In my opinion, this is one of the most important books that exist. I also love how it's written. ( )

Editors look at work by 90 different writers take on brief periods of history

Everyone should read it. I will be digging into the contributors' other work for further reading. ( )

Four hundred souls: Editors Kendi and Blain have collected in this compendious work an expansive variety of essays covering topics in African American history and arranged chronologically, beginning in 1619, when the first Africans were forcibly transported as captive chattel across the Atlantic, and continuing up to the present day. Engaging themes include ideas, moments, people, places, ethics, law, culture and, of course, racism.

Essays are rarely something I gravitate to, so I might not have picked this title up if not for the stellar review I saw lauding, specifically, the audiobook edition, which is read by a full cast of dozens. Though the subject matter is often heavy, painful and shameful, it is at the same time hugely educational and inspirational, and the audio, with its extensive assemblage of voices, was truly an experience. ( )

Oh boy, the scope of this work seems so daunting in a historical sense but the collective approach really works. Here you have an extensive collection of essays by a multitude of authors chronicling African American history all the way up to 2019. Each essay is relatively short and each writer lends their voice well to their designated period of history. I found the audiobook captivating because the authors read their own work. Well worth your time :) ( )