Intelexual Media Book Club Vote #3 (Patreon)

For the third month of the Intelexual Media Book Club, we're back to deciding between two non-fiction books. Because this read will take place during November, I wanted to nominate a book that will challenge us to think more deeply about the national holiday of Thanksgiving when we dig into our upcoming delicious bounties. It is An Indigenous Peoples' History of The United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. If chosen, will the information in this book flicker in your mind between bites of gravy drizzled turkey, gooey macaroni and cheese, and succulent slices of pie? Will you think more frequently of the problems facing indigenous people in America even after Thanksgiving, especially under this administration? Or instead will we be sinking into another unrelenting and fact-based gem that challenges our views on the present, King Leopold's Ghost : A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild? 

Scroll down for more info about each book and to cast your vote! Also, if you've read Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (OMFG SO FUCKING GOOD), go over to the discussion board and leave a comment or question you'd like me to answer in my Q+A!

Option #1: A Peoples' History of The United States (Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz)

Synopsis: How did the United States steal land from and execute genocide against natives? What were the struggles and thoughts of natives during pivotal American history narratives that they are traditionally erased from? 

Pros: It's only 236 pages. It will give you a more well-rounded understanding of how oppression in this country functions against the original inhabitants of this land. Its truly a basic guide to understanding the plight of indigenous people if you've never done much research. If your only understanding of natives comes from high school history, this book will serve up some cold facts. 

Cons: Cold facts mean its not a light read. Neither of this months books are, but King Leopold's Ghost reads more like a story. This is more clinical in approach though still very interesting. 

Average Read Time: 4 Hours (236 Pages)

First Published: 2014

Average Pricing: $14 on Amazon, $15 on GoodReads, Free Audiobook with $9/month Scrib'd Subscription 

Option #2: King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa (Adam Hochschild)

Synopsis: You've probably heard about current miseries in the Congo (if not I'll be fixing that soon), and this book breaks down how Belgium slaughtered over 10 million Congolese people and drained the area of natural resources under the direction of King Leopold II. Comparable to the homicidal tyranny of Hitler but rarely given as much lip service in our history courses here in America, this book tells the story wonderfully.

Pros: The book is told in one of my favorite styles: narrative nonfiction. It's gripping, introduces historical players as characters, and includes lush details. It's also rather cheap, as both the book and audiobook are available on scribd. 

Cons: I honestly can't think of one. It's heavy, but its so enlightening. One of those books AND historical events that all black people especially should be aware of.

Average Read Time: 5 Hours (306 Pages)

First Published: 1998

Average Pricing: $11 on Amazon, $4 on GoodReads, Book and Audiobook Free on Scrib'd with $9/month subscription

Book Club Tip: if you love reading, Scrib'd is an amazing online resource that grants you unlimited access to books, magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks. If you click this link, you'll receive two free months of Scrib'd! 

After mulling over the pros and cons, be sure to cast your vote by October 31st! If you're a $5+ patron and you'd like to be entered to win a copy of the selected book, simply leave a comment saying, "I Voted!"