Imperium in Imperio

Meer over het boek

Imperium in Imperio (1899) is a novel by Sutton E. Griggs, written during his early career as a Baptist minister. Initially sold door to door, it garnered modest praise upon its release. Though largely forgotten by the mid-twentieth century, recent scholarship has highlighted Griggs' significance as an activist and author in the Black nationalism movement in the United States. Recognized as a pioneering political figure, his work features utopian themes and addresses contemporary crises, marking it as some of the most radical literature by an African American writer of his time. The story follows Belton Piedmont, who understands the struggles of poor Black Americans firsthand. He befriends Bernard Belgrave, a boy from a wealthier family who eventually attends Harvard, leaving behind his roots. Meanwhile, Belton dedicates himself to activism and, with the help of an anti-lynching politician, attends college in Nashville. There, he becomes known for his radical politics and organizes civil disobedience against segregation and inequality. After a violent encounter with a lynch mob leaves him severely injured, he accidentally kills his physician during surgery. His trial attracts national attention, leading to support from Bernard and influential political allies. Years later, Bernard receives a mysterious invitation to Waco, Texas, where he discovers Belton and a group of Black nationalists who have created a functional shadow