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Spooks: The Journey of Rhythm & Blues from Africa To Rhode island

Spooks: The Journey of Rhythm & Blues from Africa To Rhode island cover image
Spooks: The Journey of Rhythm & Blues from Africa To Rhode island cover image Spooks: The Journey of Rhythm & Blues from Africa To Rhode island cover image Spooks: The Journey of Rhythm & Blues from Africa To Rhode island cover image
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by: Edward Coates
Books with a 4 star rating  (8)
Publication Date: June 28, 2018
Book Size: 6" x 9"
Pages: 102
Binding: Perfect Bound
Color: Standard Black & White
Cover Finish: Glossy
Paper: 60# Uncoated White
$16.11

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$11.95
Available eBook Format(s): pdf
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Book Synopsis
Black Africans brought to America were stripped of freedom, respect and sold as slaves. Slave women subjected to forced sexual intercourse by white males produced a mixed blood, ethnic group of Black Americans, later identified as Negroes. Many Negroes adopted the name Spook that symbolized courage to escape north to reclaim lost freedom and highly valued respect.

After settling in Rhode Island, the Negro Community, in spite of the local KKK influenced setbacks, made a huge historical contribution to the entertainment community and race relations landscape with the introduction of the R&B music style.

Unaware of the magnitude of their contribution and significant connection to the respect they desperately sought after, the local Negro Group, distracted by the new Black African American Nation struggle for the same respect, patiently waited to be discovered and recognized to close the gap in RI history.

This book is a Chronical about the evolution of R&B in RI, the Black Negro American Community that brought it there and the events that delayed the discovery of their contribution and the well deserved earned respect that continued to elude them until now.

Customer Comments
Monique R Coates
Posted: August 24, 2018
Customer comment 4 star rating
My father's book is quite good, and leads the reader on a journey through our home in Rhode Island, and Southern New England, from a few different perspectives that readers may not ever have known about, even me, I was very young Lol! One of them is from the perspective of being of color, and perhaps of being mixed up racially, and then being stuck in a world and a time in the 20th century that was not so accepting of this type of ethnic mixing, or of brown people AT ALL. Another is the groups of hate that protested against anyone that didn't look like they did, and wanted to ensure that only people who looked like they did would survive and thrive. Then there is the music, the rhythm & blues, and the jazz, that attempted to bring ALL people together. Did it succeed? You'll need to read the book to find out!
Shirley Curry
Posted: August 26, 2018
Customer comment 5 star rating
As a former resident of Rhode Island growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, I was so inspired by this book, I read it three times cover to cover. From my perspective, I had no idea so much was happening behind the scenes right around me. The book is full of historical facts that were well researched and written. It must have taken years to cull all the information and compile it into readable form. Prof Coates has done a fantastic job bringing to light the music of our heritage, heretofore unknown and unmentioned. Being a musician and music lover myself, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate R&B and soul music than reading this book. I encourage everyone to buy the book, then back and enjoy the journey.
Shirley Curry
Posted: August 27, 2018
Customer comment 5 star rating
This was omitted from my last entry. I’d give the book 10 stars if that were an option, so Five stars it is, the highest rating.
Joel Osborne
Posted: September 17, 2018
Customer comment 0 star rating
I just finished reading Spooks "The Journey" and want to congratulate you, Dr. Edward Coates, and thank you for a good read, history, and all the research necessary to make it enjoyable. I gained a lot of knowledge, and even though I lived during some parts of it, I enjoyed the memories you provoked while reliving it through your writings. I passed the book on to my eldest Daughter to read and share with all my children. In words used back in the day "Ya done Good". Thanks again Old Friend.

Regards: Joel Osborne Sr.
Gail Silva
Posted: April 11, 2023
Customer comment 5 star rating
Having read this book and sent copies to several of my friends from Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. Dr. Coates has captured the journey that our ancestors made from Africa to Rhode Island. The fun part of this book was/is the title! It took a minute to digest the title "Spooks". Back in the day only certain folks used the term Spooks! I was never one of them, for sure. Once I read the book...I got it... Spooks had a different meaning for this old woman.

So, take a minute and order this book for a family member, friend, or someone that has lived in R.I at some time in their life! Or, perhaps to some one that could be educated about being on that journey of Rhythm and Blues from a Rhode Islanders perspective. I am of the Travares generation...wonderful seeing them and Randy Ashe, Herman Pitman and I will throw in Billy Osborne and his brother Jeffery Osborne to name a few mentioned in the book Spooks. Order the book you will be plesantly surprised...!
Gail Silva
Posted: April 11, 2023
Customer comment 0 star rating
Having read this book and sent copies to several of my friends from Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. Dr. Coates has captured the journey that our ancestors made from Africa to Rhode Island. The fun part of this book was/is the title! It took a minute to digest the title "Spooks". Back in the day only certain folks used the term Spooks! I was never one of them, for sure. Once I read the book...I got it... Spooks had a different meaning for this old woman.

So, take a minute and order this book for a family member, friend, or someone that has lived in R.I at some time in their life! Or, perhaps to some one that could be educated about being on that journey of Rhythm and Blues from a Rhode Islanders perspective. I am of the Travares generation...wonderful seeing them and Randy Ashe, Herman Pitman and I will throw in Billy Osborne and his brother Jeffery Osborne to name a few mentioned in the book Spooks. Order the book you will be plesantly surprised...!
Gail Silva
Posted: April 11, 2023
Customer comment 0 star rating
Having read this book and sent copies to several of my friends from Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. Dr. Coates has captured the journey that our ancestors made from Africa to Rhode Island. The fun part of this book was/is the title! It took a minute to digest the title "Spooks". Back in the day only certain folks used the term Spooks! I was never one of them, for sure. Once I read the book...I got it... Spooks had a different meaning for this old woman.

So, take a minute and order this book for a family member, friend, or someone that has lived in R.I at some time in their life! Or, perhaps to some one that could be educated about being on that journey of Rhythm and Blues from a Rhode Islanders perspective. I am of the Travares generation...wonderful seeing them and Randy Ashe, Herman Pitman and I will throw in Billy Osborne and his brother Jeffery Osborne to name a few mentioned in the book Spooks. Order the book you will be plesantly surprised...!
Gail Silva
Posted: April 11, 2023
Customer comment 0 star rating
Having read this book and sent copies to several of my friends from Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. Dr. Coates has captured the journey that our ancestors made from Africa to Rhode Island. The fun part of this book was/is the title! It took a minute to digest the title "Spooks". Back in the day only certain folks used the term Spooks! I was never one of them, for sure. Once I read the book...I got it... Spooks had a different meaning for this old woman.

So, take a minute and order this book for a family member, friend, or someone that has lived in R.I at some time in their life! Or, perhaps to some one that could be educated about being on that journey of Rhythm and Blues from a Rhode Islanders perspective. I am of the Travares generation...wonderful seeing them and Randy Ashe, Herman Pitman and I will throw in Billy Osborne and his brother Jeffery Osborne to name a few mentioned in the book Spooks. Order the book you will be plesantly surprised...!