Historical

Mary Seacole

Author: Jane Robinson

The 'Greatest Black Briton in History' triumphed over the Crimea and Victorian England. The Times called her a heroine, Florence Nightingale called her a brothel-keeping quack, and Queen Victoria's nephew called her, simply, 'Mammy' - Mary Seacole was one of the most eccentric and charismatic women of her era. Born at her mother's hotel in Jamaica in 1805, she became an independent 'doctress' combining the herbal remedies of her African ancestry with sound surgical techniques. On the outbreak of the Crimean War, she arrived in London desperate to join Florence Nightingale at the Front, but the authorities refused to see her. Being black, nearly 50, rather stout, and gloriously loud in every way, she was obviously unsuitable. Undaunted, Mary travelled to Balaklava under her own steam to build the 'British Hotel', just behind the lines. It was an outrageous venture, and a huge success - she became known and loved by everyone from the rank and file to the royal family. For more than a century after her death this remarkable woman was all but forgotten. This, the first full-length biography of a Victorian celebrity recently voted the greatest black Briton in history, brings Mary Seacole centre stage at last.

Today's price: £7.99

Negro With a Hat

Author: Colin Grant

Sleeve:At one time during the first half of the twentieth century,Marcus Garvey was the most famous black man on the planet. Hailed as both the 'black Moses',and merely 'a Negro with a hat' he masterminded the first international Convention of the Negro Peoples of the World,began the Universal Negro Improvement Association and captivated audiences with his powerful speeches and audacious'Back to Africa programme.

Today's price: £8.99

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Author: Malcolm X

From hustling, drug addiction and armed violence in America's black ghettos Malcolm X turned, in a dramatic prison conversion, to the puritanical fervour of the Black Muslims. As their spokesman he became identified in the white press as a terrifying teacher of race hatred; but to his direct audience, the oppressed American blacks, he brought hope and self-respect. This autobiography (written with Alex Haley) reveals his quick-witted integrity, usually obscured by batteries of frenzied headlines, and the fierce idealism which led him to reject both liberal hypocrisies and black racialism. Table of Contents: Table of contents: Nightmare; Mascot; homeboy; Laura; Harlemite; Detroit Red; Hustler; trapped; Caught; satan; Saved; Saviour; Minister Malcolm X; Black Muslims; Icarus; Out; Mecca; El-Hajj

Today's price: £9.99

The Two Princes of Calabar

Author: Randy J Sparks

This book offers a rare glimpse into the slave trade on the Atlantic in the 18th century from an African perspective, this is the story of two princes, slave traders themselves, who were betrayed into slavery by African competitors.

Today's price: £15.99