Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In 1810 THE NAKED, CAGE BODY OF Saartje Baartman - a 25-year-old slave from the Cape Colony - was put on display in London and..." (more)
Key Phrases: white beauty values, aesthetic transfer, first black model, New York, Civil Rights, Naomi Campbell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[O]ffers a visual history of the varieties of black beauty with striking artwork and lavish photographs of cultural heavyweights." -- Helen Frangoulis, Playboy --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Through over 150 color and black and white photographs and an engaging, informed text Black Beauty discusses the position of blacks within the beauty hierarchy of the West, as well as the kinds of work available to black models within the past century. Author Ben Arogundade also offers insight to the ways in which certain styles of black beauty have been promoted above others. In considering black icons and celebrities from Marcus Garvey, Josephine Baker, and Muhammad Ali to Billy Dee Williams, Grace Jones and Lauryn Hill, Black Beauty reveals the many differing images of those who have embodied black beauty in our culture. Portraits by Herb Ritts, Albert Watson, Richard Avedon, and other eminent photographers are included in this stunning compilation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156025341X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560253419
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #415,810 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Finally Celebrate, October 22, 2000

By	"cathymarie" (Queens Village, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration (Hardcover)

A history and a celebration indeed. This book is exquisitely fascinating and absolutely beautiful; it's BREATHTAKING and will leave you completely speechless. From an informative history of black beauty and fashion and how it has been perceived throughout the years by the media to wonderful images of black icons like Mohammed Ali, Wesley Snipes, Lauryn Hill and Josephine Baker. It features not only the prominent faces of today but the icons of yesteryear who were our fore fathers and mothers in the shaping of what black beauty is today. This is a must have for every coffee table in every proud household; a must have for any lover of photography and the beauty of fashion and media icons. To say that this book is captivating is a complete understatement. Every time I look through the pages of this beautiful book, I'm proud and grateful that finally, the world is coming to see that WE ARE A BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well researched coffee table book, May 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration (Hardcover)

From its striking cover photo of Grace Jones, to its fact-based, somewhat colorful prose, this is a fascinating book on a controversial subject - black is beautiful - or is it. Mr. Arogundade says it is - and for the most part he's right. He clearly discusses on the history of beauty in the black diaspora, and how it has survived, despite European influences and attempts to define it...the pictures speak for themselves...the subjects are quite stunning...I think it is a great book for black people of all ages, and for non-blacks who are simply curious as to know what defines black beauty...

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black History: A History and a Celebration, January 12, 2001

By	MARVIN WOODS (Ft Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Beauty: A History and a Celebration (Hardcover)

I believe this book is well written and filled with great insight and photos. I found that it gave a good look at some of our heros, and their obsticles that they had to over come before they could revel in the glory of greatness. It also show's some of our struggles as a people of color and how we have made positive progress over the last 100 years. This book offers inspiration because the author himself (from what I understand) had finished his studies to be an architect, and couldn't find steady work in his field. He then stumbled into modeling by chance. After an unsuccessful business venture of his own, not to be beaten Ben pushed forward and successfully rallied to writing and having his work published by a major publishing company I say hats off to him. Congradulations Ben!Job well done. His perserverance and tenacity goes along with the people inside this book that he has written about. Lastly, I definetly recommend this book for all... This is precise and concious writing and it is not just for people of color and who happened to live in the United States. We can all gain something from this book.