booklistqueen's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
The author of the bestselling How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi has written the top book on the history of racist ideas in America. Covering from the Puritans and the Founding Fathers all the way to the civil rights movement and modern-day activists, Kendi shows that racist ideas and discriminatory practices have permeated American history since its inception.
If you are interested in understanding race relations in America, Stamped from the Beginning is a groundbreaking comprehensive study of the history of racist ideas in America. Showing step-by-step how racial progress is intertwined with the evolution of racist ideas, Kendi's book would be an excellent study for high school or college. "Study" being the operative word for Stamped from the Beginning is a dense read that begs for you to take notes. Some sections read like a history textbook, overflowing with names and dates, while much of the middle of the book settled into a narrative nonfiction style that was more accessible, though still taking a long time to get through.
gajeam's review against another edition
Really good but also dry but also really good but also I read only half.
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really in-depth look at the history of racism in the US. I learned so much from it. Broken up into sections of a person, it doesn’t just discuss the person from the section title but also everything what is going on around them, creating the environment they’re in. Highly recommend.
vavocado's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This is the benchmark and should be the current mandatory reading on racism in America.
waitenathan's review against another edition
5.0
Persuasive in its thesis that racist policies and practices are put in place to benefit the few, and then racist ideas come after to justify them. So the racist ball is always moving, and battling racist ideas doesn't change the root of the problem. People in power have to force changes to the policies and practices. I'm guessing some people criticize the book for presentism, since it measures historical people and events by the modern yardstick of segregationism vs. assimilationism vs. antiracism. But I found it was a useful lens to think about how history has unfolded. I don't think it was a point the author was trying to make, but few people manage to hold to pure antiracist ideas, yet positive results have come from imperfect people. I think there are times the racist lens is employed where it may not be the best explanation, and in any thesis-driven book, there will be times everything looks like a nail to your hammer, but that does not detract from the fact that this book is a stunning accomplishment.
ashaneran's review against another edition
Lost my place and it’s been months. I’ll try the YA version
chandraleereads's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars. I took off a half a star because at times the number of names/events/dates felt congested and I was wanting just a tidbit more simplification. That aside, this book is absolutely important, informative, thought provoking, challenging, and a must read (even if it takes you multiple months like it did in my case)!
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
This was so hard to read, but so important. I kept finding myself yelling at the pages, finding those points in history that we could have and should have done better and didn't because of money or power or any other stupid thing that doesn't really matter. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to move forward toward a more equitable world, but I also know that it won't be without incredibly difficult challenges.