Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations 5,000 Years of Literature, Lyrics, Poems, Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs from Voices Around the World

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.

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.