From Superman to Man [Hardcover]

J. A. Rogers (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0848814622 | ISBN-13: 978-0848814625 | Publication Date: May 15, 2010

From "Superman" to Man
Rogers' first book From "Superman" to Man, self-published in 1917, attacked notions of African inferiority. From "Superman" to Man is a polemic against the ignorance that fuels racism. Its title is a twist on contemporary works, both George Bernard Shaw s Man and Superman and Nietzsche s idea of the "Superman." The central plot revolves around a debate between a Pullman porter and a white racist Southern politician. Rogers used this debate to air many of his personal philosophies and to debunk stereotypes about black people and white racial superiority. The porter s arguments and theories are pulled from a plethora of sources, classical and contemporary, and run the gamut from history and anthropology to biology. Many of the ideas that permeated Rogers later work can be seen germinating in From "Superman" to Man. Rogers addresses issues such as the lack of scientific support for the idea of race, black historical vindicationism, and the fact of intermarriage and unions among peoples throughout history.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Amereon Ltd (May 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0848814622
• ISBN-13: 978-0848814625
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page for page, it may be the best book on race ever written., August 31, 1997

By 

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

This review is from: From Superman to Man (Hardcover)

Although presumably a work of fiction, "From Man to Superman" succeeds in doing in a slim 127 pages what whole libraries of works of non-fiction have never done - it makes most "white" Americans' ideas about race seem ridiculous. Although written over a half-century ago, it is the most advanced book on race and racism I have ever read - and that includes my recently published book, "WHITE FOLKS": Seeing America Through Black Eyes. That a "black" man living in the Draconian racist climate of 1930s and 40s America could keep his wits about him enough to even think such thoughts is a tribute to the awesome power of the human intellect. That he could garner the Herculian strength and Einsteinian ingenuity to write and publish this most concise criticism of America's racial apartheid system, is almost unbelievable. I cannot praise this book highly enough. It should be required reading for every American, starting with President Clinton.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Deception is the Key, May 29, 2005

By 

Diana Wilson (sparta, ga) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: From Superman to Man (Hardcover)

I had this book for five years before I finally picked it up to read and to my surprise, it was magnificent...an exciting verbal exchange between a politician whose knowledge regarding people is neglegeable and a porter whose knowledge of people is extensive. The two strike up a conversation first as servant to customer then ending as teacher informer to student learner. Its very passionate, engrossing and will keep your interest.

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant surprise, July 13, 2000

By 

Michel A. Williams (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Superman to Man (Hardcover)

While cleaning out a closet full of books at the community center where I serve as its Educational Director, this book falls off of the shelf. It has been the most enlightening book I have ever read! The previous reviewers have spoken ever so eloquently, I will simply say, given the psuedo-intellectual, "we have overcome" times we live in, J.A. Rogers' work should be manditory reading for all. At home and abroad. This book keeps it "real.