Black Panthers for Beginners (Tr)

I'm currently reading other books on the Panthers, and I can say that Boyd's Black Panthers for Beginners is a pretty good introduction to the activist group. He seems to outline the history of the Party and the reasons for its popular appeal.The book would be a very good gift/read for young students; however, I hope this book will lead readers to read primary sources and more extended works about the Panthers. For example, one should definitely follow up Boyd's "Beginners" with a reading of Huey P. Newton's memoir "Revolutionary Suicide" and other works by Panther members.The only problem I had with this book is that the author didn't include enough about the "survival" programs of the Party which included the community schools and breakfast programs. Understandably it was important for Boyd to focus on Party's constant run in with the racist police force, but when you finish the book that part of the Party becomes the lasting impression you get of the Party. It almost seems like that history of the Party was little more than a history of police raids, informants, murder raps, court appearances, acquittals, and violence. While this reality existed, it's important that we understand the vision of the Party.Lastly, I would hope this work inspires a definitive biography of the Black Panther Party. It needs to be written by someone who understands the vision of the Party but at the same time will work to describe the problems that ultimately bring the Party down.

All I can say is, this is one of the best ways to spend $10! If you are reading this review, you are interested. Buy this book at once! It is fabulous!

This is an excellent book on the black panthers. In fact, i have amassed more information on the BPP from this book than all of the panther books that i have read so far. Do not be fooled by the fact that this is a comic book, it contains nothing but pertinent information