The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Ratings55
Average rating4.5
A definitive history indeed. This book is DENSE; while reading I kept thinking every American needs to read this, but most people would never pick up a book of this size. While definitely a history book, thorough and academic, it wasn't unapproachable. What Yuval Noah Harari did in Sapiens to illustrate the expanse of humanity, Kendi has done with the history of racism in America. The subtitle is not an exaggeration. This isn't something one can read while distracted - it's an investment, but it's worth it.
I kept thinking he needed a shorter summary version of this book, so I was happy to see there's a newer book (Stamped) with another author that sounds like it's meant for an audience with a shorter attention span. I'll try to read that version at some point, but I'm preemptively adding it to my Every Human reading list.