The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality (Paperback)

by Cheikh Anta Diop (Author), Mercer Cook (Editor) "In contemporary descriptions of the ancient Egyptians, this question is never raised..." (more)
Key Phrases: dark red race, nasal index, matriarchal system, Black Africa, Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Now in its 30th printing, this classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.

Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (July 1, 1989) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556520727 ISBN-13: 978-1556520723 Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #4 in  Books > History > Africa > North Africa #10 in  Books > History > Ancient > Egypt #17 in  Books > History > Africa > Egypt

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
In contemporary descriptions of the ancient Egyptians, this question is never raised. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dark red race, nasal index, matriarchal system, woolly hair

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Black Africa, Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Nile Valley, North Africa, Eighteenth Dynasty, Central Africa, Meroitic Sudan, Middle Ages, The Book of the Dead, Champollion the Younger, West Africa, Great Pyramid, Ibn Battuta, Twelfth Dynasty, Asia Minor, Elliot Smith, Narmer's Tablet, Old Kingdom, Red Sea, South Africa, Third Dynasty, Upper Nile, Abu Simbel, African Blacks

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 32 books:

• Conquest of Civilization by J. H. Breasted in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• From Tribe to Empire (History of Civilization) by MORET on page 134, and Back Matter
• New Light on the Most Ancient East (The Norton Library) by V. Gordon Childe in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Nigerian Images by William Fagg on page 37, and Back Matter
• Dictionary of Anthropology by Charles Winick on page 265, and Back Matter

See all 32 books this book cites

 

58 books cite this book:

• We Can't Go Home Again: An Argument about Afrocentrism by Clarence E. Walker in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Black Man's Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? by Glenn Usry in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology by Cheikh Anta Diop in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Cover
• Epic Encounters: Culture, Media, and U.S. Interests in the Middle East, 1945-2000 (American Crossroads) by Melani McAlister on page 147, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition by Cedric J. Robinson in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 58 books citing this book

