13 Books That Every African-American Should Have In His/Her Home

by Anthony Jerrod

As the late British scholar and writer C.S. Lewis once stated, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it.  It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.”  Indeed, throughout history, humanity has been blessed to explore beautiful expressions of excellent writers such as Herman Melville, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Virginia Woolf, Robert Frost, Pablo Neruda, George Santayana, Frantz Fanon, T.S. Eliot, Anton Chekhov, Walt Whitman and Jhumpa Lahiri.

Oftentimes, rich literary treasures are not associated with writers of African descent, but objective evidence has shown and continues to denote that some of the world’s finest books have evolved from the minds of black authors. Whether fiction or non-fiction, these writings have been important not only as poignant reflections of reality, but also as interesting opportunities for cross-cultural understanding.

The following books represent 13 of the best works of African-American  non-fiction.  Americans, regardless of ethnicity, gender or religion stand to gain a great deal from these enriching and empowering texts.

The Miseducation of the Negro – Carter G. Woodson

Written by the founder of Negro History Week (later to be expanded and renamed as Black History Month), The Miseducation of the Negro is a classic work in which Dr. Woodson critiques an antiquated and propagandist education system that left many blacks unable to think for themselves, uplift their race and solve problems confronting their community.  Dr. Woodson strongly believed that “miseducated” African-Americans should learn to become self-reliant  and sacrifice for the progress of their people, in lieu of seeking higher paying jobs and becoming dependent on their oppressors.

The Souls of Black Folk

by W.E.B. Dubois

Known as one of America’s most profound work in the field of sociology, The Souls of Black Folk contains essays that primarily focus on Dubois’ experience as an African-American in the larger American society.  In this seminal book, Dubois discusses the right to vote, classical and industrial education, equality, justice, the impacts of segregation and discrimination, and the need for improvement relative to the Black church.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass

Written by one of America’s most outstanding statesmen, orators and abolitionists, this book offers a graphic depiction of slavery.   Douglass chronicles the death of his mother, his pursuit of literacy, travels and ultimately, his freedom.  Through all of the brutality, harsh treatment and monumental struggles, Douglass’ narrative emphasizes the importance helping others even one is oppressed.

Up From Slavery

by Booker T. Washington

This autobiographical work details Washington’s childhood as a slave and takes the reader on a journey through his struggles and trials.  He earned an education at Hampton University, established Tuskegee University and other schools, and became a philanthropist.  Importantly, Washington’s book touches on the need for industrial education, learning new skills, working hard, pride and dignity.

Thomas and Beulah

by Rita Dove

Written by the second African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry,  Thomas and Beulah is a critical collection exploring love, death, pain, marriage, courtship and motherhood.  The book is separated into two halves with the first half expressed from the viewpoint of Dove’s grandfather (Thomas in the book), and the second from that of her grandmother (Beulah in the book).

Annie Allen

by Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize, penned this seminal collection of poetry that chronicles the life of an African-American girl named Annie.  The book, via the sonnet-ballad technique, details Annie’s life as a daughter, wife and mother and touches upon racism, death, loneliness, poverty and romance.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

and Maya Angelou

Written by one of America’s most critically acclaimed authors and poets, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings remains one of the most widely read works in academic settings.  In this autobiographical work, Angelou critiques racism and discusses dignity, independence and family — oftentimes, in metaphorical form.  Although criticized and banned in some localities for its graphic depictions, this profound work continues to be a bestseller and an extremely important literary gem.

The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes

by Langston Hughes

A collection of approximately 868 poems written by the writer known as poet laureate of Black America, the second greatest popular poet since Walt Whitman and the Harlem Renaissance’s most influential figure.   In addition to some of Hughes’ most famous poems, such as “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “I, Too, Sing America,” “Let America Be America Again,” “Montage of a Dream Deferred,” and “Mother to Son,” this collection also includes nearly 300 poems that never appeared in book form, as well as verse for children.

Africana

by Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates

This outstanding encyclopedic work details the achievements and history of the African diaspora.  Africana covers a full gamut of topics including history, literature, dance, religion, music and politics.  Indeed, this critical work intimates just how influential Africa and her descendants have been in shaping the world in which we live.

From Slavery to Freedom

by John Hope Franklin

Though not as expansive as Africana, Franklin’s seminal work also covers the African-American and African experience in shaping and defining the larger human experience.  From Slavery to Freedom, which has sold over 3 million copies since its initial publishing in 1947, covers wide-ranging topics including ancient African civilization, African intellectual centers, medicine, literature, music, the slave trade and civil rights.

God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse

by James Weldon Johnson

Known as one of the most influential figures during the Harlem Renaissance and the writer of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” James Weldon Johnson is perhaps best known for his poetry collection, God’s Trombones.  In this critically acclaimed collection, Johnson paints the Christian and African-American experience in seven prolific and emotion-filled sermons. “The Crucifixion,” “The Prodigal Son,” and “Go Down Death” have been arguably noted as three of the most moving and powerful poems ever penned.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

by Malcolm X with Alex Haley

This collaborative work chronicles the life of activist Malcolm X.  It covers his childhood, criminal involvement, subsequent incarceration, ministry with Elijah Muhammad, departure from the Nation of Islam, subsequent conversion to orthodox Sunni Islam, Mecca pilgrimage and assassination.  This critical writing is rich and profound in its review of spiritual conversion and philosophy.

Black Boy

by Richard Wright

Also known for his classic works Native Son and Uncle Tom’s Children, Richard Wright’s autobiographical work, Black Boy, chronicles his troubled childhood and family, harsh experiences with racism, atheistic and communist beliefs, eventual departure from communism and ultimate hunger for life.