Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War by Howard W. French is a comprehensive examination of Africa's pivotal role in shaping modern history. French challenges traditional Eurocentric narratives by highlighting how Africa and its people were central to the development of the modern world. He delves into the economic ascendancy of Europe, the establishment of democracy in the West, and the realization of Enlightenment ideals, all of which, he argues, were significantly influenced by Europe's engagement with Africa.

The book spans over six centuries, beginning with the commencement of commercial relations between Portugal and Africa in the fifteenth century and concluding with the onset of World War II. French interweaves precise historical detail with poignant personal reportage, bringing to light the lives of major African historical figures whose stories have often been marginalized or erased. These include medieval African emperors who traded with Asia, Kongo sovereigns who resisted European powers in the seventeenth century, and ex-slaves who liberated Haitians from bondage.

By placing Africa and Africans at the center of the narrative, French reframes our understanding of world history, emphasizing the continent's significant contributions to the rise of the modern world. Born in Blackness is a vital work that challenges long-held historical perspectives and sheds light on the often overlooked impact of Africa and its people on global development.