know. I'm glad to know that there is a young readers edition so kids can start learning about our true history.
snchard's review against another edition
5.0
So, this book is on every single anti-racist reading list in existence. While many of the other "required reading" books start by coddling the reader and gradually exposing us to the idea of systemic racism, this is a straight-up history textbook. It is far more fact than narrative, and it assumes the reader is at least vaguely familiar with American history and the concept of racist as an adjective rather than a noun. This is absolutely an important book, and it might even be the best book about the history of American racism. It's also absolutely not the first book I would recommend to someone who is just starting to pursue anti-racism, especially White Progressives of a Certain Age who tend to read through these lists with open minds and closed hearts.
bethebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
This wasn't an easy read...but I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into and grow in understanding of racist ideas, their history, and their modern incarnations. For me as a white woman it had a lot of eye opening information, but I think it would be a valuable read for anyone trying to unpack to their understanding of racism in the United States.
oddly's review against another edition
5.0
Required reading for all of humanity, and a book I'll be coming back to again and again for the rest of my life.
leahsbooks's review
5.0
This was an incredibly educational book that opened my eyes to a lot of misinformation that has been accepted as fact throughout history as well as in present-day society.
While I normally fly through books, I slowed down and took my time with this one. It was a little dry and read like more of a history text at times, but presented so much information (and the factual evidence to back up the claims). I actually didn't mind the way it was presented, and wound up appreciating the thorough and methodical way that everything was laid out.
Starting from the earliest days of the slave trade, and very gradually working its way up to current events, Ibram X. Kendi educates his readers on the complex interplay of moral, religious, economic, social, and political factors and justifications that come together when discussing slavery, race, and discrimination.
A lot of the information presented was new to me. I had already realized prior to picking up this book that my education skipped over a lot of Black history, but I had no idea how much was glossed over. This was an important read for me, and while it wasn't easy, it was definitely worth the effort. It's important for all of us to make the effort to educate ourselves, especially since our schools aren't doing it, and put in the work to fight racism.
While I normally fly through books, I slowed down and took my time with this one. It was a little dry and read like more of a history text at times, but presented so much information (and the factual evidence to back up the claims). I actually didn't mind the way it was presented, and wound up appreciating the thorough and methodical way that everything was laid out.
Starting from the earliest days of the slave trade, and very gradually working its way up to current events, Ibram X. Kendi educates his readers on the complex interplay of moral, religious, economic, social, and political factors and justifications that come together when discussing slavery, race, and discrimination.
A lot of the information presented was new to me. I had already realized prior to picking up this book that my education skipped over a lot of Black history, but I had no idea how much was glossed over. This was an important read for me, and while it wasn't easy, it was definitely worth the effort. It's important for all of us to make the effort to educate ourselves, especially since our schools aren't doing it, and put in the work to fight racism.
jenibus's review against another edition
5.0
A difficult but important read. It was both eye opening and unsurprising how rooted in racist ideals modern systems and injustices are. Like... I was tangentially aware of the history of certain things, like the modern day slavery in our prison system, but seeing it laid bare and in the light was still jarring to me as a white person who doesn't deal with these racist ideals on a daily basis. It took a long time to get through, but was important all the same.
timbo001's review against another edition
4.0
An illuminating and indepth history looking at the particulars of racism within the frame of five people intimately involved: Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Angela Davis. The concluding chapter on Obama's election was somewhat glossed, as is to be expected in a work so broad and wide-ranging, since we don't yet know what the historical impact of that election might be.
politemike's review against another edition
5.0
This book changed my understanding of the country I live in, and that has defined me. At first, I felt afraid to question any of Kendi’s assertions, but I realized that this fear was doing a disservice to the book. This is an immense and authoritative work, and as I began to think critically about the interpretations of each historical moment in America, I found myself engaging in a deep heart-to-heart with the author. Here and there, I felt a small claim was slightly under-substantiated, but it felt right to question every last point. The epilogue, debunking the three major approaches that have been used to combat racism, carries a particularly concentrated gravitas. But, really, the entire book matters deeply to our moment. As intellectually rigorous and blatantly well-researched as this work is, most of all I felt the heartfullness and spiritual journeying Kendi allows us to witness and invites us to be part of. While I am not a policy maker, I have to say that Kendi has educated me in a meaningful way, and that this, in contrast with the epilogue’s idea that educational persuasion is a fool’s errand when it comes to overhauling discrimination, still feels worthwhile and part of the greater effort.