The Fire Next Time in Around the World in 80 Books

May 27, 2020 Ginger rated it it was amazing

Astoundingly good. Sadly timely.

I’ve been gulping down Russell Moore’s YouTube series Reading in Exile and when he suggested this slim volume a few weeks ago, I decided to give it a go.

It’s shocking this wasn’t written this very week. I stopped in my tracks at this line: “It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck...”

I’m heartbroken this is still true. I’m so glad I read this.

9 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2018 Sera rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction, library, plays-short-stories-etc

The essays in this book are informative and engaging. Baldwin's take on race relations in the 1950s is still relevant today. Baldwin doesn't believe that the white man is the devil, but he sure shows how foolish he can be in regard to some of his beliefs. Although Baldwin takes the high road in his book, he offers tremendous insight into how being black in America impacts the psyche of these people.

I highly recommend this book, and I will definitely be reading more Baldwin. His writing is outst ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 05, 2020 Karen rated it really liked it

Baldwin did not hold back on his views of white America. Although it was published in 1963, it is still relevant today. I thought the first letter (My Dungeon Shook) was poignant because it was written to his nephew, but I really liked the second letter (Down at the Cross). I didn't know that much about the Nation of Islam and it was good to read of Baldwin's thoughts about it. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 25, 2019 Jana rated it really liked it

Shelves: brain-expanding-project, classics, audiobooks

I listened to this book while doing other tasks. I did not give it my full attention. When I WAS paying attention, it was amazing. So many wonderful insights.

I have now read the print edition and still think it is amazing. And sad. So sad that so much of what he wrote is still true, 56 years later.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2021 Julie rated it it was amazing

Wow! What a powerful book and just as relevant now as it was then. Baldwin’s perspective is sharp, clear and without reserve. Every American should read Baldwin, we are all better citizens and humans for doing so.

Like · see review