Customer Reviews

Black Beauty: A History and Celebration

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A history and a celebration indeed. This book is exquisitely fascinating and absolutely beautiful; it's BREATHTAKING and will leave you completely speechless. From an informative history of black beauty and fashion and how it has been perceived throughout the years by the media to wonderful images of black icons like Mohammed Ali, Wesley Snipes, Lauryn Hill and Josephine Baker. It features not only the prominent faces of today but the icons of yesteryear who were our fore fathers and mothers in the shaping of what black beauty is today. This is a must have for every coffee table in every proud household; a must have for any lover of photography and the beauty of fashion and media icons. To say that this book is captivating is a complete understatement. Every time I look through the pages of this beautiful book, I'm proud and grateful that finally, the world is coming to see that WE ARE A BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.

From its striking cover photo of Grace Jones, to its fact-based, somewhat colorful prose, this is a fascinating book on a controversial subject - black is beautiful - or is it. Mr. Arogundade says it is - and for the most part he's right. He clearly discusses on the history of beauty in the black diaspora, and how it has survived, despite European influences and attempts to define it...the pictures speak for themselves...the subjects are quite stunning...I think it is a great book for black people of all ages, and for non-blacks who are simply curious as to know what defines black beauty...

I believe this book is well written and filled with great insight and photos. I found that it gave a good look at some of our heros, and their obsticles that they had to over come before they could revel in the glory of greatness. It also show's some of our struggles as a people of color and how we have made positive progress over the last 100 years. This book offers inspiration because the author himself (from what I understand) had finished his studies to be an architect, and couldn't find steady work in his field. He then stumbled into modeling by chance. After an unsuccessful business venture of his own, not to be beaten Ben pushed forward and successfully rallied to writing and having his work published by a major publishing company I say hats off to him. Congradulations Ben!Job well done. His perserverance and tenacity goes along with the people inside this book that he has written about. Lastly, I definetly recommend this book for all... This is precise and concious writing and it is not just for people of color and who happened to live in the United States. We can all gain something from this book.

This book features some great photos. It offers the reader a good opportunity to revel in black folk/ culture/ expression. Also, it's an honorable attempt to address one of the intangible race issues that so impacts black folk and yet is under-addressed. Still...the author focuses too much, perhaps, on Western views of black beauty throughout history. In recounting the various stages of the Black reaction to cultural alienation and degradation of our physicality, he paints a picture of resiliency that is poignant and inspiring. But what's really needed in this area is proaction on our part, and less reaction. Toward that end, I would have liked to see more exploration, in Black Beauty, of the different concepts of beauty, in different cultures, throughout different periods in the human experience. In doing so, Arogundade would have better illuminated the subjective nature of beauty standards, thereby positing a sturdier framework in which to truly envision (and revel in) our own.

I bought this book and was severely disappointed. The author seems to take shots at African American's that don't fit his version of "ethnic appropriateness". Particularly, he takes really harsh shots at Diana Ross, The Supremes, Donna Summer and anyone else who has had the courage to just be themselves and shine without paying attention to his particular point of view of how we (African Americans) should look, act or behave. I found it to be a total waste of money, and definitely does not represent all of "Black Beauty", just his tainted point of view.

Nice book...delivered on time...only disappointed because I thought I had ordered a hard cover vs the soft cover received. The purpose of the book is aesthetics...coffee book...thus, hard copy wanted.

Nevertheless, I am very appreciative for professional promptness.

In Black Beauty: A History And A Celebration, Ben Arogundade offers a comprehensive and insightful history of the black aesthetic ranging from the days of slavery and its necessity to dehumanize blacks, to the evolution of black cosmetic products, images and hairstyles, to modern day icons of film, television, music, sports, and fashion. This impressive anthology is profusely illustrated throughout with photography from Annie Leibovitz, David Baily, Albert Watson, Herb Ritts, Peter Lindbergh, and others. Black Beauty is impressive, informative, inspiring, occasionally iconoclastic, and a superb addition to any personal, academic, or community library Black Studies collection.