Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Are these some of the greatest philosophers the world has ever known, or are they merely frauds? George G. M. James takes an original and thought provoking stance upon this question through the course of Stolen Legacy. Rather than revering the Greeks for all they have taught the world he argues that Greek philosophical ideas did not originate on European soil, but instead in Africa, in Ancient Egypt. With the invasion of Egypt, firstly by the Persians and later by Alexander the Great, the writings and ideas of the Egyptians were opened up to the world for the first time. According to James "the Greeks made the best of their chance to learn all they could about Egyptian culture; most students received instructions directly from the Egyptian Priests, but after the invasion by Alexander the Great, the Royal temples and libraries were plundered and pillaged, and Aristotle's school converted the library at Alexandria into a research centre." How else would the vast books of Aristotle, which would have been impossible for any single man to write within one lifetime, have been compiled if the ideas and thoughts were not appropriated from the lands of Egypt? James provides a blow by blow critique of western assumptions that surround philosophy and force the reader to reassess the honor and plaudits that what we have long given to the Greeks and should perhaps instead give to the Egyptians.

"Stolen Legacy is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating books in the field of Black Studies." Gwinyai Muzorewa, Encyclopedia of Black Studies "James's account of ancient history redirects to the black people of Africa the praise traditionally given in all Western educational institutions to the ancient Greeks" Mary Lefkowitz George G. M. James a Guyanese-American historian and author, best known for his book Stolen Legacy which was first published in 1954. He was Professor of Logic and Greek at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. James passed away in 1956.