Read this!
Growing up conservative, I thought theses events were LONG ago and everything is equal. As an adult, i've seen that some of these figures existed in my parents lifetime. MLK would be in his 90s today.
It's important to keep these issues talked about. It's important for us to accept these hard truths and work toward change. I live in Louisville and I know people who knew Breonna. I've seen firsthand the issues conservatives refuse to accept. Listen, learn, change.

This is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful book. It spans centuries and brings us all the way to today. These voices need to be heard and this visual experience is an incredible way to show the history. This is a powerful book and it left me needing to know even more of the truth.

As the founder of Rock 'n' Roll Highway, my journey through the musical landscapes of the South has always been about uncovering the roots of the music that shaped American culture. But nothing prepared me for the depth and intensity of The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience. This book is a profound exploration of African American history, told through a powerful blend of words and imagery that both enlightens and haunts.

From the first moment I opened this book, I was struck by its beauty. The visual experience crafted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and the editors of The New York Times Magazine is nothing short of stunning. The original artwork by thirteen Black artists and the archival images create a visceral connection to the history being told—a history that places slavery and resistance at the very heart of the American story.

For someone who has spent years celebrating the music born out of the African American experience, this book hit especially close to home. The 1619 Project doesn’t just tell the story of slavery—it reveals how that painful history is deeply intertwined with the music we celebrate today. From the brutal beginnings of “jungle music” during the time of the first enslaved Africans to the birth of jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, and hip-hop, this book comprehensively explains how the African American struggle shaped the sounds that define our culture.

Traveling through the Delta and New Orleans, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the music that rose from these regions. But The 1619 Project deepens that connection by framing this music within the larger context of resistance and survival. The book’s essays and visuals make it impossible to separate the joy of the music from the pain of the history that created it.

This is not just a book; it’s an experience. It challenges you to sit with the discomfort of America’s past while celebrating Black Americans' resilience and creativity. It’s a book that every person interested in the history of American music should read, but it’s also much more than that. It’s a necessary reflection on what this nation owes to a people who have given so much yet received so little in return.

The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience is a must-read—five stars doesn’t even begin to capture its impact. Whether you’re a music lover, a history enthusiast, or simply want to understand America more fully, this book will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s a testament to the power of art and history to reshape our understanding of the world, and I highly recommend it to everyone who cares about the story of America.

A stunning companion to the important 1619 Project text that came out previously. This book is jam-packed full of beautiful pictures, history, and culture. This would make a fantastic gift.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

For those who have already read the phenomenal work, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, this offering is a lovely complement to the original masterpiece in that it offers visuals to convey what sometimes words cannot. There’s an expression: A picture is worth a thousand words – this book is about half the size but still remains as informative and inspiring as the original. The selected photos are chosen with care and purpose -- “FUBU” vibes: taken by African American photographers, featuring African American subjects living their lives as best as they could, and includes some that are painful, but necessary to tell the entire story of the American experience(s) that touch on key topics and underlying themes such as resistance,. patriotism, and freedom.

Simply put – this is American history and should be included in school curriculums. Sadly, it isn’t, thus it should be purchased, studied, and treasured in every home.

Thanks to the publisher, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Clarkson Potter, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.