A monumental biography of one of the most important black women of the nineteenth century.Sojourner Truth: ex-slave and fiery abolitionist, figure of imposing physique, riveting preacher and spellbinding singer who dazzled listeners with her wit and originality. Straight-talking and unsentimental, Truth became a national symbol for strong black women—indeed, for all strong women. Like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, she is regarded as a radical of immense and enduring influence; yet, unlike them, what is remembered of her consists more of myth than of personality.Now, in a masterful blend of scholarship and sympathetic understanding, eminent black historian Nell Irvin Painter goes beyond the myths, words, and photographs to uncover the life of a complex woman who was born into slavery and died a legend. Inspired by religion, Truth transformed herself from a domestic servant named Isabella into an itinerant pentecostal preacher; her words of empowerment have inspired black women and poor people the world over to this day. As an abolitionist and a feminist, Truth defied the notion that slaves were male and women were white, expounding a fact that still bears repeating: among blacks there are women; among women, there are blacks.No one who heard her speak ever forgot Sojourner Truth, the power and pathos of her voice, and the intelligence of her message. No one who reads Painter's groundbreaking biography will forget this landmark figure and the story of her courageous life.

“As far as neatly and efficiently chronicling African Americans and the importance of their hair, Hair Story gets to the root of things.” —Philadelphiaweekly.comHair Story is a historical and anecdotal exploration of Black Americans’ tangled hair roots. A chronological look at the culture and politics behind the ever-changing state of Black hair from fifteenth-century Africa to the present-day United States, it ties the personal to the political and the popular.Read about:Why Black American slaves used items like axle grease and eel skin to straighten their hair.How a Mexican chemist straightened Black hair using his formula for turning sheep’s wool into a minklike fur.How the Afro evolved from militant style to mainstream fashion trend.What prompted the creation of the Jheri curl and the popular style’s fall from grace.The story behind Bo Derek’s controversial cornrows and the range of reactions they garnered.Major figures in the history of Black hair are presented, from early hair-care entrepreneurs Annie Turnbo Malone and Madam C. J. Walker to unintended hair heroes like Angela Davis and Bob Marley. Celebrities, stylists, and cultural critics weigh in on the burgeoning sociopolitical issues surrounding Black hair, from the historically loaded terms “good” and “bad” hair, to Black hair in the workplace, to mainstream society’s misrepresentation and misunderstanding of kinky locks.Hair Story is the book that Black Americans can use as a benchmark for tracing a unique aspect of their history, and it’s a book that people of all races will celebrate as the reference guide for understanding Black hair.“A comprehensive and colorful look at a very touchy subject.” —Essence

A rip-roaring introduction to Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, patrolling New York City’s roughest streets in the groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series. “[This] Harlem saga vies with the novels of David Goodis and Jim Thompson as the inescapable achievement of postwar American crime fiction.” —The New York TimesFor the love of fine, wily Imabelle, hapless Jackson surrenders his life savings to a con man who knows the secret of turning ten-dollar bills into hundreds—and then he steals from his boss, only to lose the stolen money at a craps table. Luckily for him, he can turn to his savvy twin brother, Goldy, who earns a living—disguised as a Sister of Mercy—by selling tickets to Heaven in Harlem. With Goldy on his side, Jackson is ready for payback.

Romantic Women’s Fiction with Heart and Soul...Trevon Campbell's world changed the moment his ex-girlfriend announced he was a father. Determined to make up for his past mistakes, Trevon gives Trina what she wanted before their breakup, what feels like his soul, which means he needs to forget about the exotic woman who stole his heart one fateful night.Kai Malone refuses to play by her family's rules. Instead of working for the family business, she became a firefighter. Working in a field dominated by men is hard enough, especially when you have a multicultural heritage, but Kai dedicates her life to her career to be the best and so she doesn’t have to think about the infidelity of her fiancé. Tired of his deceit, she gave in to a one-night stand with a complete stranger, someone she'd never have to see again—or so she thought.When tragedy strikes, their worlds collide, leaving them no choice but to interact with each other again. It doesn't take long for them to realize the attraction that brought them together the first time is stronger than ever, forcing Trevon to make the biggest decision of his life.All novels in the Butterfly Memoirs are stand-alone stories—no cliffhangers. Each book revisits each of the characters' lives, though, so you'll enjoy following along with old friends as you meet new ones..Editorial Reviews:????? "…heartbreaking, heartwarming, loving moments, it quietly swept me off my feet." — VINE VOICE????? "…great story with great characters…highly recommend." — Net Galley Reviews