The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality [Paperback]

Cheikh Anta Diop (Author), Mercer Cook (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1989

Now in its 30th printing, this classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (July 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556520727
• ISBN-13: 978-1556520723
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > History > Africa > North Africa
  • #10 in Books > History > Ancient > Egypt
  • #34 in Books > History > Ancient > Early Civilization

More About the Author

Cheikh Anta Diop is the author of The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality and Precolonial Black Africa.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A converted skeptic., January 15, 2004

By 

"kiku-chan" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality (Paperback)

This book has obviously angered (a few) people, so much so that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty as reviewers to invent several screen names and post their ire-filled opinions over and over. The fact is that this book is well written, well researched, and well referenced. The author does not ignore contrary opinions, but in fact takes great steps to address and dispel seemingly legitimate arguments. As a dedicated historian, and skeptic of nearly all Afro-centric writings, I can honestly say that this book is far more than the sublimated racism some readers would have you believe it to be. Those with a willingness to read the book and do their own un-biased follow-up research will find it well worth the effort.

100 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE BAD REVIEWS POST TWICE..WHY?, November 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality (Paperback)

The people who write bad reviews about this book are all 1: white rascists and 2: have never read this book or have an agenda that is something other than a fair critique. I am a black male who is not swayed easily by arguments just because they come from black people. I personally cannot stand to hear some idiot spouting off about nonsense about blacks being god or black space aliens or whatever. I have read some of the most idiotic books written by my people that make claims that have no basis in reality. This book however is nothing but the truth. Honestly before reading it I thought the claims of black egypt were laughable. Even after reading it I decided I had to do my own research. What I found was this: in southern Egypt today there are still people(not Nubians ) who would be considered black by the modern definition of the term. Archaeologist have found evidence that Nubian pharaohs pre date the first egyptian dynasty by at least 300 yrs for proof go here: http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/PROJ/NUB/NUBX/NUBX_brochure.html(or do a google search for the lost pharoahs of nubia) I have found that The semetic language belongs to an afroasiatic parent language that was spread by black people as they migrated north. I have read in the writings of Aristotle and Herodotus the physical description of the ancient Egyptians as "black skinned and wooly haired". I have seen a recreation of king tut's face done by European phorensic scientists: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/tutankhamun/. I have seen on the front page of a national newspaper the recreation of nefertiti's face(do a google search). I have found that black people who don't fit the physical type of the"true Negro"(extremely black skin, extremely kinky hair, full lips) were classified as "hamites" a term which before the slave trade was synonymous with black people in fact in the bible noahs son ham which means in Hebrew "black" or "burnt" is said to be the grandfather of the egytptians I have seen pictures of a tribe in Africa called the Nuba(do a google search) whom the majority of the people have the same facial characteristics as the Sphinx. I have learned that the use of color in the hieroglyphs was symbolic red representing the blood of life for the male(some tribes in Africa today still paint their bodies with red ochre), yellow representing fertility and weakness for the female. I have found that in 1974 the author went before the UNESCO conference and debated his premise against european and arab egyptologists and defeated them soundly. I have learned all this and so much more since first reading this book. What I have found to put it simply is that Cheik Anta Diop told the truth and if you want know the truth buy this book.

100 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic......., December 29, 1999

By 

Edward M. Holt, Jr.([e-mail]) (Lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality (Paperback)

It is a shame that anyone who whould give this book a low rating would refer to themselves as "a reader from...." Evidence that they haven't even seen the COVER of this book comes shining through. The main topic of this book is to show that Aficans played vital parts in the history of man from the most remote times. The Egyptians were African. Black African. Even European and Middle Eastern Egyptologists could/can not prove otherwise. Refer to the 2nd volume of The General History of Africa. Diop puts forth in the Symposium on the Origin of the Ancient Egyptians the same arguments presented in this book. Any argument opposing his own, Diop dealt with as objectively as possible. Considering he was African and that African history has been distorted the way it has, I can understand the fire and emotion with which Diop writes. It's to be expected. But in the final synopsis, it's not the emotion, but how well documented and researched his arguments are. Read the end notes and the bibliography. Mostly all his references are European Historians and Egyptologists who are hardly known in academic circles because of their beliefs. Diop even leaves an anthropological glossary and biographical sketches on the authors he cites. Hardly a stone is left uncovered. One should actually READ this book before trying to write a review on it. What Diop says is true and is gaining more acceptence everyday, and there's two things that can be done about it: 1. Nothing, 2. Like it!