The Message

"Author Ta-Nehisi Coates narrates this must-listen, a powerful and thought-provoking collection of essays. Coates frequently addresses listeners in the second person, a technique that creates an intimate connection to his words. This audiobook is a haunting, timely examination of global affairs and the importance of truth and inclusivity in our culture. (5.25 hrs)"

"The Message is an urgent reevaluation of the stories we are told and tell ourselves about the world. Ta-Nehisi Coates travels to Dakar, Senegal, where he confronts “the idea of a Black civilization”; to South Carolina, where he attends a school board meeting about banning his book Between the World and Me; and to Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he witnesses “the separate and unequal nature of Israeli rule” over Palestinians. Throughout, Coates untangles the nationalist myths that have long propped up grievous inequities and charts a new path forward for how we can use storytelling to face difficult truths."

"This exploration of Black identity and history aligns with Popova's consistent interest in profound, socially conscious narratives and their place in the broader human story. It fits within her tradition of highlighting works that grapple with complex truths and offer intellectual and emotional resonance."