Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody: The Making of a Black Theologian

Written by James H. Cone

Narrated by Bill Andrew Quinn

James H. Cone is widely recognized as the founder of Black Liberation Theology—a synthesis of the Gospel message embodied by Martin Luther King, Jr., and the spirit of Black pride embodied by Malcolm X. Prompted by the Detroit riots and the death of King, Cone, a young theology professor, was impelled to write his first book, Black Theology and Black Power, followed by A Black Theology of Liberation. With these works he established himself as one of the most prophetic and challenging voices of our time.



In this powerful and passionate memoir—his final work—Cone describes the obstacles he overcame to find his voice, to respond to the signs of the times, and to offer a voice for those—like the parents who raised him in Bearden, Arkansas, in the era of lynching and Jim Crow—who had no voice. Recounting lessons learned both from critics and students, and the ongoing challenge of his models King, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin, he describes his efforts to use theology as a tool in the struggle against oppression and for a better world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Apr 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684571413

Reviews for Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody

[Anaseini Katoa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love love love this book. What an incredible mind and spirit. This book is eloquent, empowering, inspiring and written with so much wisdom and truth if you're open to hearing it. My life is definitely richer having read this and my mind way more woke now. Thank you Dr. Cone and James Baldwin.

[Sombra Bonita · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this era of white supremacy rebranded as white christian nationalism this is a must read.

[Keon Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing read that opened my eyes and thought process. Very insightful

[Ike · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, this is such an important read for this time.

[Lauren Ashlee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful transparent and raw book on the insights of being black in America from a theologian’s perspective. Very theologically sound in regards to how the Bible encourages and uplifts the black race.

[latise · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a new favourite! I couldn’t have imagined where the story would land and the inspiration it would give to be ones self.

[nicholasjjordan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really helpful read for me, including the depressing experience of reading the critiques/resistance he received in 1968 and knowing I still hear the same (“too angry,” “too black,” “too political,” “too personal”) in 2019. For those familiar with feminist and womanist critiques of Cone, he also tries to make peace with some of his theological foes. It’s not clear that he totally hears and receives those critiques (and in fact he narrates disagreements with a gay student in the 1980s and with younger black seminarians late in his career, neither of which encounters portrays him in any wondrous light), but there is an effort that strikes me as greater than the average academic (or person) in their late 70s. A strong final book from an incredibly important theological and human figure.