When I was working on my MA with the goal to teach history in the upper grades, I expressed my frustration to my professor. I asked where I could find the actual history of Africa. Everywhere I looked (in conventional sources, such as the university library and trade journals) it said, "See Europe". I didn't WANT to read about the colonizers. But of course, when conquerors succeed in occupying another land militarily and politically, the next thing to be done is to eradicate the culture as it exists, and to pretend there WAS no history before the conqueror arrived (aside, perhaps, from a brief reference to how bad it used to be).

Mr. Bennett gives voice to Black Americans, and to the cultures they brought with them. Through impeccable research, he has uncovered history and culture that was not readily available those many years ago. This book was published and available at almost the same time I finished my degree. I found it later when I had the luxury of being able to read what I wanted, rather than that which was assigned, and have used it to some degree in home schooling my son (though it is too difficult for most high school students). Highly readable and enormously enlightening.

Amazing book.

This is truly important reading for everyone. It is not just that African American history is important because black people were around and doing things that are often ignored in the study of mainstream history; there was a constant influence on society and history, and without understanding that our comprehension of history is complete.

I had worried about bias, but the start of the chapter on Lincoln and Jefferson is gracious, and there is a poetry that comes out there. This is not a dry history book. Other especially beautiful segments of writing include the beginning of the chapter on Reconstruction and Bennett's writings about jazz. Not only do various jazz terms make more sense now, but it makes me want to learn more about jazz, because I can see how much more there is to it now.

Showing that there is more to learn is a key function of this book. In addition to the various chapters there are handy chronological and categorical sections which allow you to see the trends in a year or time period, or pick a field of achievement. This is a great book for giving ideas on topics to study and school reports to write.

Highly recommended.

As an African American, I found this book not only very educational but also an interesting read. I expect that anyone interested in black history would enjoy it too.

Great Book! I have read previous versions. There are some new updates in this one.

The most thorough study of the African American experience I've ever read. It takes you from their life in western Africa before the slave ships arrived all the way through the Jim Crow era to their struggles and place in our society today. For any history lover who wants a full, true account of the journey African Americans have taken in our society.

an incredibly influential book for me. changed my perspective on a lot. transformational.

The title was a bit deceiving for me. I thought i would get a history of Africans in this land before the colonies, kind of like they came before columbus. This book is more of an overarching history of Africans in this country, contributions made in the early days and founding, ending with Martin Luther King Jr era. It had some interesting tidbits, and also stories that made you drop your jaw. Also, an interesting history of "race mixing" in this country, how white women were not an insignificant part in the matter, and how laws just couldn't keep the races apart

This book is a M U S T read for all! yes, it is a lil strong in its content but it all truth to how life was for a race of people whom is still classed as 2nd class! it has a real WOW factor to it but i really feel if read but our young sisters & brother today would clearly feel a lot better about themself than they do now!

Chronicles the cohabitation of Europeans and Africans in North America and corrects misconceptions and bold face fabrications that have been perpetuated by scholars throughout american history.

A rare expression of the progress of Black Life in America.

This is a profound history of the darkest days of American Raceism. After reading 1619, I realized that there is so much of American History that has passed me by during the 78 years of my life. I hold Doctorate of Religion with a background in the American Baptist Church, the Church of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. I know much of Dr King's story, but so little of the Black struggle for freedom and equality. Before the Mayflower: is a must read.

A must read. The chapter on Lincoln puts a lot of things into perspective and casts a new light on "The Great Emancipator"

Finally came to the end of this amazing historical text. I read the edition from 2007 and at times had to take a break. This was due to the anger and sadness I felt as I read and learned. This book is eye opening and I recommend everyone read it, especially white people. Going forward I now have a better understanding of how terrible it was and still can be for my friends of African American descent. While hopeful in some areas this book tells me that I need to do more to help right the wrongs forced upon African Americans from one century to the next. I think going forward I want to read all American history through the lens of African Americans, and immigrants. because for each white author's telling of history, an African American (or immigrant's, woman's) is not being told. I want to thank Mr. Lerone Bennett Jr. for his hard work and dedication in telling the story of the African American in America, a true masterpiece in my opinion.