Black Book Publishers in the United States: A Historical Dictionary of the Presses, 1817-1990

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

For nearly 200 years there have been Black-owned book publishers in the United States, addressing the special concerns of black people in ways that other book publishers have not. This is a study of the individual publishing histories of 46 of these companies. It provides details of literary history, as well as facts about the contribution of Blacks to Western civilization. The firms included in the book were selected through an examination of major bibliographic works, book advertisements, periodical literature and business directories. Each profile contains details of the company's publishing history, books and other publications, information sources about the company, other titles issued, libraries holding titles produced by the publisher, and officers and addresses, where appropriate. Entries are arranged alphabetically, an appendix presents a geographic listing of the firms and an index offers author, title and subject access.

Reviews

According to Joyce little attention has been given to the activities of black US book publishers. His dictionary attempts to rectify that situation with detailed profiles of 45 blackowned denominational, institutional, and commercial firms. Each article includes a brief narrative history followed by brief critical summaries of major books published. One reads, for example that Counter Clockwise by John Lee (A. Wendell Malliet and Co., 1940) is "melodramatic with patently stereotyped characters," and that Maleficium by Russell Atkins (Free Lance Press, 1971) is made up of 20 "skillfully crafted vignettes." The historical essays are supported with notes and bibliographies, lists of titles from the particular firms, names of libraries holding specific titles, and names of the firms' chief executive officers. In many cases Joyce obtained historical details and statistics of press runs directly from the publishers themselves, thus providing an insider's view of the world of black publishing. Some of the information here can also be found in Joyce's Gatekeepers of Black Culture: Black Owned Book Publishing in the United States, 1817-1981 (CH, Jul '83), but dictionary format makes the present work more convenient for reference use. Recommended for libraries of institutions where there is interest in black culture and history as well as those supporting studies in the history of American journalism.-Choice
The book is indispensable for any research into Black book publishing. Its interest extends beyond the scholar to the ordinary citizen, who will find this book most useful.-ARBA
"The book is indispensable for any research into Black book publishing. Its interest extends beyond the scholar to the ordinary citizen, who will find this book most useful."-ARBA
"According to Joyce little attention has been given to the activities of black US book publishers. His dictionary attempts to rectify that situation with detailed profiles of 45 blackowned denominational, institutional, and commercial firms. Each article includes a brief narrative history followed by brief critical summaries of major books published. One reads, for example that Counter Clockwise by John Lee (A. Wendell Malliet and Co., 1940) is "melodramatic with patently stereotyped characters," and that Maleficium by Russell Atkins (Free Lance Press, 1971) is made up of 20 "skillfully crafted vignettes." The historical essays are supported with notes and bibliographies, lists of titles from the particular firms, names of libraries holding specific titles, and names of the firms' chief executive officers. In many cases Joyce obtained historical details and statistics of press runs directly from the publishers themselves, thus providing an insider's view of the world of black publishing. Some of the information here can also be found in Joyce's Gatekeepers of Black Culture: Black Owned Book Publishing in the United States, 1817-1981 (CH, Jul '83), but dictionary format makes the present work more convenient for reference use. Recommended for libraries of institutions where there is interest in black culture and history as well as those supporting studies in the history of American journalism."-Choice

Author Bio

DONALD FRANKLIN JOYCE is Director of the Felix G. Woodward Library at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.