Mirror to America

The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin

By: John Hope Franklin

Narrated by: John Hope Franklin

Ninety years of American history as lived by the nation's preeminent African American historian and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

John Hope Franklin lived through America's most defining twentieth-century transformation, the dismantling of legally-protected racial segregation. A renowned scholar, he has explored that transformation in its myriad aspects, notably in his 3.5 million-copy bestseller, From Slavery to Freedom. And he was, and remains, an active participant.

Born in 1915, he, like every other African American, could not but participate: he was evicted from whites-only train cars, confined to segregated schools, threatened–once with lynching–and consistently met with racism's denigration of his humanity. And yet he managed to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, become the first black historian to assume a full-professorship at a white institution, Brooklyn College, be appointed chair of the University of Chicago's history department, and, later, John B. Duke Professor at Duke University. He has reshaped the way African American history is understood and taught and become one of the world's most celebrated historians, garnering over 130 honorary degrees. But Franklin's participation was much more fundamental than that.

From his effort in 1934 to hand President Franklin Roosevelt a petition calling for action in response to the Cordie Cheek lynching, to his 1997 appointment by President Clinton to head the President's Initiative on Race, and continuing to the present, Franklin has influenced with determination and dignity the nation's racial conscience. Whether aiding Thurgood Marshall's preparation for arguing Brown v. Board in 1954, marching to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, or testifying against Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court in 1987, Franklin has pushed the national conversation on race towards humanity and equality, a life-long effort that earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1995.

Intimate, at times revelatory, Mirror to America chronicles Franklin's life and this nation's racial transformation in the 20th century, and is a powerful reminder of the extent to which the problem of America remains the problem of color.

©2005 John Hope Franklin (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

“A pioneer scholar; a splendid humanist and a shining model to generations of students, scholars, and activists.” —David Levering Lewis, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 1994 on John Hope Franklin

“My fondest dream would be to create a work of scholarship in the field of african american literature as germinal, as salient, as compelling, and as timeless as from slavery to freedom.” —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Director of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Research, Harvard University

A story you need to hear!

I found this to be one of the most uplifting truths of my lifetime. The mountain may be high, but you can make it over, with perseverance. This was a great read!

Outstanding

Absolutely amazing. Franklin narrates his life story which features major turning points in race relations in the United States. Additionally, his unique experience as upper class African American offer unique insights to opportunities his groundbreaking scholarship positioned him to have within America’s racial matrixes.

Highly recommend.

Excellent

This is an abridged version of the biography. Not as polished as a professional reader but hearing the author give voice to his life adds immeasurable richness to the story. Worthy listen.

The historian of historians of the USA and the Black Experience

J Bell

I read my first John Hope Franklin book titled “Race and History: Selected Essays 1938 - 1988” some 20 years ago. It remains in my library to this day. Mr. Franklin is one the most lucid writers of black history. His narration of his autobiography is as impeccable as his written word. As a black man myself, I felt all of the indignities he faced and all the recognition and respect bestowed on him by US Presidents, Carter G Woodson, Thurgood Marshall, WEB Dubious and many more. He is a bright light to us all.

Excellent Book

Everything about this book is excellent. I'm honored to have read it.

Love story about a history often misunderstood

The author shares his perspectives and insights into the formidable world of a racist society. Though he describes what many might think is a boot-strap life, Franklin recognizes the contributions of many to the successes of many. Details about family anchor this poignant account of a journey to distinction. Born an intellectual, Franklin recalls the road to scholarship and the discipline required to attain it. All throughout, race and racialized context is the silver lining in the backdrop that allows for reflection. This volume is respectful of the tensions that must have existed within the Talented Tenth but lovingly honest about its shortcomings. He recounts life with a list of historical giants whose work is the foundation upon which current activism should be based. He provides a blueprint of the house that social change is. Triumphant and lovely.

John Hope Franklin: American Elder

So Often People Come And Go Through Our Lives, They Have Profound Effects On Us As We Go Through Life. Mr. Franklin Is One Of Those Folks That Has Add To The Historical Richness Of The African American Experience. His Tone And Understanding Of History Using His Life As One Of Many Platforms To Give Us A Clear View Point To The Past. I For One Enjoy Listening To Our Elders As They Tell And Live It. It Is Always Refreshing To Hear Read And Learn From Our Historical Trail Blazers And Scholars. I Have Enjoyed Mirror To America And Hope You Will To As Continue To Learn More About Mr. Franklin And His Books.

History revealed

A must read for all Americans. I found myself transported into a historical world trip.

Note this is an ABRIDGED EDITION.

I most often listen to audiobooks while I am simultaneously reading the physical book. Because I was doing this with this book, I discovered, much to my dismay, that this is an edited and abridged edition. It leaves out large chunks of the narrative found in the print book and the chapters don't match up at all. I was extremely disappointed, and returned this title since it's useless to me as an abridged version. I wish that audible indicated this title was abridged in the description, as I could not find such an indication anywhere. I was very disappointed because the book is otherwise quite good -- I recommend NOT listening to the audio on this one, but getting the physical book.

This is ABRIDGED! Beware!

The narration and writing are great, but no where was it listed that this title is abridged. I returned it.