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ekruzel's review against another edition
5.0
Essential, devasting reading of the true history of racism. This needs to be in our history books and classrooms everywhere, but isn't.
Kendi delivers us the education we need, to even begin to understand the racial underpinnings of where we find ourselves today.
Kendi delivers us the education we need, to even begin to understand the racial underpinnings of where we find ourselves today.
thekatiefu's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I’m normally a fiction reader; it’s definitely my preference.
This reads somewhat like a textbook, so I really struggled through it—even on audiobook. That said, I did learn a lot, and the history within is extremely comprehensive.
This reads somewhat like a textbook, so I really struggled through it—even on audiobook. That said, I did learn a lot, and the history within is extremely comprehensive.
dargan18's review against another edition
3.0
There is certainly a lot of important, interesting history in this book, but wow is it a slog to get through. There are a lot of powerful points in here: how racist ideas were created to justify racist policies/practices (not the other way around), how racist ideas have persisted and evolved over time, how many ideas/programs aimed at righting racial wrongs are actually deeply racist/assimilationist, how change must come at a systems and policies level, not just an individual level.
That said, Kendi sums up his main points in the prologue and epilogue, and the 500 pages in between is supporting arguments by way of history. I can see this being a great text for a history class, but I wouldn't recommend it for the average reader. Obviously, the history is important context for where we are today, how racist thought has evolved, and what tactics don't work to combat it. But, as other people have stated in their reviews, I doubt anyone who doesn't already agree with his takeaways is going to take the time to read this.
That said, Kendi sums up his main points in the prologue and epilogue, and the 500 pages in between is supporting arguments by way of history. I can see this being a great text for a history class, but I wouldn't recommend it for the average reader. Obviously, the history is important context for where we are today, how racist thought has evolved, and what tactics don't work to combat it. But, as other people have stated in their reviews, I doubt anyone who doesn't already agree with his takeaways is going to take the time to read this.
shannonscotteditorauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I am generally not a fan of nonfiction books, but in the wake of everything that's been happening in this country basically since i became an adult nearly 20 years ago, I felt this was a book I needed to read, no matter how long it might take me. Dr. Ibram Kendi....I don't have the words for the depth and breadth of knowledge he imparts in this book. There's literally something new to learn on every page. And as much as I wanted to take my time with it, because it's so intellectually heavy, there were times where I couldn't put it down, because the history of this country is unbelievably complex and beautiful and horrific. I would recommend this to every single adult in this country, and even high schoolers. This should be on syllabi across the nation, from high school and up.
dortcholivia61's review against another edition
Had to return to the library and wasn’t focused on reading it like I needed to
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.