Description
Book SynopsisBased on a detailed analysis of 21,000 pages of primary works including numerous biographies, this book presents that author''s formulations of the objectives, strategies, and tactics of eight African-American and African activists_Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Du Bois, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As seen in the New York Times Book Review section.
Trade ReviewProfessor Ansbro has succeeded in making the ideas of these leaders come alive. The theme of 'the power of the negative,' that exemplifies the Hegelian dialectic, is a unifying principle for this fine book. -- Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States and professor emeritus of Political Science, Boston University
Dr. Ansbro is a creative interpreter of the black religious experience. The selection of these leaders is first rate. Converting Obstacles into Opportunities—'the power of the negative'—is an apt description of what oppressed people have to do if they are not going to be primarily defined by their oppressors. I strongly recommend this excellent book. -- James H. Cone, Distinguished Professor of Theology, Union Theological Seminary
Dr. John Ansbro has written in the first person the most informative and inspiring exposition of the social philosophies of the principal African-American and African activists of the last 200 years. This is a pioneering work because it formulates their principles in the form of credos and identifies more than 500 examples of how they creatively utilized their negative experiences to achieve personal and social objectives. He demonstrates that in their opposition to racism in the forms of slavery, segregation or apartheid, they all struggled for Constitutional rights. Dr. Ansbro has rendered a tremendous service to African-Americans by presenting in a single volume the liberating philosophies that helped preserve peace until the writings of Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin could be translated into substantial action. -- Rev. Lawrence E. Carter, Dean of the International Chapel, Professor of Religion, Morehouse College
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Frederick Douglass Chapter 4 Booker T. Washington Chapter 5 Marcus Garvey Chapter 6 W.E.B. Du Bois Chapter 7 Malcolm X Chapter 8 Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapter 9 Nelson Mandela Chapter 10 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chapter 11 Sources Chapter 12 Selected Bibliography Chapter 13 Index Chapter 14 About the Author
