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Born in Blackness
- Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War
- Narrated by: James Fouhey
- Length: 16 hrs and 49 mins
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Born in Blackness
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Summary
Traditional accounts of the making of the modern world afford a place of primacy to European history. Some credit the fifteenth-century Age of Discovery and the maritime connection it established between West and East; others the accidental unearthing of the "New World." Still others point to the development of the scientific method, or the spread of Judeo-Christian beliefs; and so on, ad infinitum. The history of Africa, by contrast, has long been relegated to the remote outskirts of our global story. What if, instead, we put Africa and Africans at the very center of our thinking about the origins of modernity?
In a sweeping narrative spanning more than six centuries, Howard W. French does just that, for Born in Blackness vitally reframes the story of medieval and emerging Africa, demonstrating how the economic ascendancy of Europe, the anchoring of democracy in the West, and the fulfillment of so-called Enlightenment ideals all grew out of Europe's dehumanizing engagement with the "dark" continent. In fact, French reveals, the first impetus for the Age of Discovery was not—as we are so often told, even today—Europe's yearning for ties with Asia, but rather its centuries-old desire to forge a trade in gold with legendarily rich Black societies sequestered away in the heart of West Africa.
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What listeners say about Born in Blackness
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-09-22
Essential.
Black history that must be heard to be believed. This will reverse your view of the world.
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- Auds
- 27-08-22
History of History Books on Black Lives
An account to be read by all to complete the narratives recounted in history books.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-08-22
A tour de force!
This is French's magnum opus, very illuminative and educative! I definitely recommend it today.
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- Bill
- 13-06-22
American History World History Our History
This is truly an excellent read! French puts in perspective the bridges of history that is omitted by European and American scholars.
I’m impressed by the ethos, and visuals images that Mr. French uses to inform the reader.
Thank you Mr. French for a outstanding book, and for the time you dedicate to bringing it to fruition.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 17-05-22
maybe its the way i listen
some good factual narrative.
but i listen to the book on my commute.
maybe if i sat with a map in front of me it would have been a better experience.
i found it hard to follow because they keep naming places where events are occurring and i was unable to link the event place to the previous or next happening some place else.
i hope your experience will be better.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A. SAID
- 28-06-22
A detailed and very important history.
Mr. French has written a needed and excellent book, he is a good story teller and keeps the story interesting.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-06-22
A Profound Treatise on the Modernity
French has laid out a case for the revision of the threadbare lies that passed for world history in yesteryear. It will be great to see the fruit bear from this tree of knowledge.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jonathan N.
- 13-09-22
Important, Engaging, Informative
Great book on every mark. It should be required reading for American citizenship. Couldn't recommend enough
2 people found this helpful
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- ooa
- 21-11-22
A MUST READ Book on World History!!!
If you’re of African descent, this is one of the most important historical books you’ll come across.
Virtually every book narrates world history from the oppressor’s perspective.
For centuries, lies have been told through pseudo scholarly works and mainstream media that so called West Africans have contributed very little (if anything) to world history.
Mr. French’s painstakingly researched work is ground breaking and of great importance. He reveals the essential roles of Africans in birthing the world we know today.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 05-11-22
THE TEXTBOOK ON BLACK HISTORY
Wow! What an impressive study on the movement, and continual abuse of blackness from basically the beginning of time. All persons of privilege should be required to read and study this work. The survivors deserve our respect, and MORE!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Burnett W. Gallman
- 11-10-22
Excellent and required reading
This was an awesome book. Well researched and fully documented. Anyone with a question about enslavement can have their questions answered here.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jonnie
- 15-01-23
educational
this book is not only educational is extraordinary and says lights on so many unmistold stories. I believe this book should be in every educational institution in America, Europe, and Africa as they are all connected as one
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- Coupe DeVille
- 02-01-23
Eye Opening
This looks at the enslaved and it’s considerable complexity and contribution to the wealth of the western world is important. To not teach this is to omit this historical context is misleading because it omits the fact that Africa and African were pivotal in its founding.