Michael A. Gomez is a distinguished historian whose work delves into the rich tapestry of African Muslim experiences in the Americas and the broader African diaspora. He meticulously examines the profound shifts in African identities during the colonial and antebellum periods, highlighting the forces that reshaped cultural and social landscapes. Gomez's scholarship offers a deep exploration into the complex interplay of culture, religion, and history. His research illuminates the resilience and adaptability of African communities as they navigated transformative historical epochs.
In a radically new account of the importance of early Africa in global history, Gomez traces how Islam's growth in West Africa, along with intensifying commerce that included slaves, resulted in a series of political experiments unique to the region, culminating in the rise of empire.
Beginning with antiquity, Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora captures the essential political, cultural, social, and economic developments that shaped the black experience. The second edition updates the text of the previous edition to be current with the most recent research on the African Diaspora.