Black AF History

The Un-Whitewashed Story of America

By: Michael Harriot

Narrated by: Michael Harriot

From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans.

America’s backstory is a whitewashed mythology implanted in our collective memory. It is the story of the pilgrims on the Mayflower building a new nation. It is George Washington’s cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. It is the fantastic tale of slaves that spontaneously teleported themselves here with nothing but strong backs and negro spirituals. It is a sugarcoated legend based on an almost true story.

It should come as no surprise that the dominant narrative of American history is blighted with errors and oversights—after all, history books were written by white men with their perspectives at the forefront. It could even be said that the devaluation and erasure of the Black experience is as American as apple pie.

In Black AF History, Michael Harriot presents a more accurate version of American history. Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research based on primary sources as well as the work of pioneering Black historians, scholars, and journalists, Harriot removes the white sugarcoating from the American story, placing Black people squarely at the center. With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary. For too long, we have refused to acknowledge that Americanhistory is white history. Not this one. This history is Black AF.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

I thought I knew my History

Aeesome! Awesome! Awesome! This book brought me to tears, fits of rage & laughter, sometimes at the same time! This should be included for required reading in the American household... Black History is American History, if only Americans can open their eyes...

This should be a required text. Outstanding!

Thank you Mr. Harriott. Well researched, well delivered, informative, witty, sad, triggering, educational, and most importantly factual. This book is long overdue. Kudos to you!

Reeducation of black experience and our history

Excellent re-education of what is America and black perserverance
chronicle of American History I have ever read!

Amazing!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this informative book and encourage everyone to read it several times! In fact, this should be required reading in all history classes, because it gives culturally accurate interpretation from the perspective of a “very smart brotha”. I loved it, and have told everyone to read it…and get the Audible version too, it’s hilarious!

Fantastic Book!

This is, no doubt, the best history book I have ever read. Story content augmented my basic understanding of American history. Narrator added that extra ump! I have recommended this book to everyone who has asked me “what are you reading now”. Absolutely the best book I have read in this past decade!