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Customer Reviews

103 Reviews 5 star:  (55) 4 star:  (6) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:  (38)           Average Customer Review 3.4 out of 5 stars (103 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 24 of 26 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A converted skeptic., January 15, 2004 By  "kiku-chan" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews This book has obviously angered (a few) people, so much so that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty as reviewers to invent several screen names and post their ire-filled opinions over and over. The fact is that this book is well written, well researched, and well referenced. The author does not ignore contrary opinions, but in fact takes great steps to address and dispel seemingly legitimate arguments. As a dedicated historian, and skeptic of nearly all Afro-centric writings, I can honestly say that this book is far more than the sublimated racism some readers would have you believe it to be. Those with a willingness to read the book and do their own un-biased follow-up research will find it well worth the effort. 36 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE BAD REVIEWS POST TWICE..WHY?, November 28, 2003 By A Customer The people who write bad reviews about this book are all 1: white rascists and 2: have never read this book or have an agenda that is something other than a fair critique. I am a black male who is not swayed easily by arguments just because they come from black people. I personally cannot stand to hear some idiot spouting off about nonsense about blacks being god or black space aliens or whatever. I have read some of the most idiotic books written by my people that make claims that have no basis in reality. This book however is nothing but the truth. Honestly before reading it I thought the claims of black egypt were laughable. Even after reading it I decided I had to do my own research. What I found was this: in southern Egypt today there are still people(not Nubians ) who would be considered black by the modern definition of the term. Archaeologist have found evidence that Nubian pharaohs pre date the first egyptian dynasty by at least 300 yrs for proof go here: http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/PROJ/NUB/NUBX/NUBX_brochure.html(or do a google search for the lost pharoahs of nubia) I have found that The semetic language belongs to an afroasiatic parent language that was spread by black people as they migrated north. I have read in the writings of Aristotle and Herodotus the physical description of the ancient Egyptians as "black skinned and wooly haired". I have seen a recreation of king tut's face done by European phorensic scientists: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/tutankhamun/. I have seen on the front page of a national newspaper the recreation of nefertiti's face(do a google search). I have found that black people who don't fit the physical type of the"true Negro"(extremely black skin, extremely kinky hair, full lips) were classified as "hamites" a term which before the slave trade was synonymous with black people in fact in the bible noahs son ham which means in Hebrew "black" or "burnt" is said to be the grandfather of the egytptians I have seen pictures of a tribe in Africa called the Nuba(do a google search) whom the majority of the people have the same facial characteristics as the Sphinx. I have learned that the use of color in the hieroglyphs was symbolic red representing the blood of life for the male(some tribes in Africa today still paint their bodies with red ochre), yellow representing fertility and weakness for the female. I have found that in 1974 the author went before the UNESCO conference and debated his premise against european and arab egyptologists and defeated them soundly. I have learned all this and so much more since first reading this book. What I have found to put it simply is that Cheik Anta Diop told the truth and if you want know the truth buy this book. 69 of 87 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Classic......., December 29, 1999 By  Edward M. Holt, Jr.([e-mail]) (Lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews It is a shame that anyone who whould give this book a low rating would refer to themselves as "a reader from...." Evidence that they haven't even seen the COVER of this book comes shining through. The main topic of this book is to show that Aficans played vital parts in the history of man from the most remote times. The Egyptians were African. Black African. Even European and Middle Eastern Egyptologists could/can not prove otherwise. Refer to the 2nd volume of The General History of Africa. Diop puts forth in the Symposium on the Origin of the Ancient Egyptians the same arguments presented in this book. Any argument opposing his own, Diop dealt with as objectively as possible. Considering he was African and that African history has been distorted the way it has, I can understand the fire and emotion with which Diop writes. It's to be expected. But in the final synopsis, it's not the emotion, but how well documented and researched his arguments are. Read the end notes and the bibliography. Mostly all his references are European Historians and Egyptologists who are hardly known in academic circles because of their beliefs. Diop even leaves an anthropological glossary and biographical sketches on the authors he cites. Hardly a stone is left uncovered. One should actually READ this book before trying to write a review on it. What Diop says is true and is gaining more acceptence everyday, and there's two things that can be done about it: 1. Nothing, 2. Like it!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the foundations of real history Cheik Anta Diop's work break down the racist eurocentric argument for the european orgin of an African civilization. Read more Published 18 days ago by Mr. K. C. Smith 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing work Mr. Diop's work with comparing the languages of west Africa with ancient Egyptian is sheer genius. I can't think of any other way to put it. Read more Published 1 month ago by Courtney Mortimer 3.0 out of 5 stars What I expected I had heard a lot about Cheikh Anta Diop and his views, so this book is pretty much what I expected it to be. Read more Published 1 month ago by Tim Welch 5.0 out of 5 stars Most likely the truth What i feel necessary to say here is that i am from a Tamil culture that is restricted to Southern India mostly these days. Read more Published 3 months ago by MASTER SK SELVARAJ 5.0 out of 5 stars People Still Pretend... I read this book a while ago, along with some others. This is a well written and researched book. Sometimes readers get "pinched" hard when they read something that is close to... Read more Published 3 months ago by ReddStealth 5.0 out of 5 stars Natually. Wonderful Book. For those of you who have some insane problem with the notion that Africans gave start to world civilization, you need only to understand a few key... Read more Published 4 months ago by Kevin Hall 5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is looking for critical readers of Euro-centric History Don't let the title fool you. Especially if you already believe that Euro-centric history is missing a bit of "World History" or tweaked it so much that others in the world don't... Read more Published 13 months ago by E. N. Gamble 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read! This is a must read book for anyone seeking true knowledge of the history of the African people. I recommend that this work be an addition to any non-fiction library. Published 17 months ago by Nasir Nantambu 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't hate us because we're Beautiful! Without a doubt the most critical and honest review of who the ancient Kemetians(Egyptians)were; Black Africans. Read more Published 19 months ago by SBLove99 4.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom for all time There were all sorts of jewels of wisdom, in this book. One of the most important things is the origin of the Egyptians. Read more Published 19 months ago by Kayim Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (July 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556520727
• ISBN-13: 978-1556520723
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > History > Africa > North Africa
  #10 in	Books > History > Ancient > Egypt
  #17 in	Books > History > Africa > Egypt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A converted skeptic., January 15, 2004

