BIBR - New Reviews - Non-Fiction

NEW REVIEWS / NON-FICTION

Telling Our Own Stories

Creating Black Americans: African American History
and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present
by Nell Irvin Painter
Oxford University Press, November 2005
$30, ISBN 0-195-13755-8

In her latest book, this Princeton professor and historian constructs an account of black history for a new generation of readers. The book is both current and engaging as the author covers a culture that spans across centuries. From black life before slavery to black voters in the 2000 presidential election, from incarceration to health care, Creating Black Americans will fascinate readers who are interested in the new ways we give meaning to the past.
Read full review.

-Reviewed by Aaron Bryant

Einstein on Race and Racism
by Fred Jerome and Rodger Taylor
Rutgers University Press, July 2005
$23.95, ISBN 0-8135-3617-0

Examines an often ignored facet of Einstein’s life: his fight against entrenched racism in America, which he called “a disease of white people.” This excellent book examines, among other things, Einstein’s participation in anti-lynching campaigns, his friendship with Paul Robeson and WEB DuBois, his correspondence with the National Urban League, his regular contributions to the NAACP magazine, and his landmark speech at historically black Lincoln University in 1946, in which he decried segregation in America.
Read full review.

-Reviewed by C. Gerald Fraser

Stepin Fetchit: The Life and Times of Lincoln Perry
by Mel Watkins
Pantheon Books, October 2005
$26.95, ISBN 0-375-42382-6

The Zeitgeist of many black Americans in 1927 was represented by Lincoln Perry a.k.a. Stepin Fetchit, a brilliant actor and comedian whose roles embodied Hollywood's worst stereotypes about blacks. The biography makes the point that the actor and the characters he created were not the same. Perry's life becomes a reference point from which the history of blacks in the motion picture industry is examined. Read full review.

-Reviewed by Woodie King Jr.

Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood
by Jill Watts
Amistad/HarperCollins, October 2005
$27.95, ISBN 0-060-51490-6

Hattie McDaniel by Jill Watts

A fascinating biography of Hattie McDaniel - the first black Oscar winner, known to many only as Mammy from Gone With the Wind. Watts delves into the harrowing dilemma faced by McDaniel and other black actors of her time - that of accepting demeaning, creatively unchallenging roles or leaving their intended profession. Thanks to Jill Watts a portrait of McDaniel emerges that is far more interesting, complex, and complete than the stereotyped accounts of her life created by Hollywood executives. Read full review.

-Reviewed by Sandra L. Jamison

Confessions of a Video Vixen
by Karrine Steffans
Amistad/HarperCollins, June 2005
$24.95, ISBN 0-060-84242-3

Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans

Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans

Karen Steffans' controversial memoir and name-dropping tell-all about life in the fast lane. Steffans moves from a picture of her grim childhood in St. Thomas to her sexually-charged life as Yizette Steffans, a sought-after video film star appearing in scores of music videos before the ripe old age of 20. Sordid details are few - instead, Steffans presents a quick, well-written read which pulls at the heartstrings and serves as a warning to young women dreaming of making it show biz. Read full review.

-Reviewed by Jonathan Luckett

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Departments Recent News New Reviews - Fiction - Nonfiction - Children's - Young Adult About Us Background Staff Bios Advertising Info Bestsellers Lists Flying Off the Shelves Essence Customer Services Letters to the Editor Register for E-Alerts Subscriptions __________________ Sign up for the African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America Washington, DC May 19-21, 2006 __________________ A TARGET MARKET NEWS Company Copyright `© 2006 by Target Market News` All rights reserved Black Issues Book Review Business address: Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1522 New York, NY 10118 Tel. 212-947-8515 Fax 212-947-5674	NEW REVIEWS / NON-FICTION Telling Our Own Stories Creating Black Americans: African American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present by Nell Irvin Painter Oxford University Press, November 2005 $30, ISBN 0-195-13755-8 In her latest book, this Princeton professor and historian constructs an account of black history for a new generation of readers. The book is both current and engaging as the author covers a culture that spans across centuries. From black life before slavery to black voters in the 2000 presidential election, from incarceration to health care, Creating Black Americans will fascinate readers who are interested in the new ways we give meaning to the past. Read full review. -Reviewed by Aaron Bryant Einstein on Race and Racism by Fred Jerome and Rodger Taylor Rutgers University Press, July 2005 $23.95, ISBN 0-8135-3617-0 Examines an often ignored facet of Einstein’s life: his fight against entrenched racism in America, which he called “a disease of white people.” This excellent book examines, among other things, Einstein’s participation in anti-lynching campaigns, his friendship with Paul Robeson and WEB DuBois, his correspondence with the National Urban League, his regular contributions to the NAACP magazine, and his landmark speech at historically black Lincoln University in 1946, in which he decried segregation in America. Read full review. -Reviewed by C. Gerald Fraser Stepin Fetchit: The Life and Times of Lincoln Perry by Mel Watkins Pantheon Books, October 2005 $26.95, ISBN 0-375-42382-6 The Zeitgeist of many black Americans in 1927 was represented by Lincoln Perry a.k.a. Stepin Fetchit, a brilliant actor and comedian whose roles embodied Hollywood's worst stereotypes about blacks. The biography makes the point that the actor and the characters he created were not the same. Perry's life becomes a reference point from which the history of blacks in the motion picture industry is examined. Read full review. -Reviewed by Woodie King Jr. Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood by Jill Watts Amistad/HarperCollins, October 2005 $27.95, ISBN 0-060-51490-6 A fascinating biography of Hattie McDaniel - the first black Oscar winner, known to many only as Mammy from Gone With the Wind. Watts delves into the harrowing dilemma faced by McDaniel and other black actors of her time - that of accepting demeaning, creatively unchallenging roles or leaving their intended profession. Thanks to Jill Watts a portrait of McDaniel emerges that is far more interesting, complex, and complete than the stereotyped accounts of her life created by Hollywood executives. Read full review. -Reviewed by Sandra L. Jamison Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans Amistad/HarperCollins, June 2005 $24.95, ISBN 0-060-84242-3 Karen Steffans' controversial memoir and name-dropping tell-all about life in the fast lane. Steffans moves from a picture of her grim childhood in St. Thomas to her sexually-charged life as Yizette Steffans, a sought-after video film star appearing in scores of music videos before the ripe old age of 20. Sordid details are few - instead, Steffans presents a quick, well-written read which pulls at the heartstrings and serves as a warning to young women dreaming of making it show biz. Read full review. *-Reviewed by Jonathan Luckett* __________________________________________________ Copyright © 2006 Black Issues Book Review Empire State Building • 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1522 New York, NY • 10118-0165 (212) 947-8515 voice • (212) 947-5674 fax	On Sale Now! Cover Story: S. Epatha Merkerson goes from buying books for her own pleasure to purchasing rights to film Leaving Cecil Street By Sharon D. Johnson PLUS: Highlighting National Poetry Month Other Voices: The Millennial Poets and Personae By Camille Dungy Poetry Reviews: Rhythms of Past, Present and Future A new anthology and poetry collections Singular Notes: Self-published poets share the limelight Edited by Quraysh Ali Lansana