Anna-Lisa Cox's newest book, The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America's Forgotten Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality.
Honored by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of their eight best history books of 2018.
Before there was a city of Chicago, before Los Angeles, when Detroit was still a Fort, African American pioneers were succeeding and rising on the nation's earliest frontier. This is their story – a story buried by violence and denial – a story of success on a level never thought possible, and the backlash against that rising.
Organizations recommending The Bone and Sinew of the Land
In June Amazon made The Bone and Sinew of the Land a "Best Book" for the entire month.
Ibram Kendi
National Book Award winner Ibram Kendi made the book one of his "Recommended Summer Reads" on the Black Perspectives Website.
The newsfeed Axios made it one of their top "Beach Reads"
Wisconsin Public Radio made it one of their top five picks for summer reading.
The renowned independent bookstore in California, Bookshop Santa Cruz, loved The Bone and Sinew of the Land and made it their staff pick.
Recent features on Anna-Lisa Cox’s work and writing
Smithsonian Magazine Feature
Lorraine Boissoneault did a wonderful job capturing the essence of this lost history and found beautiful photos to accompany this feature.
Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura’s amazing feature on the map of the hundreds of long-lost African American settlements from America’s earliest frontier.
The Washington Post
Click here for the link to the Washington Post's feature article on Anna-Lisa's exhibit on African-American pioneers.
Daily Mail
Even England is getting excited about this long-lost history. Check out this feature in the Daily Mail newspaper.
A Sample of Recent Reviews
Radio Interviews and Podcasts
The Majority Report with Sam Seder
Thanks to Sam Seder and the amazing team of the Majority Report for making The Bone and Sinew of the Land the feature of their show. Watch the YouTube video or listen to the Podcast!
Chuck Mertz, "This is Hell!"
Thanks to Chuck Mertz for an intense and interesting interview on This is Hell!
"This is a fascinating book, one of my very favorites that I have read so far this year." -- Chuck Mertz, Host of "This is Hell!"
History Fangirl podcast
History Fangirl is a fan!
"The Source" interview on Philadelphia’s WURD
New Books Network
Adam McNeil asked some challenging questions during this far-ranging interview.
Programs for Young People
In addition to giving popular and well-received lectures to adult audiences, Anna-Lisa Cox also enjoys working with Middle and High School students, tailoring her cutting-edge historical research to this age group. She excels at helping them to feel connected to the American past by focusing her presentations around the particular environments and communities these young people come from.
Feedback from some of Anna-Lisa’s past presentations:
“I wanted to thank you again for spending time with my students and making history come alive with that special knack you have!” Enuma Menkiti, Executive Director Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York
“The girls connected your visit to their personal experiences and to what's happening in media, and in culture in general, right now.... Everyone got the chance to make a final statement, and it was clear from their final statements that they really felt empowered by what you taught and how you shared it. . . . Thank you, Anna-Lisa, for making the time and sharing such powerful content with us. You're a truly gifted teacher.” Brianne Carpenter, Program Director Creative Youth Center, Michigan
“Watching the children engaged and asking questions at your talk yesterday was the highlight of my week, my month! You are so good at engaging and teaching young people. . . . Thank you for giving them that experience.” Stacy Jackson, Executive Director Chicago Lights, Illinois