By	"kiku-chan" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This book has obviously angered (a few) people, so much so that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty as reviewers to invent several screen names and post their ire-filled opinions over and over. The fact is that this book is well written, well researched, and well referenced. The author does not ignore contrary opinions, but in fact takes great steps to address and dispel seemingly legitimate arguments. As a dedicated historian, and skeptic of nearly all Afro-centric writings, I can honestly say that this book is far more than the sublimated racism some readers would have you believe it to be. Those with a willingness to read the book and do their own un-biased follow-up research will find it well worth the effort.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE BAD REVIEWS POST TWICE..WHY?, November 28, 2003

By A Customer

The people who write bad reviews about this book are all 1: white rascists and 2: have never read this book or have an agenda that is something other than a fair critique. I am a black male who is not swayed easily by arguments just because they come from black people. I personally cannot stand to hear some idiot spouting off about nonsense about blacks being god or black space aliens or whatever. I have read some of the most idiotic books written by my people that make claims that have no basis in reality. This book however is nothing but the truth. Honestly before reading it I thought the claims of black egypt were laughable. Even after reading it I decided I had to do my own research. What I found was this: in southern Egypt today there are still people(not Nubians ) who would be considered black by the modern definition of the term. Archaeologist have found evidence that Nubian pharaohs pre date the first egyptian dynasty by at least 300 yrs for proof go here: http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/PROJ/NUB/NUBX/NUBX_brochure.html(or do a google search for the lost pharoahs of nubia) I have found that The semetic language belongs to an afroasiatic parent language that was spread by black people as they migrated north. I have read in the writings of Aristotle and Herodotus the physical description of the ancient Egyptians as "black skinned and wooly haired". I have seen a recreation of king tut's face done by European phorensic scientists: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/tutankhamun/. I have seen on the front page of a national newspaper the recreation of nefertiti's face(do a google search). I have found that black people who don't fit the physical type of the"true Negro"(extremely black skin, extremely kinky hair, full lips) were classified as "hamites" a term which before the slave trade was synonymous with black people in fact in the bible noahs son ham which means in Hebrew "black" or "burnt" is said to be the grandfather of the egytptians I have seen pictures of a tribe in Africa called the Nuba(do a google search) whom the majority of the people have the same facial characteristics as the Sphinx. I have learned that the use of color in the hieroglyphs was symbolic red representing the blood of life for the male(some tribes in Africa today still paint their bodies with red ochre), yellow representing fertility and weakness for the female. I have found that in 1974 the author went before the UNESCO conference and debated his premise against european and arab egyptologists and defeated them soundly. I have learned all this and so much more since first reading this book. What I have found to put it simply is that Cheik Anta Diop told the truth and if you want know the truth buy this book.

69 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic......., December 29, 1999

By	Edward M. Holt, Jr.([e-mail]) (Lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews

It is a shame that anyone who whould give this book a low rating would refer to themselves as "a reader from...." Evidence that they haven't even seen the COVER of this book comes shining through. The main topic of this book is to show that Aficans played vital parts in the history of man from the most remote times. The Egyptians were African. Black African. Even European and Middle Eastern Egyptologists could/can not prove otherwise. Refer to the 2nd volume of The General History of Africa. Diop puts forth in the Symposium on the Origin of the Ancient Egyptians the same arguments presented in this book. Any argument opposing his own, Diop dealt with as objectively as possible. Considering he was African and that African history has been distorted the way it has, I can understand the fire and emotion with which Diop writes. It's to be expected. But in the final synopsis, it's not the emotion, but how well documented and researched his arguments are. Read the end notes and the bibliography. Mostly all his references are European Historians and Egyptologists who are hardly known in academic circles because of their beliefs. Diop even leaves an anthropological glossary and biographical sketches on the authors he cites. Hardly a stone is left uncovered. One should actually READ this book before trying to write a review on it. What Diop says is true and is gaining more acceptence everyday, and there's two things that can be done about it: 1. Nothing, 2. Like it!