Customer Reviews

Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Still I Rise by authors Roland Laird and Taneshia Nash Laird and illustrator Elihu "Adofo" Bey takes us on a graphical journey of African American history from before slavery was formalized in this country until the election of the first African American President. The book starts off with a foreword by Charles Johnson discussing the challenges faced by black comic artists and the legacy passed on to future black artists. This sets the tone for the rest of the book. At the start of the graphical journey, the reader is introduced to two narrators who guide, educate, humor, and challenge each other, and thus the reader as the storyline progresses from 1618 to 2008.

As the storyline moves through the years, the reader is provided with an understanding of the historical period for the United States, the unique challenges faced by African Americans, and how the issues were addressed. The reader will gain knowledge of the economic, political, and social atmosphere for each era. This provides the context for understanding the need to keep "re-creating" solutions at times to solve continuing issues. The authors and illustrator are commended for providing a good balance of information for the wide time span presented. While the subject matter might be unpleasant at times, the book never falters in presenting a positive attitude along with hope and a strong urge to survive.

I recommend this book be used in schools as an aid to teaching history and should be included in all school library and public library collections. The graphical format of the book will appeal to most young readers and the presentation of the information will lead to many discussions. I also recommend this book for all African American homes as the unique format of the book will be enjoyed across generations.

Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub
January 27, 2009

Still I Rise is a graphical novel (aka "comic strip" style) structured around the history of America and the complex, interwoven African American contributions and sacrifices to its success and greatness. Two unnamed characters remain prominent serving as narrators providing supplemental commentaries setting the stage of the eras' social and political climates enhancing the history lessons within the pages. Opening in pre-Colonial times, it traces the events and issues surrounding indentured servitude, greed, and racism that eventually lead to legalized and institutionalized slavery of Africans. It celebrates and recognizes countless unsung and infamous heroes and leaders (of all races) as it progresses through four hundred years. The courage of African Americans is not lost when the book covers America's battles with the English, Spanish, and French, and eventually itself, nor does it spare the ugliness of racism, and the struggle endured during Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement. At its core, it is a book that chronicles survival, faith, hope, and perseverance against insurmountable odds.

The collection is one that should be required reading for students (the graphics would appeal to even the youngest and/o r attention-challenged readers). I also highly recommend it for more "seasoned" readers as well because of its unique depiction of history. Even the forward by Charles Johnson remains in context and addresses the challenges black illustrators faced in the early 20th century. As a history lover, I loved learning "new" bits of info (the actual names of ingenious people and the rational behind some historical and political decisions) and revisiting all that I knew. I plan to purchase copies for my nephew and niece as it is a tool to initiate those much needed conversations.

Reviewed by Phyllis
January 20, 2009
APOOO BookClub

The book looks terrific -- no, it's not as visually lovely or as sound on terms of composition and panel lay-out as many other similar works, let alone graphic novels, which is fine. The writing is spare and to the point, and much of what it has to say is valuable and said well. But there is much that is inaccurate here, in terms of the historical record, and I say this as a professor of American history. This does not mean that I am the fount and source of all accurate information on U.S. history, because much of the way history is told, taught, and written has to do with interpretation of data, which speaks to bias; however, when historical facts are purposely left out, or distorted, one can only assume this has to do with the agenda of the authors. I will cite only one example, but it is the one that is most glaring, and it has to do with the treatment of Bacon's Rebellion. The reader is told that the Virginian elites only decided to put down the rebellion because whites began to fight with one another; this is simply not the case. The planter class of Virginia resisted the rebellion from the start because, as an alliance of free whites, indentured servant, and African,s both enslaved and free, it was nothing less than a bid by the so-called "giddy multitude" to overthrow the government and strip the planters of their land, power, and perhaps their lives. Then the authors have the planters reviewing the consequences of the rebellion and stating that their great wealth was based on the labor of African slaves -- at this time, this was patently not the case. The backbone of the laboring class in Virginia until well AFTER the rebellion were English indentured servants, just as they made up the great majority of the rebels that had just been defeated. There was something less than 3,000 slaves in the colony at that time, and tens of thousands of indentured servants, and the main importance of the rebellion is that it brought an end to indentured servitude in Virginia, and it lead to the start of a large-scale effort to make African slaves the main component of the work force on the plantations. There are many other instances of misinterpreted or just plain wrong-headed information throughout the book, alongside many, many accurate portrayals of various historical events and personages. I would not buy this book for a younger reader for just this reason and I find the book doubly frustrating not simply because of the inaccuracies, which are the result of an agenda or lazy research, but also because uninformed readers like those whose reviews are present here alongside mine, accept this portrayal of African-American history as the gospel, so to speak. Unfortunately, they do not know whereof they speak, as it were.

"Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans" aims high, and does everything right! It's a moving, entertaining and informative experience. It is unique in that it doesn't just focus on African American males and their achievements, but also focuses on women. In addition, it highlighted many others significant in the historical struggle that many may not be aware of. "Still I Rise" is well appreciated, outstanding and exciting. I felt like I was reading an episode but it's history. Very seldom do we find history from this standpoint. I encourage others to read it, particularly our youth. I would give it more stars if I could. Excellent read!

Reviewed by: Gail

Still I Rise by Roland Laird & Taneshia Nash Laird and illustrated by Elihu "Adofo" Bey is a powerful graphic novel tracing African-American history in the United States. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of information that the writers were able to pack into this volume without ever making it feel like a textbook. The story is narrated by a elderly black couple. She is more cynical and angry; he's more laidback in his narration, but together they tell the story of Black Americans from the early 17th century through Barack Obama's election as President. The story is well balanced; it doesn't demonize all whites, but treats them as individuals, and doesn't gloss over the controversies faced by black leaders. Bey's illustrations are clean and simple but convey a great range of emotion, several brought tears to my eyes in their portrayal of the devastation wrought by slavery. I learned so much about black heroes through our history from Crispus Attucks at the Boston Massacre to Dorie Miller at Pearl Harbor, they have been at the forefront of so many pivotal points in history without ever receiving the fame so many others have. This book should be on the shelf of every high school library and required reading for students.It teaches without preaching, and the message is one that needs to be heard.

STILL I RISE: A Graphic History of African Americans by Roland Laird with Taneshia Nash Laird, is a fabulous history of Africans in America. It starts before slavery and moves toward today's African Americans. It gives both sides of the story about how African Americans became who they are today. A male character tended to show the side that Americans would like to have as a reality and a female character never let him do it without her comments on what really happened.

The story of how slavery actually came about in this country was a fascinating one. At first, even the Africans who were here were treated as indentured servants. Later, it was in the best interest of the rich to have people who would never be free, hence the beginning of slavery. This form of slavery did not embrace the white indentured servants, only the black ones. There was a lot of unhappiness on the part of poor whites too, because they felt the Africans were taking jobs they desperately needed. Even so, the masters wanted more and more money. The condition of Blacks in America was built on greed.

STILL I RISE connects many pieces of history that simply are not well-known, facts that are not written about in our history books such as Blacks in Maryland almost totally ran the catering business there and Blacks and Indians in Florida were negotiating treaties with the Spanish and the British. They were well on their way to becoming a separate nation in 1816. The book says it is for young adults, but I think it is a book that should be read by everyone, regardless of age or color of skin. It is a true eye-opener about the history of Africans in America.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

As others have noted, for some people "graphic (novel)" ("Still I Rise" is not a novel, of course) equals "comic book". There's nothing at all wrong with comic books, but those who consider the term, and the medium, a pejorative are blinding themselves to the storytelling power of graphics. Roland and Taneshia Nash Laird, supported by Elihu "Adofo" Bey's graphics, present a tightly written history of African-Americans that can serve as a primer to student new to the material, as well as an enjoyable visual review for those who are more familiar with the history.

The "Publishers Weekly" review quoted in the product listing is more than unfair, in my view. There are many, many styles of illustration, and Rembrandt is not Picasso is not Basquiat. To say that "Still I Rise" comes off as "a black man's struggle coloring book" reflects on the reviewer, not the authors. I highly recommend "Still I Rise".

the term "graphic novel" is thrown around a lot these days. for some people, it's just a way to say "comic book" without feeling like a dork. although the term is generally held as a badge of legitimacy, in the case of Still I Rise, it doesn't do the book justice. for one thing, this joint isn't a novel at all, but a Graphic History of African Americans. from the infancy of the middle passage and slave trade to the election of that one dude as the first black President, Roland and Taneshia Nash Laird painstakingly plot out the 400+ year history of African America, and the rock-solid cartooning of Elihu "Adopho" Bey (MC Squared, Neverknots) will make sure you feel every bump along the way.

the authors use duel narrators with distinct perspectives to walk the reader through history with a broad view not skewed to just one narrow ideology. Bey's intelligent use of cartooning makes heavy ideas accessible and the book's humor lightens tough situations and moments without erasing their gravity. because the research and hard work of the writers and cartoonist covers so many topics, historical figures, and events (while making it look effortless), this book will create or reawaken curiousity about black history in children and adults that read it. it will make you laugh, it will make you angry, and it will fill you with pride and hope. every african-american family, every library, and every comic book enthusiast should have a copy of this book. and when you get your copy, don't stash it on a musty shelf. put it on your coffee table... where it can do some good! as for me, the copy which the publisher was good enough to give me to review is going to my local public library, but not until i buy another one for my own coffee table.
holla!
-samax
GhettoManga Quarterly