In store now! Black Stories Southampton: Extraordinary Accounts by Don John

Don John’s first book ‘A Black History of Southampton’ has been a bestseller at October Books for many years now, so we’re delighted to be stocking this second book, shedding more light on the Black history of our city. 

Order your copy today directly through October Books or pop in and pick one up in store.

Black Stories Southampton: Extraordinary Accounts by Don John
Paperback RRP £6.99

Black Stories Southampton aims to increase knowledge of the city's past by the telling of individual stories that capture the nature of the encounters experienced by Black individuals and how those encounters have enriched the city. 

Our hope is that this is one of those books that captures a piece of Southampton that is rarely told. Whether you are someone of African heritage or someone who loves the city and is hungry for a piece of its history; this book is an informative and entertaining journey for anyone. 

This history contains prints and photographs of the black presence in the city including:

Muhammad Ali

Joe Harriott

Bob Marley

Louis Armstrong

...and much more. 

Don John has had a long career in the field of 'Race' and 'Diversity', as Director of the Southampton Race Equality Council, Race Development Officer for Southampton City Council and as a freelance race consultant across the UK. 

'History is made up of the actions of individuals... and yet none of us can know at the time that we are making history.'

Order your copy today directly from October Books or pop in and pick one up in store.

Monday - Saturday

10am - 4pm

We are back open six days a week, with the whole store open for browsing. We will still of course be taking customer orders and you will still be able to buy food and cleaning products online through our online store. 

We are able to be open 6 days a week again because of your consideration and care whilst in the shop. Though things are opening up, covid cases are still high and a lot of our staff have only received one jab. So we are asking customers to continue to leave that extra space, sanitise their hands and pull on their mask. We really appreciate it.  

You will see we have a QR code at the door, if you have the NHS COVID-19 app downloaded to your smart phone please scan this as you enter the shop.