CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES

ALL ABOUT THE BEAT

by John McWhorter

A sharp pin with which to pop the bloviating balloon of self-important cultural mandarins. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

NONFICTION

BEST AFRICAN AMERICAN ESSAYS: 2009

edited by Debra J. Dickerson & Gerald Early

A cracking good read, something that all too few essay anthologies manage to be. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

LIFE UPON THESE SHORES

by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

A striking, comprehensive guide to the breadth and depth of African-American history. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS

by Isabel Wilkerson

An impressive take on the Great Migration, and a truly auspicious debut. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

CHILDREN OF FIRE

by Thomas C. Holt

A story many readers have heard before, but one rarely rendered with such eloquence. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES

AMERICAN PATRIOTS

by Gail Buckley

A study, Buckley writes, that was 14 years in the making—and it shows. Well-written, vigorous, and aptly titled, this... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE BLACK HISTORY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

by Clarence Lusane

A lively, opinionated survey, telling a story that the textbooks too often overlook. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

THE BRIDGE

by David Remnick

Remnick’s fluent writing makes this expansive, significant book move along swiftly. Readers will look forward to the sequel,... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

MALCOLM X

by Manning Marable

A bold, sure-footed, significant biography of enormous depth and feeling. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

WAITING ’TIL THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

by Peniel E. Joseph

Vividly illuminates the personalities and politics of a turbulent time. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

ROUGH CROSSINGS

by Simon Schama

An important contribution to the history of the Revolution, and of slavery in America. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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