The African-American Bookshelf: 100 Must-Reads from Before the Civil War Through Today

Much more than a cursory list of must-reads, The African-American Bookshelf provides sharp political commentary on and meaningful critiques of the classic works on subjects of interest to all Americans -- from politics and sports to the arts, and from cultural trends and civil rights to military history.Author and scholar Clifford Mason explores titles that are obscure and well-known, from the canonical (Booker T. Washington's Up From Slavery) to the radical (David Walker's Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World). Including books written by authors from the beginning of the country's history to contemporary writers (ranked from #1 to #50 in order of importance), Mason guides the reader through the highlights -- and lowlights -- of America's past.The African-American Bookshelf illustrates the contributions of black men and women to every part of the nation's history. This essential volume belongs in the library of every informed American reader and will appeal to scholars and historians as well as students of history and literature.