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Reviews
Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Today by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
5.0
A mostly marvelous meditation on James Baldwin’s place in the world. Not a biography so much as a walk with the author Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. through Baldwin’s writing and activism. At turns informative, inspiring and heart breaking. Maintaining the hope and empathy that informed his writing despite being ground under the heels of America for being gay, black and outspoken came at a great personal cost. The title BEGIN AGAIN refers to a reintroduction to James Baldwin and to his constant reapplication of self to the struggle. The wave must keep coming even though the shore it beats upon changes from George Wallace, to Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. Baldwin’s realization of this is pivotal and the drive behind the author’s pursuing this book. BEGIN AGAIN does a nice job giving a feel for Baldwin’s voice without drowning the text with long quotes. Glaude too writes with some eloquence but on occasion is a bit intrusive—my only real quibble here—wanting to be a gilded frame around a classic painting.
mcgrathprj's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
joshnewbury1's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
mollyate's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
peachykeenebooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
annrhub's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
pattykremen's review against another edition
5.0
History lesson written in contemporary style.
“HISTORY, DESPITE ITS WRENCHING PAIN, CANNOT BE UNLIVED; BUT IF FACED WITH COURAGE, NEED NOT BE LIVED AGAIN.”Maya Angelou
“HISTORY, DESPITE ITS WRENCHING PAIN, CANNOT BE UNLIVED; BUT IF FACED WITH COURAGE, NEED NOT BE LIVED AGAIN.”Maya Angelou
ejsidney's review against another edition
4.0
I learned so much reading this book. I highly recommend it. Thoughtfully written, provocative and informative.