Description 2
The Romans’ conquest of North Africa opened the door to foreign penetration of Africa, such as the Muslim invasion. Bradley discusses the African Moors conquest of Spain for Islam, the outstanding culture that they built, their centuries of rule and glory, their fall, and their exile from Spain.
The author tells about great African empires that grew wealthy and powerful from trade during the Middle Ages when Europe was in the Dark Ages; the famous University of Sankore in Timbuktu where students from Europe, Asia, and Africa went to study; and the famous medical school in Jenne, where surgeons removed cataracts from human eyes.
He explains why some African kings sold other Africans into slavery; describes how the slave trade devastated Africa, bringing ruin and decay and causing divisiveness and mistrust among Africans; and tells about Queen Nzinga of Angola, Africa's greatest slave abolitionist.
Africans first arrived in the Americas with the Spanish who brought them as slaves, servants, soldiers, and explorers. Estevanico, the best-known black explorer with the Spanish, led an expedition that opened up the area that is now New Mexico and Arizona. Bradley discusses the period of gruesome seasoning that forced newly arrived Africans to be slaves. Runaway slaves in Brazil established what became the state of Palmares and blacks successfully revolted against the Europeans and established the nation of Haiti. In detail, the author discusses a long list of black heroes from ancient through modern times, including the brilliant Haitian General Toussaint L'Ouverture and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
Bradley discusses the traumas of the slave experiences that left psychological scars that still exist within blacks today. These mental shackles are invisible, yet they are powerful and devastating. He discusses ways for black people to overcome these mental restraints.