Born in Blackness

Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War

By: Howard W. French

Narrated by: James Fouhey

Traditional accounts of the making of the modern world afford a place of primacy to European history. Some credit the fifteenth-century Age of Discovery and the maritime connection it established between West and East; others the accidental unearthing of the "New World." Still others point to the development of the scientific method, or the spread of Judeo-Christian beliefs; and so on, ad infinitum. The history of Africa, by contrast, has long been relegated to the remote outskirts of our global story. What if, instead, we put Africa and Africans at the very center of our thinking about the origins of modernity?

In a sweeping narrative spanning more than six centuries, Howard W. French does just that, for Born in Blackness vitally reframes the story of medieval and emerging Africa, demonstrating how the economic ascendancy of Europe, the anchoring of democracy in the West, and the fulfillment of so-called Enlightenment ideals all grew out of Europe's dehumanizing engagement with the "dark" continent. In fact, French reveals, the first impetus for the Age of Discovery was not—as we are so often told, even today—Europe's yearning for ties with Asia, but rather its centuries-old desire to forge a trade in gold with legendarily rich Black societies sequestered away in the heart of West Africa.

©2021 Howard W. French (P)2022 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Impressive

This reshapes the way we view modern history, and the impact of the slave trade.

Remembering the forgotten

Excellent book providing a really good history of the world’s forgotten. Recommended highly to anyone who wants a complete understanding of the world history.

Great book of a history not well known

The in depth history is amazing and the knowledge shared opens your mind to a better understanding of what we see today. How did we get here and that if we desire we can get to a better place.

A must read

It started too wordy, for me. As my reading progressed, the book increasingly captured my interest. It encouraged reflection of the history we've been indoctrinated with these hundreds of years. I recommend this book for personal and educational purposes. plan reading it again soon.

educational

this book is not only educational is extraordinary and says lights on so many unmistold stories. I believe this book should be in every educational institution in America, Europe, and Africa as they are all connected as one

Excellent Recommendation by Bill Gates

If ever in doubt about unjust enrichment from slavery, and why reparations could be fair, listen to this. Great history, journalism, economic analysis. Lots of sources cited. Not axe grinding so much as setting the record straight. Would like to have more courses taught about this part of world history, not less. Sorry to say the white supremacy ideas are still around and need to be challenged by works like this. Did not realize what connection there was between economic powerhouses in Africa and Brazil and Caribbean and the Mississippi Delta and black slavery and warfare since 1500. Without devastating losses by France in Haiti, Louisiana Purchase might not have happened. If Napoleon had not elected to be a racist, US slavery might have died out with no Civil War. Did not get that Haiti in late 1700s was more economically prosperous than all of the North American colonies. Barbados was worth more than Canada. Jamaica was worth more than North America. Did not get how much England, Portugal France and Spain owed their economic successes to slavers and slaving, as did the US in 1810-59. There is some tendency to be quasi-Marxist about how labor is the only important factor of production (management equipment land are considered relevant but never of equal importance). Still, great research and insight from start to finish.

Phenomenal

This book will make you question any and everything about the untold history of African slaves.

American History World History Our History

This is truly an excellent read! French puts in perspective the bridges of history that is omitted by European and American scholars.
I’m impressed by the ethos, and visuals images that Mr. French uses to inform the reader.
Thank you Mr. French for a outstanding book, and for the time you dedicate to bringing it to fruition.

THE TEXTBOOK ON BLACK HISTORY

Wow! What an impressive study on the movement, and continual abuse of blackness from basically the beginning of time. All persons of privilege should be required to read and study this work. The survivors deserve our respect, and MORE!

Perspective shifting

A great overall pace for such a vast period of time. I was blown away about the importance of Africa to Europe and early development.