2016 Reprint of 1962 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition; not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Reprint of the first edition of this landmark title. The black experience in America—starting from its origins in western Africa up to 1961—is examined in this seminal study from a prominent African American figure. The entire historical timeline of African Americans is addressed; from the Colonial period through the civil rights upheavals of the late 1950s to 1961; the time of publication. “Before the Mayflower†grew out of a series of articles Bennett published in Ebony magazine regarding "the trials and triumphs of a group of Americans whose roots in the American soil are deeper than the roots of the Puritans who arrived on the celebrated Mayflower a year after a 'Dutch man of war' deposited twenty Negroes at Jamestown." Bennett's history is infused with a desire to set the record straight about black contributions to the Americas and about the powerful Africans of antiquity. While not a fresh history; it provides a solid synthesis of current historical research and a lively writing style that makes it accessible and engaging reading. After discussing the contributions of Africans to the ancient world; “Before the Mayflower†tells the history of "the other Americans;" how they came to America; and what happened to them when they got here. The book is comprehensive and detailed; providing little-known and often overlooked facts about the lives of black folks through slavery; Reconstruction; America's wars; the Great Depression; and the civil rights movement. The book includes a useful time line and some fascinating archival images.
#327211 in Books 2015-05-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x .75 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 1632205815320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Good account of one person's account of the Holocaust!By bdocA well written book about the Holocaust that was taken from the pages of his aunt's writings; poems; music and letters. The glimpse that was given was different and yet similar to other accounts of the Holocaust. Since we know the outcome it is easy to say his aunt was foolish. Why didn't she hide or leave? This is a question that many ask after the fact. She did what she to do to survive. Even though she was a modern day woman she was betrayed by her husband and her lover. A part of the book that I liked was when she addressed those that helped and those that betrayed her. Very early on she was aware that not all Germans were bad as well as all Dutch were not good..0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A different kind of Holocaust memoir; a gutsy stubborn survivorBy M Maya Mendoza"Dancing with the enemy" is a different kind of Holocaust memoir and I am a collector. Rosie is a modern woman of her times. She asks for what she wants; and she usually gets it. She might be considered reckless but in the end she survives by grit; wit; sensuality and sheer will. Of course I wanted her to get out when she could and I could understand her brother being angry at her for staying but she had such high self esteem; maybe it could be called selfishness; she never thought bad things would happen to her. She was a star. However; bad things did happen but she survived and sometimes thrived. It seems she blamed the Dutch as much as she did the Germans and that might be her way of facing what she did to survive. But I didn't get the feeling she was ashamed of dancing or sleeping with the enemy. She was in need of comfort as well as food; and clothes so she wrote and danced and survived. I learned a lot about the treachery of the Dutch collaborators and the sad fact that Dutch Jews died at the highest rate. I loved that she pretended to be Scandinavian to get out; used different names and managed to have a good life in Sweden despite the suffering she went through. This was a good story maybe not written as well as it could have been but I respect the writer for telling us about Rosie and adding to the truth about the Holocaust. I lost two great aunts who refused to leave their country despite my grandfather begging them to get out. I am glad Rosie's story is out there.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Achingly human account of the holocaustBy Carole P. RomanAchingly human account of the holocaust based on personal correspondence written by a relative of the author. It's a story about survivors and the many paths one can take to escape persecution. Rosie Glaser is a woman ahead of her time. Daring; rebellious; and unconventional; her very nature serves to protect and propel her to safety during one of the blackest periods of humanity. I knew many survivors; and each story is a miracle in itself. We have an obligation to record them. Many have passed; and the fact that Paul Glaser took the time to recount his family's history is a miracle in itself. You can feel his resentment and horror as he realizes he is not who he thinks he is. The fact that the story survives though him is the greatest part of it all. He must bury his impulses and bravely research his own unknown past; embracing a part of him his father both hid and rejected long ago. With mounting panic; he learns first of a family he never knew; and then is devastated by their murder at the hands of the Nazi's.This is a story about survival in many different forms; Rosy's fierce battle to claw her way through the dangerous times she was born into; her proud rebellion and moxie when she snubs her nose at her tormentors and the unknown DNA that appears in the author when he courageously forges forward risking his own personal persecution to tell the world a story that must be told.
