Introduction to Black Studies

Rating:
Summary: An interesting work but rife with personal opinion
Review: I respect greatly the amount of time and effort Karenga obviously has spent on this work. A lot of material is covered; however I must contest the statement that it is well written. Many many basic grammatical errors as well as an undeniably wordy writing style at times make this book less than an enjoyable read.

I was sincerely dissapointed with the strong sense of Karenga's opinion evident in many places throughout the book. There is certainly nothing wrong with Karenga having an opinion or expressing it, but in an educational work designed to give the reader an introduction to black studies The authors personal passions about the "right" ideas versus the "wrong" ones relating to the advancement of black society seemed out of place.

It is an interesting work, I just find it dissapointing that this is the "definative work in the field of Black studies". Still a lot of good information is contained therein.

Rating:
Summary: I.B.S.:An Excellent Analysis of Black History & Culture
Review: The Introduction to Black Studies by Dr. Maulana Karenga is an invaluable contribution to history and humanity in terms of its afrocentric context in analyzing and accurately introducing the rich and varied history and contribution of continental Africans, African Americans and other Black peoples through out the World African Community to its readers. This book is a must read not only for those in college classes, it should also be used in high school curriculums, Rites of Passage programs and adults alike. I have yet to find another introductory text that gives such a comprehensive analysis of Black life in dignity affirming terms than the I.B.S. The structure in which the I.B.S. is presented to its reader provides for smooth transitions from one category or subject to another. Dr. Karenga appears to order the table of contents in the order of the seven basics areas of culture, i.e. Spirituality and Ethics, History, Social organization, Economic organization, Political organization, Creative Production and Ethos. The origin of this cultural structure is developed from the Communitarian African Philosophy, Kawaida, which means, "Tradition and Reason" also created by Dr. Karenga. More on Kawaida Philosophy can be found on page 173 of the I.B.S. The reader of the I.B.S. will also discover that Dr. Karenga uses category's that provides a logic of liberation in suggesting alternatives to the dominant society's views and values, in how they relate to the views and values of African Americans and other Black peoples. After each subject, Dr. Karenga has provided the reader with study questions and an extensive reference list from which further research and study can take place. Again, I highly recommend the reading of the Introduction to Black Studies and keeping it in one's personnal library as a major reference source.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This is an excellent introduction to the breadth and depth of Black Studies. Karenga treats the subject with great care and the details of a scholar. He provides a great bibliography to help the reader locate the views and ideas of others. This book is also great for classroom use. Students love it. You will grow with this book. It is well written and easy to follow. He systematically builds each chapter for the reader. It is a classic and a must read for anyone who is remotely interested in Black Studies. I highly recommend it!