This is a collection of essays by an assistant professor at Harvard University about different aspects of the African-American experience.

Almost immediately, I realized that the tone of these essays was challenging, but enjoyable. These are essays that can be understood by someone without a lot of background in the discourse around these types of issues, but the tone is clearly closer to a college lecture than a web essay. I appreciated the opportunity to flex those muscles, and I definitely learned a lot.

The essay topics were not always what one would expect from an anti-racist collection. One that enjoyed particularly was about Black artists, including Kehinde Wiley and Juan de Pareja. Wiley is best known for his portrait of Barack Obama, but the essay discusses his take on the famous painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps. Juan de Pareja remastered similar techniques to Diego Velasquez, applying them to his own painting. His self-portrait is the cover image. I actually ended up using these paintings in my homeroom class for Black history month, which is not something I would have done without this book.

One mark of a good nonfiction book, particularly one that focuses on culture, is how much it inspires you to research further. I added several books to Goodreads from these essays. I also listened to a couple of albums during my workdays, and I definitely would not have understood the nuance without the essays.

I’m not sure how much this book is being promoted. There are only three reviews on Goodreads right now, and it’s published today. However, there’s a reason it has a 5 star rating. If you are looking for an anti-racism book to read that delves into topics you might not have heard of otherwise, this is the book for you.

I think this is the earliest candidate to emerge for My Favorite Book of 2021--it's erudite, morally acute, and mostly beautifully written (a few of the essays are a little overladen with adjectives or mixed metaphors). The essay in which he stretches the concept of "black poetry" to include Sappho is probably my favorite. And of course everybody loves "Notes on Trap."

You can easily feel Mccarthy's education and familiarly with thesis and essays in this work. Despite its academic undertone McCarthy's passion for art, literature, and politics seeps through the pages and pulls you in. prepare to expand your knowledge of many artists, writers and creators that have influenced many generations. This is an enjoyable and education piece from a passionate author that will leave you with a transformed understanding of race, art, identity and representation.