Singing in a Strange Land: C.L. Franklin, the Black Church & the Transformation of America

by Nick Salvatore

A prizewinning historian pens this biography of C.L. Franklin, the greatest African-American preacher of his generation, father of Aretha, and civil rights pioneer.

Genres: Biography, History, Music, Nonfiction

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Nick Salvatore is Maurice and Hinda Neufeld Founders Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations and Professor of American Studies at Cornell University.

Reviews

[Bill Talley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful biography of C. L. Franklin, the father of Aretha Franklin. A good biography is also a good history lesson and this one is no different. The book details Franklin's work in the community and the status he attained. He was a major force in Detroit area politics. The book is a good snap shot of how pivotal a role the black church has played in the life of the African American community. Against the backdrop of Reverand Franklin's life is that of his more famous daughter, Aretha. Reverand Franklin was very much his own man and it is obvious that these traits also rubbed off on his daughter. The title if the book, Singing in a Strange Land, is descriptive if the alienation felt by many in the African American community in the early part of the last century. Despite advances and real attempts by prominent citizens like Franklin, there were always barriers to advancement that kept he and others in the fringes of society. This was a very engaging read.

[Mauberley]

A very solid look at the complicated life of C L Franklin. He was a man of extraordinary gifts foremost of which was his ability to preach. The author shies away from any real criticism of the man but the book isn't really a hagiography. ('Frank's' fathering a child with a teenage parishioner is unambiguously acknowledged but the enormity of the crime is remarkably minimised.) I was very grateful for the background that Salvatore provided on the African American church and the way that it developed from a spiritual refuge to its role as an important political actor in the civil rights movement, a development in which Franklin was a powerful influence. I also applaud Salvatore's insistent focus on the life of times of C L Franklin as I can imagine how tempting it would have been to spend more space on Franklin's divinely gifted daughter, Aretha.

[Ronnie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book twice I bought give me this mountain which was also a great book as well