Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America

Black AF History is an absolute powerhouse from start to finish. Bell Hooks’ storytelling is deeply personal yet profoundly universal—she unpacks generational trauma, resilience, and Pride with a voice that’s raw, honest, and illuminating.What I loved most:• Authentic storytelling: Hooks shares intimate family memories alongside broader historical context—her vivid recollections made me feel like I was right there with her.• Educational yet engaging: This isn’t just a memoir—it’s a lesson in American history through the lens of Black experience, told with clarity and purpose.• Emotional impact: I laughed, I teared up, and I reflected deeply on my own family history and identity.Whether you’re already familiar with Hooks or discovering her for the first time, this book is a vital read—rich in wisdom, warmth, and an unsparing truth about Black America.

As someone with a Ph.D. in Political Science, with a focus on American politics, I’m both humbled and frustrated by how much I thought I understood before reading this book. It exposed gaps in my knowledge I didn’t even know existed—gaps that this work fills with clarity, depth, and essential context. If I were still teaching at the university level, I would make it required reading. It brings history to life in a way that challenges assumptions and reshapes understanding—an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a fuller, more honest view of America.

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I am a lover of history and a lover of reading. The author clearly did his research (and gave them as suggested reading at the end of the book)Harriot did an amazing job of making the narration feel conversational. He also did very well at introducing people of the African diaspora who have been lost in the Caucasian American narrative of American history. So many people of African descent played major roles in America's "discovery", exploration, colonization, building, liberation,....essentially WE BEEN along for the ride (willingly and unwillingly).It is a must read for all ethnicities and nationalities. But I particularly would love it if more European Americans would read it.

EYE OPENER! Best history book I’ve ever read.

I can’t say enough about this book. I enjoyed the audible. Michael Harriot was hilarious. The book is well researched. I learned so many history facts. This book has me wanting to go back to college and obtain another degree. A degree in history. This book was fun to read. I laughed. I became angry and I cried. The shares his upbringing and the things that shaped him. As a fellow southerner (GA), the love he has for South Carolina is endearing.It is a truly a must read. If you care about learning true history this awesome book to have. Happy I purchased a copy for my bookshelf.

Amazing, horrific, the real truth about America. I appriciate this book being written by a Black author. America loves to paint itself as the altruistic hero, and throughout my public school education I learned such a distorted version of US History. I've been deconstructing the white supremacy of America's roots, along with religion and this book really tells it like it is. I loved it. Thank you to the author. There are questions at the end of a lot of the chapters. They're pretty obvious answers (unless yr a yt supremist), and I believe that was intentional lol. I'd recommend this book to anyone. Everyone should read this book- it should be in every HS in the US, for every History class!

I discovered Michael Harriot through his Twitter snack downs and history lessons. He predates Derek the work wear guy in that respect. Like many "melanin-challenged" Americans I often look for new Black books in February to honor Black History Month. This year I decided to go nonfiction instead of my YA fantasy of the fall.This is a dense but highly readable book. Harriot cites his sources exhaustively and also adds humorous footnotes of his own. It's like having a sarcastic uncle narrating your reading.The story follows a mostly linear path pre-Columbus through slavery, the Civil War, Jim Crow, Civil Rights, and even Obama and Trump. There are fascinating stories of many heroes we should know and villains we should know better.While this never intends to be a textbook (despite Harriot's higher ed credentials) I took off a star because there were too many digressions into personal stories. Maybe he should write a family history or memoir next? There were certainly enough stories.

An absolute must read! I have heard so many people talking about this book, that I had to get it and I was not disappointed. I assumed based on his twitter feed that the book would be full of facts, and I was not disappointed. If you are looking for a good book with true facts about black people, this is for you!