The 1619 Project is a new origin story for the United States, one that takes into account the central role of slavery in shaping our country. Written by Nikole Hannah-Jones, one of America’s most acclaimed journalists covering racial injustice, this ambitious and groundbreaking work tells the story not only of black Americans but also of how white supremacy has shaped every aspect of American society. From Jamestown to Trump Tower, The 1619 Project features stunning original reporting and vanguard perspectives on history, economics, literature and law from some of our most exciting thinkers: Ta-Nehisi Coates covers Hugo Black; Vijay Iyer looks at Ferguson from 1500 perspective; Robin D.G. Kelley explores Emancipation Day; Sarah Banet-Weiser unpacks advertising while Rebecca Solnit reexamines California gold Rush as antebellum slave traders transform into free enterprise capitalists & more…
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who wants to better understand the history of the United States, and how racism has influenced every aspect of our society. It’s a great read for anyone interested in learning more about American politics and social sciences.
Pros :
- This book tells an origin story for the United States that is long overdue.
- It is written by one of America’s most acclaimed journalists, Nikole Hannah-Jones.
- The 1619 Project features stunning original reporting and vanguard perspectives on history, economics, literature and law from some of our most exciting thinkers.
Cons :
- The 1619 Project is a long and dense read that may be too heavy for some readers.
- The book lacks images or illustrations to break up the text.
- It can be difficult to keep track of all of the different perspectives presented in the book.
Learn more about the author
Nikole Hannah-Jones is an award-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times Magazine. She has also been published in The Atlantic, ProPublica, and other outlets. A frequent public speaker on race and inequality, she is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and several national awards for her journalism.
Reader Reviews
“Nikole Hannah-Jones offers a fresh and compelling exploration of the legacy of slavery in America. This important book should be required reading for everyone who wants to understand our nation’s history – and its future.”
“This is required reading in classrooms and for anyone who wants to understand the United States of America.”
“This landmark work by one of our most perceptive and courageous journalists offers a powerful new way to understand America’s origins—and the persistent legacy of racism that still plagues us today. Anyone who wants to know where we came from, and why so many things haven’t changed since then, needs to read The 1619 Project.”
“This is a landmark work, the kind of history we so desperately need at this time. It not only shifts our understanding of American origins but also provides us with a model for how to write about race in the twenty-first century.”
