Customer Reviews

First Person Singular: John Hope Franklin [VHS]

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One of the most extraordinary historian that the United States has ever produced has his life and times chronicled for posterity in this great production. Those who heard of the name John Hope Franklin probably remember him for his outstanding historical tome, "From Slavery to Freedom: The History of African Americans. Yet his contributions to the field of history moves beyond the dry pages of print. Franklin was a scholar, activist and researcher who was out to set the record straight in exploding the mythology regarding Blacks in the United States.

Along with Charles Kuralt, Dr. Franklin tells his story which is intertwined with the history in which he wrote. Never under the illusion that his work would instantly change minds, he states immediately that he hoped that if any thing he would try to change the world with his words. The grandson of a slave and the son of a lawyer disillusioned with America's segregation, Franklin originally set out to become a lawyer.

The influence of white professor's lecture at Fisk inspired him to change his mind. With the help of his white patron and sharp mind, Franklin went on to Harvard for graduate studies and received his degree. From there he began to chart his course in breaking down the racial barriers in his field, academia and society.

We are given a history lesson from him as he places his life in the overall context of what was going on in America. His mind was insightful, thorough, objective and critical of what he viewed throughout his eight decades of life. This is truly a great work in understanding the mind and life of a great American and Black historian.