Introduction to Black Studies [Paperback]

Maulana Karenga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1993

Dr. Maulana Karenga is professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. He is author of numerous scholarly articles and several books. Dr. Karenga is also the creator of Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba and executive director of the Institute of Pan-African Studies. Almost 30 years ago when I was a classroom teacher in the Dayton, Ohio public school system, I was asked to teach a course in Black History. While preparing the syllabus, it dawned on me that although I had graduated from a historically Black University with a major in History, I knew very little about the subject. I then began a personal mental reclamation project in an attempt to rescue and reconstruct my humanity. Dr. Karenga's Introduction To Black Studies was a welcome addition to this ongoing project. Dr. Charles Henry, Professor, African American Studies, UC Berkeley says, "Maulana Karenga's Introduction To Black Studies is simply the best text available on the subject," and I agree with this assessment. Dr. James B. Stewart of Penn State University says "the volume reflects throughout, the commitment to solid analytical inquiry that characterizes the scholarship of its author."

Product Details

• Paperback: 531 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Sankore Pr; 2nd edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943412161
• ISBN-13: 978-0943412160
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, March 11, 2000

By 

Ralph C. Watkins - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Black Studies (Paperback)

This is an excellent introduction to the breadth and depth of Black Studies. Karenga treats the subject with great care and the details of a scholar. He provides a great bibliography to help the reader locate the views and ideas of others. This book is also great for classroom use. Students love it. You will grow with this book. It is well written and easy to follow. He systematically builds each chapter for the reader. It is a classic and a must read for anyone who is remotely interested in Black Studies. I highly recommend it!

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I.B.S.:An Excellent Analysis of Black History & Culture, December 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Black Studies (Paperback)

The Introduction to Black Studies by Dr. Maulana Karenga is an invaluable contribution to history and humanity in terms of its afrocentric context in analyzing and accurately introducing the rich and varied history and contribution of continental Africans, African Americans and other Black peoples through out the World African Community to its readers. This book is a must read not only for those in college classes, it should also be used in high school curriculums, Rites of Passage programs and adults alike. I have yet to find another introductory text that gives such a comprehensive analysis of Black life in dignity affirming terms than the I.B.S. The structure in which the I.B.S. is presented to its reader provides for smooth transitions from one category or subject to another. Dr. Karenga appears to order the table of contents in the order of the seven basics areas of culture, i.e. Spirituality and Ethics, History, Social organization, Economic organization, Political organization, Creative Production and Ethos. The origin of this cultural structure is developed from the Communitarian African Philosophy, Kawaida, which means, "Tradition and Reason" also created by Dr. Karenga. More on Kawaida Philosophy can be found on page 173 of the I.B.S. The reader of the I.B.S. will also discover that Dr. Karenga uses category's that provides a logic of liberation in suggesting alternatives to the dominant society's views and values, in how they relate to the views and values of African Americans and other Black peoples. After each subject, Dr. Karenga has provided the reader with study questions and an extensive reference list from which further research and study can take place. Again, I highly recommend the reading of the Introduction to Black Studies and keeping it in one's personnal library as a major reference source.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you get from this book, will depend on what level you are on., August 23, 2005

By 

DJ I DA I (Maryland via New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Black Studies (Paperback)

An Introduction to Black Studies is an excellent book for all those interested in understanding African and African American history. No book can capture the total history of a people, but Karenga does give you an exceptional look at a wide variety of historical and cultural components. This is a "text" book. It is not a novel. This is not the book that you read for pleasure. It is for information. I used this same edition in my I.B.S. class and it changed my life. I actually was looking for a later edition when I saw the reviews. I couldn't believe what people were saying about the book so I was forced to write something. I always have highly recommended this book as a must have to a person who is interested in African Studies. And I will do it again here...you should buy this book.