The Black Man, His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements

By: William Wells Brown

Narrated by: Rodney Louis Tompkins

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Born a slave, William Wells Brown (1814-1884) escaped to the North where he became a prominent abolitionist, historian, novelist and playwright. His 1863 book The Black Man: His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements portrays the lives of individuals selected by Brown that had “by their own genius, capacity, and intellectual development, surmounted the many obstacles which slavery and prejudice have thrown in their way, and raised themselves to positions of honor and influence."

By making his case for the equality of negroes in an era when white society believed otherwise, Brown provides more than 50 portraits of African Americans who managed to achieve and to make a difference in the face of prejudice and slavery.

The author's research in Europe and his visits to the West Indies had given him the advantage of obtaining information not readily available at that time. The book's clarity and the author's own achievements make it an essential source of black history.

Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks

Tragedy to Triumph!

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for motivation and inspiration on how make make lemonade when life hands you lemons. The story of William Wells Brown, as well as the stories of the other Black Men and Women told by him, are sterling examples on how to fight against injustice, overcome adversity, and to be shining examples for future generations. Great book!