From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

The Fire Next Time

James Baldwin

Start date: October 1, 2021

Finish date: October 15, 2021

Discussion: Classics Corner

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Classics Corner

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What Members Thought

Oct 03, 2021 Ken rated it it was amazing

Shelves: finished-in-2021

It is equal parts amazing and sad that an essay on race is as relevant in 2021 as it was in 1963. One interesting tidbit: Baldwin mentions how Bobby Kennedy said a black man could be president in 40 years. Turns out, Kennedy was only four years off. What he could not have anticipated, however, was the backlash it caused, bringing us He Who Must Not Be Named (the Autocrat of the breakfast and every other table, who wants to dine on democracy -- permanently).

46 likes · Like · see review

Nov 18, 2016 David Cerruti rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: new-york-city

A very inconvenient truth, and very good writing.

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2021 spoko rated it it was amazing

Shelves: race, canon-classic, book-club, non-fiction, essays

In some ways, it focuses pretty tightly on its own time (with the in-depth examination of the NoI, for instance). But Baldwin is never narrow minded; his analysis, even of such a specific subject, is both broad and deep. Well worth reading, for its insights into why the American racial landscape is the way it is, and just for the bravery & originality of his thinking.

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Nov 07, 2016 Beth rated it it was amazing

This should be required reading for everyone.

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Jan 17, 2021 Mary Anne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: on-racism-diversity

So much of what Baldwin wrote in 1963 is still true, perhaps even more so, of America today. I highlighted some phrases that I think captures Baldwin's perspective well. ...more

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Feb 21, 2015 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-non-fiction, x-feb-15-thru-jan-16, x-jan-17-thru-dec-17, read-twice, x-jan-21-thru-dec21

Baldwin's letters/essays in this volume are more than fifty years old. Wouldn't we - all of us - have fared better had we listened to him then? ...more

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