Read Until You Understand

The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature

By: Farah Jasmine Griffin

Narrated by: Farah Jasmine Griffin

Farah Jasmine Griffin’s beloved father died when she was nine, bequeathing her an unparalleled inheritance in closets full of remarkable books and other records of Black genius. In Read Until You Understand - a line from a note he wrote to her - she shares a lifetime of discoveries: the ideas that framed the US Constitution and that inspired Malcolm X’s fervent speeches, the soulful music of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, the daring literature of Phillis Wheatley and Toni Morrison, the artistry of Romare Bearden, and many others.

Having taught a popular Columbia University survey course of Black literature, she explores themes such as grace, justice, rage, self-determination, beauty, and mercy to help listeners grapple with the ongoing project that is American democracy. Joining her experiences in Black communities with her immersion in the glorious works of Black artists, Read Until You Understand is a powerful testament to the enduring wisdom of Black culture and history.

©2021 Farah Jasmine Griffin (P)2021 Recorded Books, Inc.

Easily the best book I’ve read in 2022

This book was like taking the best college course I’ve ever had nearly 20 years after finishing undergrad. Highly recommend.

Got it....

Loved the heading and understand what your father meant. I now use the same thought with my daughter hoping that she too will understand as she reads.
Ahhhh!! we could spend an whole day, year on music, so many melodies, so many names.
Thank you for sharing. This will be the generation in which we learn that all life's matter. One love.

A beautiful meditation

I really loved Read Until You Understand. Especially the way Prof. Griffin moves between memoir, history, and literary readings. I wish more literary scholars wrote so honestly and beautifully. Thank you. 🙏🏽

Woven themes

Against the backdrop of her own family and Philadelphia upbringing, the author weaves an entire anthology of Black themes. There is a marvelous detailing of historical Black leaders, writers, musicians, and cultural traumas detailed eloquently and without rancor, up to and including the BLM protests and recent lives lost to police violence. Her narration is sometimes slightly halting, and occasionally the writing changes from past to present tense, which I found distracting. (Perhaps the present tense sections are italicized in the book?) I thought it might be a good introduction to an educational course on the Black experience in America.

Brilliant!!!

I absolutely loved this text, part memoir part historical reference, Professor Griffin weaves the words of some of our most beloved authors, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, James Baldwin into this collection of essays. She discusses topics as varied as mercy, justice and the "transformative potential of love " with an engaging and easily understandable method. I highly recommend this book.