The official site of William Loren Katz and Black Indians
William Loren Katz (June 2, 1927 – October 25, 2019) had a rich, prolific life dedicated to exposing important parts of American history not included in textbooks. He wrote forty books revealing the authentic stories of African Americans, Native Americans and other notable historic groups including Black Indians, The Black West, Breaking the Chains: African American slave resistance, and Black Legacy: A history of New York’s African Americans. There are new editions of The Black West (2018), Breaking the Chains: African American Slave Resistance (December 2023), and Black Legacy (February 2026).
Three new editions of his books!
|
|
Black Legacy: A History of New York’s African AmericansThis book traces New York City’s Black legacy from Dutch Governor Peter Minuit to Black Lives Matter and reveals how people of color built today’s New York while they fought to end slavery and discrimination. New, updated edition published by Seven Stories Press in 2026. |
 |
Breaking the ChainsCentering Black voices and the narratives of enslaved people Breaking the Chains offers a thoroughly researched account of the ways people in bondage were themselves a driving force behind their own emancipation. With primary source photographs and testimonies and period illustrations throughout, and with updated language that returns personhood and intent to those written about, this essential book by celebrated historian and author Willia m Loren Katz is “a significant contribution to American history” (Kirkus Review) New edition published by Seven Stories Press in December 2023. |
|
|
The Black West
|
