List Affords Inspiring Reading That Gives Black History Its Due

Any student with a genuine interest in the contributions to American and world history by various ethnic groups is likely to be disappointed by standard history textbooks. The sections tend to be brief and, as often as not, uninspired.

In observance of Black History Month, I have some supplementary reading to suggest. Consider the following titles to help make your study--or your child’s--more complete and more interesting.

Inventions by black Americans seem to fascinate children and teen-agers, and “Black Inventors of America,” by McKinley Burt Jr., is my favorite book on the subject.

In addition to the usual life stories and pictures of inventors, Burt also includes clear copies of actual blueprints and patent-approval documents. In large paperback, “Black Inventors” costs $12.95.

“Black Scientists of America,” by Richard X. Donovan, is a companion to Burt’s “Black Inventors.”

It tells about African-Americans in high-powered fields such as chemistry, cancer research and plasma physics.

I especially appreciate the thorough section on “Black Women in Science.”

This oversized paperback costs $11.95. Both books are best suited for readers in upper elementary grades and junior high.

For a more general survey, try “1999 Facts About Blacks: A Sourcebook of African-American Accomplishment” by Raymond M. Corbin. It presents black achievements in history, art and literature, and sports and entertainment by asking trivia-type questions (answers are at the back).

The black-and-white illustrations are few and rather poor in quality, but the text compensates.

“1999 Facts” costs $10.95 in paperback. I recommend it for students in upper elementary grades and older.

Grade-school children will enjoy “Africa Is Not a Country--It’s a Continent” by Dr. Arthur Lewin.

It describes the geography, people and cultures of Africa through puzzles and games, and has pictures to color and easy text. In oversized paperback, “Africa” costs $9.95.

“What They Never Told You in History Class” pretty much delivers what its title implies: world history from a credible Afrocentric view.

Appropriate for teen-agers and adults, the book gives Africa and Africans the credit due them, starting with placing the origins of the human race in Africa. It tells how Africans were the first mathematicians, and it describes numerous inventions and discoveries by blacks throughout history.

This excellent 300-page paperback is written by Indus Khamit-Kush and costs $16.95.

You can’t survey black history without studying Martin Luther King Jr., but choosing from the myriad biographies can seem bewildering.

James H. Cone takes a refreshing new path by linking King’s life with that of his more controversial colleague, Malcolm X.

“Martin and Malcolm and America: A Dream or a Nightmare?” compares and contrasts the goals, methods and results of both men. It is suited for readers in high school and older. The hardcover edition costs $22.95.

It has always amazed me that in every U.S. war, black soldiers have fought and died to defend a way of life that most of them were barred from.

“The Tuskegee Airmen: The Men Who Changed a Nation,” by Charles E. Francis, describes the exploits of a World War II squadron that earned honors in campaigns in Greece, Germany, Sicily and elsewhere.

Finally, for an inexpensive look into black history every month, try a subscription to “Holoman’s Black Achievers: Your Guide to Black Achievers, Past and Present.”

Published in Los Angeles, the monthly newspaper features poems and articles featuring a variety of black Americans. You can pick it up for free at many Westside locations or get it by mail for $20 a year. To order a subscription or find out the distribution locations, call Lavora Wilson at (213) 299-1378.

My favorite spot for black literature is the Black and Latino Multicultural Book Center in Pasadena, (818) 792-0117.

Many of them are also available at Midnight Special in Santa Monica and Eso Won Books in Inglewood.