Black Bible Chronicles: From Genesis to the Promised Land/Book One - Softcover

McCary, P. K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 156977000X ISBN 13: 9781569770009

Publisher: African Amer Family Pr, 1993

Synopsis

...vivid and forceful, it is also charming...people of every racial and ethnic background might benefit from reading this lively retelling of the stories DSAndrew Greeley, People Magazine

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-Using contemporary urban slang, this unusual book retells a selection of stories from the first five books of the Old Testament. Stories from Genesis occupy half of the book; later chapters translate into ordinary language the various laws and counsel handed down by the Almighty. McCary abridges and retells the stories, but does not reinterpret them. (He does not, for instance, argue that the original Egyptians and Israelites were black, nor does he relate slavery in Egypt to the African-American experience). Many of the stories feature violence and sex, including incest, and the language is frank. This may attract some readers, and strike others as blasphemous. In any case, the book is certain to inspire controversy and discussion. Unfortunately, the use of slang is often inconsistent. Some of the expressions are already dated, and others are certain to date with the passage of time. A book such as The Way (Tyndale Pr, 1984), although it is written in mainstream, contemporary English, may better accomplish the goals enunciated in Andrew Young's foreword for this volume.
Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Siena College Library, Loudonville, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Black Bible Chronicles is an abridged audio edition of the best-selling book of the same title (American Family, 1993) that paraphrases the first five books of the Old Testament in black vernacular. It is a combination of urban street talk and 1990s street slang. Interpreter P.K. McCary's attempt "to make the Bible more relevant and meaningful and to empower today's kids with one of the greatest messages on earth" is successful on all fronts. Acclaimed actor Ben Vereen reads wonderfully, and his captivating rendition-that of a black preacher employing a staccato rap rhythm-is appropriate and entertaining. Vereen remarks that "this interpretation gives our youth a way to relate to God." Recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with collections in African American studies.
Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: African Amer Family Pr
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 156977000X
• ISBN 13: 9781569770009
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192