---

Kentucky State University’s Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences & Director of the Whitney Young Honors Collegium published his second book of 2019 and both were highlighted at a regional book festival.

Dr. F. Erik Brooks participated in the 38th annual Kentucky Book Festival sponsored by Kentucky Humanities on Nov. 10-16, 2019. At the book festival, Brooks signed copies of both of his latest books, African Americans and the Presidents and Barack Obama: A Life History. Both books were published by Greenwood Press.

Brooks noted he is proud of both of these works.

“I am proud with the variety of work, but I am particularly proud of these two books because the study of political science and public administration are near and dear to my heart,” Brooks said.

Brooks said he remembers when he first became an avid follower and student of politics.

“When I was about age 6 or 7, the Watergate hearings dominated network television,” Brooks said. “Back then we only had three television channels and there was no such things as cable in our house, so my parents made me watched the coverage and I became hooked on politics and the policy process. And of course, as an African American scholar, I am always searching to discover how things are connected to the African American community.”

The African Americans and the Presidents: Politics and Policies from Washington to Trump uncovers a long and complicated relationship between the U.S. presidency and the African American community. The book evaluates each of the 45 American president’s policies, cabinet appointments, and handling of race matters in the United States and takes an insightful examination of each American president’s life and career as well as the policies enacted during his presidency that affected the African American community. This book was co-authored with Glenn L. Starks, a division acquisition division chief for the United States Department of Defense.

The other book, Barack Obama: A Life History discusses the life of the 44th U.S. President and his post-presidential life. Brooks said he believes readers of all levels with an interest in Barack Obama, politics, political parties, political ideology, presidential elections, government and the U.S. presidency will find this book compelling. This book was co-authored with MaCherie Placide, a political science professor at Western Illinois University.

Although Brooks has been a productive author and a successful administrator, Brooks said he realizes his productivity and success has not been a one-person show. In attempting to explain the arch of his career, Brooks paraphrased English poet and cleric John Donne.

“No man is an island unto himself,” Brooks said. “I am so grateful to all of the people who have assisted me in my work over the years. There have been a network of librarians, research assistants, former students, and co-authors who have helped me to be productive by finding articles and materials to include in my works. God has truly blessed me!”

Brooks is originally from Montgomery, Alabama and earned a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.