Black and British: An Illustrated History

Description

Black and British: An Illustrated History

David Olusoga, illustrated by Jake Alexander & Melleny Taylor

(Pan Macmillan) – hardback

 Black and British: An Illustrated History ‘explains how national history is intertwined with our family histories’.

This means that we track from the African community resident at Hadrian’s Wall in Roman Britain. Thereafter we learn about John Blanke, who played trumpet at the funeral of Henry VII and the coronation of Henry VIII. Meanwhile, we realise what Sir John Hawkins started as he sought to trade enslaved Africans with the Spanish communities of the Americas. 

It seems the slave trade brought Britain huge prosperity. What’s more, it was not only the direct and brutal trade of people, but the plantations that they worked. Sugar was addictive to Georgian Britain. Therefore, when Jonathan Strong’s plight motivated Granville Sharp to make the abolition of slavery his life’s goal, it was an uphill battle. Furthermore, even after slavery was abolished in Britain its profits enabled further wealth with the Industrial Revolution. 

We read of African or West Indian soldiers who signed up to fight in WWI. It seems those who arrived expecting work in Britain, could not find jobs or houses, because of the colour of their skin. Again in WWII, Africans and West Indians joined the British forces and came to Britain to do war work. Yet after the war more workers were needed to help Britain’s recovery. This led to The Story of the Windrush. Thereafter, Black and British: An Illustrated History, concludes with critical events of recent times, including Black Lives Matter. Furthermore, we read of black people of note and influence.  David Olusoga Black and British: An Illustrated History is an essential book for home and school.