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Political Companions to Great American Authors
A Political Companion to James Baldwin
In seminal works such as Go Tell It on the Mountain , Notes of a Native Son , and The Fire Next Time , acclaimed author and social critic James Baldwin (1924–1987) expresses his profound belief that writers have the power to transform society, to engage the public, and to inspire and channel conversation to achieve lasting change. While Baldwin is best known for his writings on racial consciousness and injustice, he is also one of the country's most eloquent theorists of democratic life and the national psyche.
In A Political Companion to James Baldwin , a group of prominent scholars assess the prolific author's relevance to present-day political challenges. Together, they address Baldwin as a democratic theorist, activist, and citizen, examining his writings on the civil rights movement, religion, homosexuality, and women's rights. They investigate the ways in which his work speaks to and galvanizes a collective American polity, and explore his views on the political implications of individual experience in relation to race and gender.
This volume not only considers Baldwin's works within their own historical context, but also applies the author's insights to recent events such as the Obama presidency and the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing his faith in the connections between the past and present. These incisive essays will encourage a new reading of Baldwin that celebrates his significant contributions to political and democratic theory.
In A Political Companion to James Baldwin , a group of prominent scholars assess the prolific author's relevance to present-day political challenges. Together, they address Baldwin as a democratic theorist, activist, and citizen, examining his writings on the civil rights movement, religion, homosexuality, and women's rights. They investigate the ways in which his work speaks to and galvanizes a collective American polity, and explore his views on the political implications of individual experience in relation to race and gender.
This volume not only considers Baldwin's works within their own historical context, but also applies the author's insights to recent events such as the Obama presidency and the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing his faith in the connections between the past and present. These incisive essays will encourage a new reading of Baldwin that celebrates his significant contributions to political and democratic theory.
396 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2017
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November 28, 2020
I have no memory of how I came to read James Baldwin, but his fiction and non-fiction has been transformative.
I loved every word of this book.
As a suggestion, to fully absorb the intellectual value of this book, I would read all of Baldwin's writings, or as many as you can find. Reading the man's words in their original place sets the stage for the far-reaching analytics of this book. All of these essays are amazing and intelligent and powerful and emotional. And necessary.
And just like reading Baldwin's own works, this book has made me angry and sad and frustrated. Hopeful, maybe, but not much, not very much at all.
As it was then it is now, White People are the problem that only White People can remedy.
Full stop.
I loved every word of this book.
As a suggestion, to fully absorb the intellectual value of this book, I would read all of Baldwin's writings, or as many as you can find. Reading the man's words in their original place sets the stage for the far-reaching analytics of this book. All of these essays are amazing and intelligent and powerful and emotional. And necessary.
And just like reading Baldwin's own works, this book has made me angry and sad and frustrated. Hopeful, maybe, but not much, not very much at all.
As it was then it is now, White People are the problem that only White People can remedy.
Full stop.
Displaying 1 of 1 review