A comprehensive, all-new collection bringing together the most thoughtful, inspiring, and wisest voices from the Black diaspora across history. Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations paints a rich canvas of Black history through time. Five thousand quotes are culled from the time of Ancient Egypt through American slavery, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Era, Apartheid, to the present day. With a foreword by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and passages from authors, artists, scientists, philosophers, theologians, activists, politicians, and many others, Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations will appeal not only to quote aficionados and researchers, but also to history buffs. Aesop's Fables and the Holy Bible are in the same company as Nelson Mandela and President Obama; Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison; Bob Marley and Jay-Z. A wonderful reference tool and gift, Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations is sure to follow in the footsteps of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations , becoming a beloved authority. Nearly 5,000 quotes from black activists, artists, authors, politicians, theologians, and more are offered here, in the traditional Bartlett’s format (arranging speakers chronologically by year of birth, no annotations). Editor Powers has made the selections from diverse sources such as African proverbs, the Bible, song lyrics, and quotes from famous men and women of all time periods. As noted in the preface, many of the quotes “illuminate and debate what blackness is and what it means to be human.” There is an index of authors and an extensive and detailed keyword index. This useful and hefty source is recommended for all collections. --Rebecca Vnuk "An impressively researched and documented collection of the finest thought produced by writers throughout the African Diaspora. A magnificent achievement." --Henry Louis Gates, Jr. "It is not only the most comprehensive book of quotations from black thinkers over some 5,000 years of recorded history, but it also possesses something no other book of quotations quite does: a potent and sweeping narrative arc. It is possible to consume this book avidly from end to end."--Dwight Garner, New York Times "A meaty, motley collection...The more time I spent with the book, the more deeply I was drawn."--Gene Demby, NPR Praise for BARTLETT'S FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS: "[A] venerable reference work."-- Huffington Post "If you want a snapshot of who we are and why, this is where to look."--Jeff Glor, CBS This Morning "Because it is one of the handful of reference staples that patrons are likely to ask for by name, no self-respecting library should be without it."-- Booklist Retha Powers is editor of the anthology, Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica and co-editor of This is My Best: Great Writers Share Their Favorite Work . Her journalism and essays have appeared in publications such as Essence , Ms. , The New York Times Magazine , and Glamour . Powers holds an undergraduate degree from Howard University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College. A publishing professional for over twenty years, she is currently the Assistant Director of the Publishing Certificate Program at City College of New York.