The Black Diaspora: Five Centuries of the Black Experience Outside Africa by Ronald Segal -Hardcover – August 31, 1995

 In *The Black Diaspora: Five Centuries of the Black Experience Outside Africa*, Ronald Segal provides a broad overview of the experiences of Black people around the world from the era of the slave trade to the present. Segal, who found it challenging to find a suitable author for this expansive topic, undertakes the task himself, though he admits the book is not a definitive work. His narrative begins with the history of the slave trade, moves through life in the colonies, and covers the path to emancipation. He also includes reflections from his travels to the Caribbean and the Americas.

The book focuses on a wide range of experiences rather than deep dives into specific events or issues. For example, it offers a very brief mention of major U.S. events like Brown v. Board of Education and trends such as rap music, without extensive analysis. Segal excels in illustrating the diversity of the Black experience, highlighting how different regions—such as Barbados, Trinidad, and Brazil—shaped and were shaped by Black communities.

In its conclusion, the book explores the cultural legacy of the Black diaspora, touching on aspects like music, art, languages, sports, and religion. While it may not provide exhaustive details, Segal’s work aims to stimulate further exploration and understanding of the rich and varied history of Black people outside Africa.

Abou the Author

Ronald Michael Segal (14 July 1932 – 23 February 2008) was a South African activist, writer and editor, founder of the anti-apartheid magazine Africa South and the Penguin African Library.

Ronald Segal was born on 14 July 1932, into a rich South African Jewish family. He was educated at Sea Point Boys' High School. After failing to gain entry to Oxford University, he studied at Cape Town University and then Trinity College, Cambridge.

Returning to South Africa in 1956, he founded the anti-apartheid magazine Africa South. After the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, he went into exile with Oliver Tambo and settled in England, continuing his anti-apartheid political activity and pursuing activity as a writer. Segal's best-known work is The State of the World Atlas (first edition, 1981), which he co-founded with Michael Kidron, another South African-born Jew, who shared most of his political views.

After Segal was unbanned from South Africa, he visited the country several times, receiving a hero's welcome on stage alongside Mandela, Tambo, and Slovo in 1992. Segal died on 23 February 2008. Wikipedia

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First Edition (August 31, 1995)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374113963
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374113964
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
• Condition: Used Very Good
• Dust Jacket: Fine

Inscribed, certainly, to the previous owner "Enjoy Merry Christmas 1995" with a drawn heart on the front free endpaper. Otherwise, like new, clean and bright. DJ intact.