Jamie Sharp

Currently the Professor of Journalism and Director of Narrative Nonfiction at Boston University,
Isabel Wilkerson (Wilkerson) is an African American (African) woman, born and raised in
Washington D.C. after her parents migrated from Virginia and Georgia. The fact Wilkerson is
African American and her parents took part in Americas Great Migration (Migration) may
affect the historiography of the book The Warmth of Other Suns, because her influence, in-part,
is her personal background.
The Warmth of Other Suns has been described as profound, an American Masterpiece and
an epic. The reviews additionally prepare the reader to examine a part of history that has
rarely been touched by historians.
The Warmth of Other Suns provides a historical account of Americas Great Migration.
Wilkersons thesis focuses on a portion of history that has not been given enough attention or
recognition. To ensure her works accuracy, Wilkerson utilizes census records, articles, historical
works and interviews from over a thousand people. Although Wilkerson does not mention her
approach to the book, she sections the book off by parts. In these parts, Wilkerson narrates the
accounts of three individuals and provides summaries of events in certain demographics of the
United States during and after the Migration. These summaries provide an understanding of
history beyond the individual lives being narrated. It appears Wilkersons own personal
background influenced her writing of the book, along with the fact the Migration had little
acknowledgement throughout history. A book for audiences of all backgrounds, the history of
the Migration made and continues to make a large impression in the United States. Although not
the intention of Wilkerson, The Warmth of Other Suns solely focuses on African Americans
during the Migration and therefore could appeal to a dominantly African American audience.
Throughout the book Wilkerson uses historical information to either prove or disprove initial
thoughts and historical biased accounts.
In the parts, Wilkerson uses a narrative style of writing that captures the view of three African
individuals during their journey of Americas Great Migration. The book contains a message
that provides the perspective of African Americans and their decision to leave the south for
better opportunities in the northern and western states. The perspectives are from African
Americans and could prove to have some biases. Wilkerson however, did use primary sources
including census records and works by credible historians to support the books historiography.
Although some primary sources were used, pieces of the summaries did not include primary or
secondary sources to support important claims made by African Americans during this period.
The book appears to be directed towards African Americans by providing in-depth perspectives
of African Americans during the Migration along with summaries providing, in detail, the
hardships they faced from 1915 to 1970.
From reviewing the notes section, it appears Wilkerson used more secondary sources but this
may not affect the originality of the book. Wilkerson noted over 500 sources including accounts
from over a thousand persons interviewed, providing their personal experiences.
This account of Americas Great Migration brings great value to United States History. The
Migration has contributed in shaping the country to what it is today and will continue to bring
influences in the future.