The African Americans

A visual portrait of the African-American experience integrates 270 vivid photographs, enlightening historical discussions, and contemporary profiles and reportage to provide an incisive understanding of African-American culture. 100,000 first printing. $150,000 ad/promo.

How can one book celebrate the achievements of a group as creative, vibrant, diverse, and successful as the African American community? By making both obvious and unexpected choices when selecting people to honor, and by hoping that these noteworthy individuals will remind readers of still other remarkable men and women, past and present. The editors, Collins, an African American business and community leader, and Cohen, the director of the Day in the Life series of photography books, have embraced the African American experience from a historical perspective, drawing on such collections as that of the Schomburg Center of the New York Public Library for archival photographs. For contemporary portraits, they have commissioned a fleet of top photojournalists. The striking photographs and poignant commentary are organized into chapters focusing on various endeavors, including community service, education, religion, law, science, business, medicine, sports, and the arts. Whether the photographs pay homage to celebrities or "everyday heroes," the message of pride is the same. An excellent book for Black History Month displays. Donna Seaman

In strong color photographs, this celebration of black achievement portrays educators, politicians, preachers, and numerous other figures, offering brief biographies detailing their claims to fame. With both contemporary and historical profiles, this volume includes ordinary people who have made significant contributions to society interspersed with well-known artists, filmmakers, movie stars, and authors. There are a number of firsts: the first black to hold the nation's top military position (Colin Powell); the first African American woman to pass the bar in Mississippi (Marian W. Edelman); the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated television program (Oprah Winfrey); and the first African American mayor of America's largest city (David Dinkins). Highly recommended for photography and African American studies collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/93.
- Ann Burns, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.