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Summary
Summary
From the ancient kingdom of Kush, whose black pharaohs ruled Egypt for nearly a century, to the sixteenth-century empire of the Kongo, whose emperor was so powerful he was able to halt the trade in slaves for a number of years, the African continent rang with a series of glorious civilizations that have had a lasting impact on the world's history, and on American culture. James Haskins and Floyd Cooper have won numerous awards for their books for young people, including several Coretta Scott King Honor awards. This groundbreaking book is their first collaboration. Index. Bibliography. All ages.
Consultants on this book were Dr. John Henrik Clarke, noted scholar of black history, and Dr. Enid Schildkrout, curator of anthropology, The American Museum of Natural History.
Author Notes
Author Jim Haskins was born in Demopolis, Alabama on September 19, 1941. He received a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1960, a B.S. from Alabama State University in 1962, and a M.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1963. After graduation, he became a special education teacher in a public school in Harlem. His first book, Diary of a Harlem School Teacher, was the result of his experience there. He taught at numerous colleges and universities before becoming an English professor at the University of Florida, Gainesville in 1977.
He wrote more than 100 books during his lifetime, ranging from counting books for children to biographies on Rosa Parks, Hank Aaron and Spike Lee. He won numerous awards for his work including the 1976 Coretta Scott King Award for The Story of Stevie Wonder, the 1984 Coretta Scott King Award for Lena Horne, the 1979 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for Scott Joplin: The Man Who Made Ragtime; and the 1994 Washington Post Children's Book Guide Award. He also won the Carter G. Woodson Award for young adult non-fiction for Black Music in America; The March on Washington; and Carter G. Woodson: The Man Who Put "Black" in American History in 1989, 1994, and 2001, respectively. He died from complications of emphysema on July 6, 2005 at the age of 63.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3 UpÄThis informative picture book is a handsomely illustrated overview of Africa's ancient empires. From thousands of years ago when the Sahara was green and fertile, to the peak of the African slave trade in the late 1700's, many cultures flourished. Readers learn that Egypt was once ruled by the Kushites, whose kings were shown in temple and tomb depictions as black pharaohs. European explorers and exploiters ignored the continent's past in their preoccupation with treasure. The slaves who survived the brutal journey of the Middle Passage brought with them their rich oral history and traditions, eventually blending elements of their cultures with those of the New World in North, Central, and South America. There is just enough information in the text to leave children curious to learn more about these ancient empires, and the extensive bibliography points to more detailed sources. Cooper's understated paintings in muted colors effectively convey a feeling of strength and power. His oil wash on boards technique gives a textured antique appearance to the beautiful double-page spreads. A stunning introduction to African history.ÄEunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Long before there were slave ships heading to the New World with human cargo from Africa, the continent was home to several advanced societies. Full-page illustrations accompany the brief, cogent selections about communities and kingdoms that flourished from 3800 B.C.E. to C.E. 1800, and were peopled with warriors, scientists, physicians, goldsmiths, and more. This introductory information will whet readers' interest. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK Fall 1998, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Beginning with the pre-dynastic Nubian culture, Haskins (see review, above) covers the successive rise and fall of Saharan and sub-Saharan empires and major cities between 3800 B.C. and A.D. 1665, then veers away from the political and economic history for three paragraphs (actually a long caption accompanying an unidentified performer) about ""Music and Dance,"" a similar essay on ""Art and Religion,"" and a lengthier, broad account of ""Slavery and Colonization."" The bibliography is better than perfunctory, but neither the map, which has no political boundaries, nor the timeline, which refers to people and cultures not covered in the text, are particularly helpful. This sumptuously packaged first volume in a projected series makes a strong first impression, but those seeking very specific interpretations of the text won't find it in Cooper's golden-hazed paintings, which are strongly atmospheric but less rewarding on cultural and historical details. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 3^-7. Although books about ancient Egypt generally are available in abundance, titles dealing with other African civilizations have been much more difficult to find. In this handsomely designed picture book for older readers, the authors begin with Nubia around the year 3800 B.C. and continue surveying the cultures (including Egyptian) in chronological order, covering 11 in all. Separate sections on music and dance, the spread of Islam, slavery, trade with Europeans, and art and religion are also included, along with milestones and a bibliography. The oil-and-wash paintings, which reflect Cooper's exceptional ability to capture people's faces, portray the varied cultures with dignity and spirit. Both the authors and the artist have done their research, but as Haskins notes in the introduction, the book is "only a glimpse." It is a place to begin. --Susan Dove Lempke