Fortunately, books are great record keepers. Thanks to them, we can hold firsthand knowledge of something that happened 50 years ago in our palms. Plus, there are some authors with the resources and knowledge to do an immense amount of research. So even though they didn’t live through a specific event they can pass it on reliably. Black history books are windows into the lives of others, past and present. This list tries to compile some of the best nonfiction Black history books for adults. From graphic novels to essay collections, here are 15 nonfiction Black history books to read this month.
15 Nonfiction Black History Books to Read This Month
We also have a list of 10 underrated books for Black History Month for further reading! Or if history’s not your thing, check out the Black Romance list! We also talked about the best children’s books for Black History Month! This is a more recent and personal book that still talks about the struggles that Black people have had to deal with for generations. In it, Jesmyn Ward talks about the loss of five Black men who were close to her — to accidents, murder, and suicide. They were all victims of a predetermined fate. One that stacked race and class against them. It’s a very personal story that deals with loss, racism, sexism and classism. Men We Reaped is a relatable book that demonstrates how identity and place are factors in the way people, and the world, treat you.
