Black History Month USA

black history month

Black History Month is an opportunity to promote awareness of black American history and provides the chance for everyone to learn about the rich and diverse history of black Americans, and to recognize the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.  

Some of the notable figures and events highlighted during Black History Month include abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement are also front and center this month.  

Some of the notable figures and events highlighted during Black History Month include abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement are also front and center this month.  

We’d like to help support this by highlighting Black History literature. We also have a list of eBooks and audiobooks written by talented black British and American writers.  

  • An important piece of black history, with many ebook editions gathering upwards of 3000 reviews on Amazon  ‘Up From Slavery’ by Booker T Washington 
  • This enthralling, poignant book is an extraordinary piece of American history – â€˜Behind the Scenes’ by Elizabeth Keckley 
  • Those familiar with Harriet Jacobs’ â€˜Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl’ will like this novel! – â€˜Lola Leroy’ by Ellen Watkins Harper 

Download the full title list below.

For those interested in the history of slavery and the American Civil War, ‘Up from Slavery’ is the autobiography from American eudcator Booker T. Washington in which he describes his experiences of living as an enslaved child during the Civil War.

Washington overcame many obstacles to get an education and throughout his autobiography, he gratefully reflects on the help of his teachers and philanthropists who helped educate Black and Native Americans.

The autobiography was a best seller; much to do with its honest and historically significant depiction of the struggles that Washington faced.

If you are eager to know more about the history of slavery, Sojourner Truth’s ‘Narrative of Sojourner Truth’ will provide great insight into being a slave in the North.

‘Behind the Scenes’ (1868) was written by American civil activist and author, Elizabeth Keckley, who is best known as the confidante of the First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln.

Her astonishing life story is told in this autobiographical book which traces her eventful life, from enslavement in Virginia and thirty years as a slave to her eventual freedom and time working in the White House.

This enthralling, poignant book is an extraordinary piece of American history that will delight anyone interested in slave narratives, such as Frederick Douglass’ ´Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass´.

‘Iola Leroy’, one of the first novels published by an African-American woman, follows a group of slaves who are seeking refuge with the approaching Union army during the Civil War. The Union commander is made aware that a beautiful young woman is being held as a slave in the neighbourhood and sets her free.

The narrative then switches to Iola Leroy’s point of view and follows her turmoil with being tricked, misled, and eventually sold off and taken away from her mother.

In a story exploring the serious social issues of education for women, religion and social responsibility, we follow Iola as she attempts to track down her family once again.

‘I dream you last night.’ Mother Cynthy’s smile, like her eyes, courted mischief. ‘Dream you were swimming with fishes. This can mean only one thing…’

The Meadows, Jamaica. Beautiful young Kat Lewis, artist and daughter of the community, has always wanted a child. When Mother Cynthy, the town herbalist, sees Kat swimming with fishes in a dream, the vision can only mean one thing: Kat will soon be a mother.

Tall, handsome Thornton “Ben” Benjamin, a successful Londoner in the real estate business, is on a business trip to The Meadows when he spots Kat on the beach. Despite the warning signs in his head, he is unable to resist. He pursues her and their initial friendship soon develops into a passionate romance.

But secrets remain untold between them: Kat is suffering from a chronic illness and Ben has a secret life back home. Will their love survive those revelations, and will Ben be the man to make Kat’s dream come true?

Sante was a baby when she was washed ashore in a sea-chest laden with treasure. It seems she is the sole survivor of the tragic sinking of a ship carrying migrants and refugees. Her people.

Fourteen years on she’s a member of Mama Rose’s unique and dazzling circus. But, from their watery grave, the unquiet dead are calling Sante to avenge them:

A bamboo flute. A golden bangle. A ripening mango which must not fall… are these the missing pieces of the jigsaw which will reveal Sante’s story?

For more information about these titles, or our full English catalogue contact Nadia on – nadia.lamond@sagaegmont.com or simply book a meeting.

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