Black Firsts

December 1, 2012

Carney presents major accomplishments ranging from firsts in cartooning and jazz to sporting firsts for jockeys in the Kentucky Derby. Brief profiles are presented chronologically and cover major figures such as Michael Jackson and Jackie Robinson as well as lesser-known figures such as Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first black member of a varsity collegiate baseball club. Entries, several of which offer photos of their subjects, range in length from a few sentences to a full paragraph and each includes information on primary sources of data. The well-researched sketches provide a great deal of information in an economical space. Of particular note is the section on military firsts, which includes those who have served in wars from the American Revolution through the present, among them James T. Whitehead, the first black pilot of a U-2 spy plane, and Hazel Winifred Johnson, the first black woman to achieve the rank of general in the Army. VERDICT This is an excellent resource for starting research on black history, but its sheer volume may be overwhelming to casual researchers. The lesser-known figures, however, make the title worth digging into.--Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy Lib., Houston, TX

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2013
The third edition of this invaluable resource of African American achievements updates the previous edition, from 2003 to the present day. Events are arranged into categories such as arts and entertainment; government (local, state, and federal); science and medicine; and education, with subheadings within each category. These firsts are listed in chronological order and range from a couple of sentences to almost a full page. Contemporary achievements are included as well as previously undiscovered firsts from the preRevolutionary War era. More than 350 photos are included. Recommended for anyone from elementary-school age to adults who are interested in African American history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)