The 1619 Project | Nikole Hannah-Jones

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

Accolades & Praise

• Award-Winning Journalism: #1 New York Times Bestseller, NAACP Image Award Winner, and Finalist for the Kirkus Prize.
• Critical Acclaim: Named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, NPR, Esquire, Marie Claire, and more. Esquire notes it as "an extraordinary update to an ongoing project of vital truth-telling."
• Multimedia Success: The foundation for the Emmy-winning Hulu original docuseries.

Extended Synopsis

In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia bearing a cargo of twenty to thirty enslaved people from Africa. This pivotal moment sparked the unprecedented system of American chattel slavery that would endure for 250 years. Expanding profoundly upon The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning journalistic initiative, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story reframes our understanding of American history by placing the legacy of slavery and its continuing impact at the absolute center of our national narrative.

This expansive volume weaves together eighteen powerful essays with thirty-six original poems and works of fiction. These pieces illuminate key historical moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance, demonstrating how the inheritance of 1619 reaches into nearly every facet of contemporary American society—from politics, music, and diet to capitalism, religion, and the very framework of our democracy.

Speaking directly to our current historical moment, this book contextualizes the deep-rooted systems of race and caste within which America operates today. It boldly reveals long-glossed-over truths surrounding the nation's founding and construction, ultimately showing that the legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation, but continues to irrevocably shape American life.

About the Author & Contributors

Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine and the creator of the landmark 1619 Project. The book is edited by Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman, and Jake Silverstein. It features a staggering collection of contributions from some of the nation's most brilliant writers, historians, and poets, including Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds, Jesmyn Ward, Rita Dove, Bryan Stevenson, and Tracy K. Smith.

Reader Targeting

• Readers of American history seeking a comprehensive, unvarnished look at the nation's founding and the legacy of slavery.
• Students and academics in sociology, political science, and African American studies.
• Individuals looking to understand systemic racism and the historical context behind contemporary social movements.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main premise of The 1619 Project?
The project aims to reframe American history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the national narrative.

How does the book differ from the original magazine issue?
This book is a substantial expansion of the original New York Times Magazine issue, featuring newly expanded essays, along with an array of original poems and works of fiction.

Is there a documentary version of this book?
Yes, the book and the original journalistic project were adapted into an Emmy-winning original docuseries on Hulu.

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