To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ISBN 9780446310789, Grand Central Publishing, USA, 1988 An emotion evoking classic, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Follows the trial of an unfairly convicted African American man and the morally-driven Caucasian lawyer who defends his case. Set in Alabama the book is considered an iconic work of American Literature. Suitable to adults and teenagers it often forms part of high school literary studies.
Testament Of Hope: The Essential Writings And Speeches Of Martin Luther King by Martin Luther King ISBN 9780060646912, HarperOne, USA, 1991
Documents Dr Martin Luther King's speeches, writings and political philosophy. Includes the "I Have A Dream" speech. Excellent compilation for anyone interested in history, or political and social science. Gives insight into one of the most important figures' non-violent activism approach and views of human rights.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett ISBN 9780241956533, Penguin Books, UK, 2011 Skeeter, the daughter of a prominent white family embarks on a mission to expose the manner in which African American house maids are treated in Mississippi during the 60s. It becomes challenging for her to befriend and encourage Aibileen and Minny, two employees to open up. It is also a dangerous venture considering the racial volatility of the times.
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe ISBN 9780007902262, Collins Classics, Harper Press, UK, 2011
The book, though an early work, originally published in 1852, is considered to be a politically and socially influential tool, encouraging opposition to slavery and contributing to philosophy as well as action that brought about the civil war in the United States.
It is very emotive and sentimental in style, perhaps something female readers can relate to more. The story traces the suffering of Uncle Tom, a kind and morally-driven slave as well as other enslaved African American people. Themes include good versus evil, love versus hatred and endurance achieved through spirituality, humility and religion.
A must-read for its significance. Uncle Tom's Cabin is said to be the highest selling novel in contemporary history and has been translated in most languages.
Roots: The Saga Of An American Family by Alex Haley ISBN 9781593154493, Vanguard Press, USA, 2007
Highly popular literary work for its cultural, social and historical significance. The book resulted in a successful TV adaptation and is memorable for its emotive scenes. Although the author classifies his account as thoroughly researched genealogical record, with fictionalized or more accurately, recreated dialogue, scholars dispute the novel as historically improbable. They suggest that the author's resources were elderly individuals whose memory fails them. Family histories are often relied upon by spoken record however so Roots can be taken to be at least culturally important. Whatever the case, the novel captures the plight, trials and spirit of a people and it is a highly desirable piece of literature. Its reception and influence on popular culture has been of impact, understandably so.
It is without dispute an interesting and captivating account that Haley says was passed on aurally from generation to generation and covers his family's tracks from 1767 when his ancestor Kunta Kinte was sold as a slave and shipped to America out of Gambia.
Haley's language is powerful, descriptive, highly ornamental and filled with vivid imagery. As one reviewer suggests, the death rate of slaves-to-be who were forcefully taken from their fatherland and died on the ships before even reaching their destination, is enough of a shocking historical point. In the reviewer's own words Roots as a concept deals with "the history of an entire race of people whose names and identities were stolen
from them. It's hard to say if this book is fiction, history or biography, since
it reads so much like all three." The emotions Haley evokes are strong and his work should be celebrated as the endurance of the human spirit, seen in the resilience of the young Kinte and his denial to denounce his name or background.
To Sir With Love by E.R. Braithwaite ISBN 9780435121488, Series: New Windmills, Heinemann, United Kingdom, 1971
Based on true events the book describes a Guiana man's obstacles in finding work after arrival in London. His challenges are racially based, during an era when prejudice against black men was not uncommon. The hero eventually lands a job as a teacher in a rough secondary school where defiant students give him a hard time. His concern for the teenagers' welfare and his high work ethic translate into determination on his part to earn the class's respect with a somewhat unorthodox approach to teaching. The central character wins his students over, develops an outstanding relationship with them and ultimately enters a romance with a Caucasian woman, something taboo for the time.
An easy read, this literary piece is a classic and highly suitable for young adults. The novel comes to life with likeable characters that young readers will take to.
A Time To Kill by John Grisham ISBN 9780099537038, Arrow Books Ltd, GBR, 2010
Legal suspense thriller by best-selling author. Set in Mississippi the book's concept is inspired by the true story of an African American child assault. Carl Lee Hailey, 10 year old Tonya's father, shoots and kills two men who rape his daughter. An emotional account of his trial, evokes strong reaction from the reader. A heavy theme novel perhaps more suitable for mature readers.
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin ISBN 0-930324-73-0, Wings Press, TX
Foreword by Studs Terkel. Additional texts by the author. Historical photos by Don Rutledge. Afterword by Griffin biographer, Robert Bonazzi
Winner of: Saturday Review Anisfield-Wolfe Award, 1962 Pacem in terris Award (shared with John F. Kennedy), 1963 Christian Culture Gold Medal (Canada), 1966 Pan African Association Award for Humanism, 1980
A journal-like book documents the experiences of a Caucasian man in racially volatile times, travelling through the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana as a black person. Participating in an experiment that darkens his skin appearance, the writer meets with hatred and ill treatment during his journey. Prominent scenes on a bus and the reinforcement of daily difficulties like an amenities room permissible to African American people resonate long after the reader has put the book down. Highly recommended for its sociological and cultural value, the literary work still stuns 51 years after its original publication.
ISBN 9780060646912, HarperOne, USA, 1991
ISBN 9780007902262, Collins Classics, Harper Press, UK, 2011
Roots: The Saga Of An American Family by Alex Haley
Based on true events the book describes a Guiana man's obstacles in finding work after arrival in London. His challenges are racially based, during an era when prejudice against black men was not uncommon. The hero eventually lands a job as a teacher in a rough secondary school where defiant students give him a hard time. His concern for the teenagers' welfare and his high work ethic translate into determination on his part to earn the class's respect with a somewhat unorthodox approach to teaching. The central character wins his students over, develops an outstanding relationship with them and ultimately enters a romance with a Caucasian woman, something taboo for the time.
ISBN 0-930324-73-0, Wings Press, TX
Winner of: Saturday Review Anisfield-Wolfe Award, 1962 Pacem in terris Award (shared with John F. Kennedy), 1963 Christian Culture Gold Medal (Canada), 1966 Pan African Association Award for Humanism, 1980