Discover books similar to "They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America"
Ivan Van Sertima
They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America
4.48
"They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America" by Ivan Van Sertima is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking study that challenges traditional narratives of pre-Columbian history. The book argues that African explorers and settlers had visited and even lived in the Americas long before Christopher Columbus's famous voyage in 1492. Van Sertima presents a wealth of evidence to support his thesis, including archaeological findings, linguistic connections, and cultural parallels between African and Native American societies. He examines the Olmec civilization of Mexico, which he believes was influenced by African visitors, and offers compelling evidence for the presence of African people in ancient America. The book is well-researched and meticulously documented, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of the Americas. Van Sertima's writing is clear and accessible, making the book's complex ideas and arguments easy to understand for a general audience. However, the book has also been met with criticism from some scholars who question the validity of Van Sertima's evidence and interpretations. Despite this, "They Came Before Columbus" remains an influential and important work that has sparked much debate and discussion in the fields of history, anthropology, and archaeology. Overall, "They Came Before Columbus" is a fascinating and challenging book that offers a fresh perspective on the history of the Americas. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring alternative narratives of pre-Columbian history and the diverse cultural exchanges that have shaped our world...
List of books similar to "They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America":
Cheikh Anta Diop
The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality
This classic work of scholarship argues that ancient Egypt was a black African civilization, and that its achievements have been systematically downplayed or ignored by Western historians. This book is a good choice for readers of 'They Came Before Columbus' as it challenges traditional narratives about the origins of civilization and the role of African peoples in world history.
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Lerone Bennett Jr.
Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America
This book provides a comprehensive history of African Americans in the United States, from the arrival of the first slaves in Jamestown to the present day. This book is a good choice for readers of 'They Came Before Columbus' as it sheds light on the long and complex history of African peoples in the Americas, and highlights their contributions to American culture and society.
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C.L.R. James
The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution
This book tells the story of the Haitian Revolution, led by the black general Toussaint L'Ouverture, and its impact on the French colonial empire and the wider world. This book is a good choice for readers of 'They Came Before Columbus' as it highlights the agency and resistance of African peoples in the face of colonialism and slavery, and their contributions to the struggle for freedom and equality.
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Isabel Wilkerson
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
This book tells the story of the Great Migration, the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and West in the 20th century. This book is a good choice for readers of 'They Came Before Columbus' as it provides a historical context for the ongoing struggles and achievements of African Americans in the United States, and highlights the resilience and creativity of black communities in the face of adversity.
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W.E.B. Du Bois
The Souls of Black Folk
This classic work of African American literature explores the experiences of black people in America at the turn of the 20th century, and the challenges they faced in the struggle for equality and freedom. This book is a good choice for readers of 'They Came Before Columbus' as it provides a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of African American life, and highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and dignity.
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