Destruction of Black Civilization : Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C to 2000 A.D. [Paperback]

Chancellor Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1987

A widely read classic exposition of the history of Africans on the continent—and the people of African descent in the United States and in the diaspora—this well researched analysis details the development of civilization in Africa.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chancellor Williams is the author of The Rebirth of African Civilization.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Third World Press (June 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883780305
• ISBN-13: 978-0883780305
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > History > Africa

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great launch pad, November 16, 2005

By 

Benjamin R. James "Jmsb01" (Monticello, Mn. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Destruction of Black Civilization : Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C to 2000 A.D. (Paperback)

This book has created within me a need to search more about African and African American history. This is the real stuff, the people, places and things beyond, Martin Luther King, George Washington Carver, and Marion Anderson, Montgomery Alabama, and the "60". No, disrespect to any of these but we are too often taught that these people, and things happened in a vacuum without any reference of what happened before them or at the same time.

The most important thing Dr. Williams does for all people is to answer the question of how did Africa get to the point it currently is in. He pulls back the covers to reveal that the rest of the world did not just pass Africa by, but actively saught to keep Africa back. First, Arabia then Western Europe and its satalites have been robbing and suppressing Africa for centuries.

This book is a must read, if you want to understand where we are now and how we got here.

52 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant survey by a brilliant visionary., March 3, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destruction of Black Civilization : Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C to 2000 A.D. (Paperback)

The average reader of this book always misconstrues it's purpose. The purpose of this book is not to be descriptive, but prescriptive. In other words, The Destruction is not meant to serve solely as a history book. The book's purpose is to provide Afrikan people with an historical background into Afrikan-specific problems of the past, while at the same time, giving viable solutions to what Afrikan people should do to solve the same, lingering problems that slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism are very definitely at the root of. One of Mr. Williams' most brilliant observances is the politcal role that Arabs and Islam have played in and among Afrikan people. He cogently and correctly exposes how Afrika and her people have been historically duped and demeaned, not only by Europeans [Chrisitans] and Asians, but by Arabs also. This one issue has been the most talked about, but the least understood. To extract the true essence and point of book one need but look at its subtitle - "Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D." That says it all right there. Chancellor Williams, visionary that he was, knew that by the start of the new millenium, Afrikan people would be suffering the same problems that Afrikan people of 4500 B.C. suffered unless . . . we took a step back and gave a critical, crucial, and correct analysis of the problems that confront us. At the end of the book, Williams offers what he refers to as "The Master Plan"; to give Afrikan people a blueprint toward true power and an understanding of who they are and who they still have to be in this world. An most excellent read that prompts you to move from theory to practice!!

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Read" for all Afro-Americans, May 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Destruction of Black Civilization : Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C to 2000 A.D. (Paperback)

Chancellor Williams does an excellent job of not only identifying the issues that we have endured as a people but he leaves you with something unique..... An Answer. How often have you read a book telling us about all the problems in Black America and abroad but then leave you with a feeling of " O.K. what do we do about it?" Well this book does just the opposite. You are left with viable solutions. A most-excellent book!!