Baldwin for Our Times

Writings from James Baldwin for an Age of Sorrow and Struggle

Introduction by Rich Blint
Ebook
On sale Nov 01, 2016 | 63 Pages | 978-0-8070-6452-8
A collection of James Baldwin's writings that speaks urgently to our current era of racial injustice, with an introduction by prominent Baldwin scholar Rich Blint

In his unforgettable, incandescent essays and poetry, James Baldwin diagnosed the racial injustices of the twentieth century and illuminated the struggles and triumphs of African Americans. Now, in our current age of persistent racial injustice and the renewed spirit of activism represented by the Black Lives Matter movement, Baldwin’s insights are more urgent than ever. Baldwin for Our Times features incisive essay selections from Notes of a Native Son and searing poetry from Jimmy’s Blues—writing to turn to for wisdom and strength as we seek to understand and confront the injustices of our times.
Introduction

“A Lover’s Question”

Excerpt from “Many Thousands Gone”

Excerpt from “Journey to Atlanta”

“Stagerlee Wonders”

Excerpt from “Stranger in the Village”

“Amen”
James Baldwin (1924–1987) was a novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic, and one of America’s foremost writers. His writing explores palpable yet unspoken intricacies of racial, sexual, and class distinctions in Western societies, most notably in mid-twentieth-century America. A Harlem, New York, native, he primarily made his home in the south of France. He is the author of several novels and books of nonfiction, including Notes of a Native SonGo Tell It on the MountainGiovanni’s RoomAnother CountryTell Me How Long the Train’s Been GoneIf Beale Street Could TalkJust Above My HeadThe Fire Next TimeNo Name in the Street, and The Evidence of Things Not Seen, and of the poetry collection Jimmy’s Blues. View titles by James Baldwin

About

A collection of James Baldwin's writings that speaks urgently to our current era of racial injustice, with an introduction by prominent Baldwin scholar Rich Blint

In his unforgettable, incandescent essays and poetry, James Baldwin diagnosed the racial injustices of the twentieth century and illuminated the struggles and triumphs of African Americans. Now, in our current age of persistent racial injustice and the renewed spirit of activism represented by the Black Lives Matter movement, Baldwin’s insights are more urgent than ever. Baldwin for Our Times features incisive essay selections from Notes of a Native Son and searing poetry from Jimmy’s Blues—writing to turn to for wisdom and strength as we seek to understand and confront the injustices of our times.

Table of Contents

Introduction

“A Lover’s Question”

Excerpt from “Many Thousands Gone”

Excerpt from “Journey to Atlanta”

“Stagerlee Wonders”

Excerpt from “Stranger in the Village”

“Amen”

Author

James Baldwin (1924–1987) was a novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic, and one of America’s foremost writers. His writing explores palpable yet unspoken intricacies of racial, sexual, and class distinctions in Western societies, most notably in mid-twentieth-century America. A Harlem, New York, native, he primarily made his home in the south of France. He is the author of several novels and books of nonfiction, including Notes of a Native SonGo Tell It on the MountainGiovanni’s RoomAnother CountryTell Me How Long the Train’s Been GoneIf Beale Street Could TalkJust Above My HeadThe Fire Next TimeNo Name in the Street, and The Evidence of Things Not Seen, and of the poetry collection Jimmy’s Blues. View titles by James Baldwin