African American Inventors (Black Stars)

Most of us in my generation only learned about the contributions of Black people when we went to college and took a Black History course and or studied Black History. Most minorities and White people take for granted on a daily basis many things we use daily and we just assume someone other than a Black person invented things such as the elevator, traffic lights, increased the production of how cotton was ginned; the many uses of the peanut. Buy this book! Most are totally unaware that a Black man orchestrated the building of Washington DC when the French architect who was hired to complete the drawings and oversee the construction became involved in a disagreement with those who funded the project. He took his drawings and all documents and returned to France. A Black man working under the French architect advised those funding the project that he could build the project. He did so from MEMORY. Buy the book! Many of these inventors were SLAVES. Some slave owners tried to steal and take credit for many inventions in use today. However, even in those times slaves prevailed in the court system although he remained a slave. This writing is but a superb primer into the many things in use today that are the result the brilliant minds of Black people. Just imagine during WWII the United States Congress debated whether a black American could fly a war plane. They brought forth finding that a Black man's brain was the size of an "APES" with about the same capacity to learn. Eleanor Roosevelt, President Roosevelt's wife learned that even though the Tuskegee Airmen the 332 fighter squadron, were trained to fly and fight were not allowed to fight; She was the main reason the Tuskegee Airmen did fight in WWII and served with distinction. Learn about the all black segregated air squadron that flew the P51 Mustang and was requested by White bomber pilots to escort them on raids into Germany because those Black pilots never lost a bomber that they escorted into Germany, but that's in another primer.When I was in grade school in California I learned nothing about Black History. When my father, a soldier, was transferred to Virginia I went to segregated schools, as the South was segregated even though the military was integrated and I lived in integrated military housing on the base. We were taught some things in elementary school about Black History and more so when I started high school. This was also when all these text books were new. Most text books for all grade levels were recycled from the all white school districts, but some new text books were provided to fill our schools need. When we were transferred back to California there was no more black history taught until i took a course in college. Great book not just for Black people, but for anyone interested in the missing chapters of OUR AMERICAN HISTORY!

Being a black man I am hungry for information on my people contributions to society. This book was too superficial to be appreciated. I did gain some knowledge from it but still feel a little more elaboration would have made it a fantastic book. And all those index pages; what are they suppose to mean? No real information as the exact inventions....just too general for me. Sort of left me hanging..

YES! VERY GOOD INFORMATION. BUT I THINK THIS BOOK OR AT LEAST MY/THIS COPY [HEY I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NEW!] WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY SOMEONE NAMED PHILLIP AS A GIFT FROM HIS GRANDMA WAY BACK IN 3-8-99. I WON'T BE GIVING THIS AWAY OR RESELLING IT.

The truth.

You must know a person's history to appreciate the person's potential. African American history is all the more remarkable considering the obstacles of oppression. To create a stronger America, we must refuse to hide the contributions of its founding citizens. Hiding the truth of African American greatness is directly linked to the poor ranking that America has in global educational standing. This book is important to uncovering that truth for our youngest citizens. My kids have been fascinated by the material and the discussions that the information inspires. So have I.

Great information. So much of it not widely known because it is not taught in our public schools and the great majority of citizens are not likely aware that the many conviences and necessities that we enjoy today were invented by African Americans.These facts should not be a secret.

If you're looking for a brief review of some of the contributions of Black Inventors to American proseprity. "Black Inventors Stars" is an excellent source to get you started. It is geared towards a younger audience but would be a useful source for all ages. Simply because Black history is not taught in main stream education, you have to search it out. Consequently a lot of people are ignorant to the contribuitions of Blacks to American Society. And that includes not a few Black adults. So if you are looking for a brief synopis to gain knowledge yourself or an introduction of Black history to your children. I would say buy this book it is a good source for beginning knowledge, for any race, to learn how the inventions of black people have subsidized America.

Great information about the lives and contributions of great Americans.

It's important to educate our children so I highly recommend this book!!!It covers people like Charles Drew (1904-1950) was born on June 3, 1904 in Washington, D.C. Charles Drew excelled in academics and sports during his graduate studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Charles Drew was also a honor student at McGill University Medical School in Montreal, where he specialized in physiological anatomy.Charles Drew researched blood plasma and transfusions in New York City. It was during his work at Columbia University where he made his discoveries relating to the preservation of blood. By separating the liquid red blood cells from the near solid plasma and freezing the two separately, he found that blood could be preserved and reconstituted at a later date.So buy your kids & Family this book if you want them to know their history!!!

Role Models can never be underestimated. This is a must-have for anyone who wants to get a balanced picture of inventors