13 best african american books

African American literature encompasses a rich and diverse body of work that addresses a wide range of social and political issues within the realm of social sciences. These books play a crucial role in exploring and critiquing the African American experience, addressing themes related to identity, race, history, politics, and social justice. Here are some notable African American books related to social sciences and politics:

  1. "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois (1903): Du Bois's seminal work is a collection of essays that examines the African American experience in the United States. He discusses topics such as double consciousness, racial prejudice, and the importance of education in addressing social and political inequality.

  2. "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015): Coates's book is a letter to his teenage son that reflects on the realities of being Black in America. He explores issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and the struggle for civil rights, offering a personal and thought-provoking perspective.

  3. "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Malcolm X and Alex Haley (1965): This autobiography traces the life of Malcolm X, a prominent civil rights activist. It delves into his transformation from a criminal to a political leader, his advocacy for Black empowerment, and his critique of the American racial system.

  4. "Sister Outsider" by Audre Lorde (1984): Audre Lorde's collection of essays and speeches explores issues related to race, gender, and sexuality. Her work has been influential in discussions about intersectionality and social justice.

  5. "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander (2010): This book examines the mass incarceration of Black Americans and its impact on racial inequality in the United States. Alexander argues that the criminal justice system effectively perpetuates racial discrimination.

  6. "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson (2010): Wilkerson's book tells the story of the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans left the South for Northern and Western cities in search of better opportunities.It provides insights into the social and political implications of this mass movement.

  7. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison (1987): This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the lasting trauma of slavery and its impact on African American identity. It delves into themes of motherhood, freedom, and the legacy of history.

  8. "Ain't we a Woman?" by bell hooks (1981): In this feminist classic, bell hooks examines the intersection of race, gender, and class in the lives of Black women. She critiques both racism within the feminist movement and sexism within the civil rights movement.

These books offer valuable insights into the social and political issues facing African Americans and contribute to a deeper understanding of the African American experience in the United States.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best african american books on the market
  

Black History 1619-2019: An Illustrated and Documented African-American History

Paragon House Publishers

Based on 34 reviews Check latest price

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

Flatiron Books: An Oprah Book

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Life After Death: A Novel

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019

One World

Based on 351 reviews Check latest price

It's Not All Downhill from Here: A Novel

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty

St. Martin's Press

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A.

Rockridge Press

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Product features

Queen Nzinga

A 17-century African ruler, she is best remembered for setting her people free from slavery.

Jackie Robinson

He was the first African American player in Major League Baseball. His use of nonviolence as a means for change opened the door for others.

Barbara Jordan

This groundbreaking politician, activist, and educator was the first African American person elected to Congress from the Deep South.

Mae Jemison

She’s an astronaut, physician, engineer, and professor. She was the first black woman to travel to space.

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (National Book Award Winner)

Bold Type Books

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price

Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority

Smiley Books

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club): A Novel

Based on 11 reviews Check latest price

Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope

IVP Academic

Based on 770 reviews Check latest price

African-Americans Who Shaped American History (100 Series)

Bluewood Books

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race

Basic Books

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

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