Staying Power

The History of Black People in Britain

Peter Fryer

Staying Power is recognized as the definitive history of black people in Britain, an epic story that begins with the Roman conquest and continues to this day.

In a comprehensive account, Peter Fryer reveals how Africans, Asians and their descendants, previously hidden from history, have profoundly influenced and shaped events in Britain over the course of the last two thousand years.

This new edition includes a foreword by Paul Gilroy explaining the genesis of the book and its continuing significance in black history today.

*Paul Gilroy is the Anthony Giddens Professor of Social Theory at the London School of Economics and has held posts at various universities in the UK and the US. He has written widely on race, culture, nationalism, music and literature.

Contents

Introduction by Paul Gilroy
1 “Those kind of people”
2 Necessary Implements
3 Britains Slave Ports
4 The Black Community Takes Shape
5 Eighteenth Century Voices
6 Slavery & the Law
7 The Rise of English Racism
8 Up from Slavery
9 Challenges to Empire
10 Under Attack
11 The Settlers
12 The New Generation

About the Author

Peter Fryer is the author of the classic Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain and, more recently, Rhythms of Resistance: African Musical Heritage in Brazil, also available from Pluto Press. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary who recognised his “continuous support of the Hungarian revolution and freedom fight”. He died in 2006.