The Handy African American History Answer Book

By Jessie Carney Smith, Ph.D.

“This resource covers the contributions that enslaved and free African Americans made to U.S. society. Good for young adults who are interested in African American history and are just getting started on the subject.” —Booklist

“… well-balanced and informative book with a simple layout and direct question-answer format. … useful for a number of broad topics. It is great for frequently asked questions and for discovering new topics of interest. It will serve as a great resource …” —VOYA

Celebrating the impact of African Americans on U.S. society, culture, and history!

Traces African American history through four centuries of profound changes and amazing accomplishments.

Walking readers through a rich but often overlooked part of American history, The Handy African American History Answer Book addresses the people, times, and events that influenced and changed African American history. An overview of major biographical figures and history-making events is followed by a deeper look at the development in the arts, entertainment, business, civil rights, music, government, journalism, religion, science, sports, and more. Covering a broad range of the African American experience, showcasing interesting insights and facts, this helpful reference answers 700 commonly-asked questions including …

  • What is the significance of the Apollo Theater?
  • What were the effects of the Great Depression on black artists?
  • Who were some of America’s early free black entrepreneurs?
  • What is the historical role of the barbershop in the African American community? and
  • What was Black Wall Street?
  • What does “40 acres and a mule” mean?
  • What was the Black Arts Movement?
  • Who were the Harlem Hellfighters?
  • Who was the first black saint?
  • Who was called the “Father of Blood Plasma”?
  • What caused African Americans to lose their fidelity to “the Party of Lincoln”?
  • What was the impact of Negro Leagues Baseball on American culture?

Blending trivia with historical review in an engaging question-and-answer format, The Handy African American History Answer Book is perfect for browsing and is ideal for history buffs, trivia fans, students and teachers and anyone interested in a better and more thorough understanding of the history of black Americans. With many photos and illustrations this fun, fact-filled tome is richly illustrated. Its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.

American Ghost Stories

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Quick Facts:

ISBN: 9781578594528
Ebook ISBN: 9781578594887
Hardback ISBN: NA

432 Pages
120 Photos and Illustrations
7.5″ x 9.25″
Trade Paperback Price: $49.95
eBook Price: $19.99

Related Titles:

About the Author:

Distinguished in the library profession and recognized educator, author and scholar Jessie Carney Smith, Ph.D. is dean of the library and holds the Camille Cosby Distinguished Chair in the Humanities at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her undergraduate work at North Carolina A&T State University and holds master’s degrees from Michigan State University and Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Among Dr. Smith’s numerous awards are the National Women’s Book Association’s Award, the Candace Award for excellence in education, Sage magazine’s Anna J. Cooper Award for research on African American women, and the Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries. Her work includes Black Firsts, Black Heroes, The Handy African American History Answer Book, and with co-author Linda T. Wynn, Freedom Facts and Firsts all published by Visible Ink Press. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee.