Eyewitness
By William Loren Katz

At the public schools I went to, we were taught only a little section on black achievement—maybe a chapter on Booker T. Washington. The first time I read this book—a detailed account of the contributions black people have made to this country—I was in 11th grade. It's a collection of poetry, photographs, and excerpts from speeches, editorials, and diaries.

Back then I carried it with me everywhere, not only because I was in need of this information but because I felt it was my duty to make sure other people had it. My copy is dog-eared, but I just keep lending it out.