Hair Story

Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America

By: Ayana D. Byrd, Lori L. Tharps

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Two world wars, the Civil Rights movement, and a Jheri curl later, Blacks in America continue to have a complex and convoluted relationship with their hair. From the antebellum practice of shaving the head in an attempt to pass as a "free" person to the 2013 uproar over an Ohio school that banned Afro puffs, the issues surrounding Black hair continue to linger as we move through the 21stst century.

Tying the personal to the political and the popular, Hair Story takes a chronological look at the culture behind the ever-changing state of Black hair - from 15th-century Africa to the present-day United States. Hair Story is the book Black Americans can use as a benchmark for tracing a unique aspect of their history, and that people of any background will celebrate as the reference guide for understanding Black hair.

©2001, 2014 Ayana D. Byrd and Lori L. Tharps (P)2019 Tantor

Great Reaf

This was very informative and helpful for my understanding of locs and the black hair care industry.

amazing

thank you so much for this beautiful outline of our hairs history
5 stars for sure

Black Hair History

This book should be read by all Black women. There are so many emotions and self esteem issues tied to hair for black women. Each should learn the natural texture and how to style her natural texture even if she chooses to wear a style other than natural.

Essential read

Great book and information. As a black woman and beauty professional, I think this is an essential read.

Wow! I'm blown away.

Great read! Well written and narrated.

As someone with relatively straight hair - I learned ALOT from this book!

Lots of stories and information that I didn't know and have new appreciation and respect for!

Highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about Hair OR History of fashion OR Black beauty culture.