Black Eden Audiobook By Lewis Walker, Benjamin C. Wilson cover art

Black Eden

The Idlewild Community

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Black Eden

By: Lewis Walker, Benjamin C. Wilson
Narrated by: Padre Mickey
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Black Eden chronicles the history of Idlewild, a Michigan black community founded during the aftermath of the Civil War. As one of the nation’s most popular black resorts, Idlewild functioned as a gathering place for African Americans, and more importantly, as a touchstone of black identity and culture.

Benjamin C. Wilson and Lewis Walker examine Idlewild’s significance within a historical context, as well as the town’s revitalization efforts and the need for comprehensive planning in future development.

In a segregated America, Idlewild became a place where black audiences could see rising black entertainers. Black Eden provides a lengthy discussion about the crucial role Idlewild played in the careers of artists such as Louis Armstrong, B. B. King, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and Della Reese.

Fundamentally, the audiobook explores issues involved in living in a segregated society, the consequences of the civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent integration, and the consequences of integration vs. racial solidarity. The authors ask: "Did integration kill Idlewild?", suggesting rather that other factors contributed to its decline.

©2002 Lewis Walker and Benjamin C. Wilson (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks African American Studies Americas Black & African American Social Sciences Specific Demographics State & Local United States Civil rights
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about Black Eden

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for RKB

Idlewild….. Michigan’s best kept secret!

Having recently visited Idlewild, I NEEDED to know more. This book explains the history, the musicians and their contribution in the early 1900s, and the rich music and entertainment experiences for guests of all color! DO NOT ALLOW IDLEWILD TO FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS of history. It could become a children’s summer music camp (much like Blue Lake). Black musicians could share their skill with children from nearby cities. Cabins could house families of the children during the week(s) of their lessons. Idlewild is a place of intrigue and so many possibilities. I LOVED this book. The narrator is a bit tough to take. But, it’s worth it to hear the story of Idlewild.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!