I must confess that I do not remember 95% of this book but I remembered how it made me feel. I felt secure, grounded, and informed. Even at that time, I knew I was absorbing only a fraction of that unprecedented information and doing so to get a good grade out of a college class.

A fascinating read, for me after 1619.

The portrayal of Booker T. Washington was very interesting.

And the passing note of Tulsa 1921.

I read a copy of the 5th edition, 1982, borrowed from Dr. Gregory Jones.

Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America (Hardcover)
by Lerone Bennett Jr.

ordered from the library this date

Black history

This is the history that was never taught in my public school. It is a well written book. This is American History!

Read this in high school..required reading in 1975! Thank you, Mr Hogan...really ahead of his time

I was shocked by the depth of this book. Very well rounded for such a short book in being able to cover a broad timeline of events.

Very detailed, thorough book on the history of African Americans the United States. I enjoyed reading a version of American history that was not sanitized by the majority. Though a good, educational read, the version I have is 689 pages long. It will take some time to get through it, but it's worth e.

A Black History Lesson

Excellent information. Very informative. At times it was very intense. So glad to know this information. It is an extremely important part of black history!

I was drafted in 1965, out of Jr. College, and when my time was up I returned to college and Graduated in 1970. I have always been a lover of history and was fortunate enough to have a professor suggest I read Before the Mayflower, first edition. This book is the best history book I have ever read. As a white man, who supports all races, this book opened my eyes and moved me so very much. I highly recommend not only people of color but whites as well read this wonderful history of our country.

I am sorry I never met Mr. Bennett as would loved to have shaken his hand and say THANK YOU! I will now order the latest update to read and hope it keeps the same emotion and theme that the first edition presented.

Great read!

I only read the first chapter entitled "The African Past" because that was what I was interested in. Since the purpose of the book was to discuss the history of black America, it went into little detail about the African past, but it was good at least to break open this well-known African-American historical account.