Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92425 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 512 pages

Synopsis
Three classics of African-American literature come to life in a timeless anthology that includes Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. Dubois's The Souls of Black Folk, and James Weldon Johnson's An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Reissue.

Customer Reviews

Cheap, durable, interesting
This book encompasses a wide range of experiences and attitudes shared by African-Americans from Emanicipation through Reconstruction and into the 20th century as articulated by the greatest figures of the time. What's better, for the cheap amongst us (I include myself in this), it sells for a very low price given that includes 3 great classics. Plus, it's good to take traveling as it comes in a compact but durable paperback. Essential reading for anyone interested in African-American history. Up from Slavery however stands by itself as essential reading for everyone. Booker T. Washington writes not as a great 'Negro' American, or even simply as a great American, but as a great humanitarian. It is an inspiring text, outstanding even next to the culture bomb that is The Souls of Black Folks. The second book reads like poetry or classical literature because the author was such a well educated man and, unlike Up From Slavery, reads from a distinctly Negro standpoint. In my opinion, it is a little overwritten and drags in the middle but still a very good read. The last, Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, puts a much more personal humanity into the volume. Its is much less political, focusing on the various incidents that make up a life lived in the shadow of the politics of colour, rather than a comment or analysis of such politics. All in all Three Negro Classics reaches for the breadth of African-American experience, and considering there are only 3 books, covers it very well.

Absolutely fantastic collection of books, couldn't be better
I would recommend this book if you have any interest in American history. the variety of the stories is intense and it really opens your eyes to the events whcih really happened a century ago.

A pleasant surprise
This was an impulse buy by a middle aged white man who did not know anything about this literature! It was a pleasant surprise once past the introduction & into the prose, the stories stand up alone but the revelation is in the 3 together. The former slave his struggle for an education, life work in the southern USA and campaigning writings with an eye on his white readership. The contrast of some one who never had been a slave & spent most of his life in the north with the confidence to express his anger. All wrapped up with a morality tail that ties it all together highlighting the absurdity of racism tragic in its corrosion of society to the detriment of all.