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jwells's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
We should be mentioning James Baldwin every time someone makes a list of the great American writers. He's so wise and compassionate, so insightful and so eloquent. I only wish this book wasn't still so fresh and relevant as it was when it was written.
As an aside, I almost died when he was talking to the kid from the separatist movement.
Baldwin: So, when all the black people move out of the U.S., and form a new Black Muslim country, what will the economy of this new Black Muslim country be based on? Is there a plan for that?
The kid: *blank stare*
(Apparently no one but Baldwin thought to ask about that kind of thing...) LOL
As an aside, I almost died when he was talking to the kid from the separatist movement.
Baldwin: So, when all the black people move out of the U.S., and form a new Black Muslim country, what will the economy of this new Black Muslim country be based on? Is there a plan for that?
The kid: *blank stare*
(Apparently no one but Baldwin thought to ask about that kind of thing...) LOL
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Police brutality, War, Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, and Slavery
I feel like we need two tags for racism, sometimes. One for a book that is racist, and another for a book that sensitively discusses racism from the perspective of a person of color trying to educate. This is the latter. It describes racism in a way that is uncomfortable to read, but it's an absolute classic for a reason.thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
a succinct, reflective, nod-inviting, oft thought-provoking and searing read, the fire next time offers an insightful personal window into baldwin yet reflects america's deep-rooted structural problem of white patriarchy as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Child abuse, Slavery, Murder, and Islamophobia
Minor: Sexism
samugranjo's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual violence and Drug use
lay_kone's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
arkwen452's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Listen to this audiobook, I found that there are a lot of similarities that Baldwin describes based on the Harlem. He lived in then and the world that we live in today. I guess I should not be surprised, considering the slow progression of society, and its lack of acceptance of the African-American people, regardless his words were Aunt and impactful; it was like visualizing him speaking about the present day in our society. He makes a lot of great points regarding society, the erasure of the global majority and the dangers of Christianity as it spread throughout the world, but most importantly, on the African-American people.
It also had me thinking about what's currently happening in Palestine, and it made me question methods or ways that I or individuals of present day could organize to come up with ways for there to be a better present and future for all people. Baldwin has a strong sense of his place in society, particularly as a black man but also he has a strong sense of himself when it comes to how he dealt with the racism, but also how he saw other individuals made the white people and for him to have this level of perspective and objectivity against The singular ideas, a lot of the activist from that time had I was very very memorable and Inspiring.
His words are thought-provoking, but not in a way that it's fear, mongering or forceful persuasion to Annette violence or fictitious retaliation; I know there's a lot of people today, who would not have such a level head when dealing with the oppression and belittle, mints, and treatment of the African-American people, and the global minority when it comes to the white extremist community who can be vile, crude and dismissive.
This might be my first Baldwin read; I wish to read more of this Works and I want to re-read this book because there were several quotes that I enjoyed and that's stuck with me while I was listening to this audiobook. This is definitely a book that needs to go on my forever reread list.
It also had me thinking about what's currently happening in Palestine, and it made me question methods or ways that I or individuals of present day could organize to come up with ways for there to be a better present and future for all people. Baldwin has a strong sense of his place in society, particularly as a black man but also he has a strong sense of himself when it comes to how he dealt with the racism, but also how he saw other individuals made the white people and for him to have this level of perspective and objectivity against The singular ideas, a lot of the activist from that time had I was very very memorable and Inspiring.
His words are thought-provoking, but not in a way that it's fear, mongering or forceful persuasion to Annette violence or fictitious retaliation; I know there's a lot of people today, who would not have such a level head when dealing with the oppression and belittle, mints, and treatment of the African-American people, and the global minority when it comes to the white extremist community who can be vile, crude and dismissive.
This might be my first Baldwin read; I wish to read more of this Works and I want to re-read this book because there were several quotes that I enjoyed and that's stuck with me while I was listening to this audiobook. This is definitely a book that needs to go on my forever reread list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Islamophobia, Sexism, and Slavery
marlasmirkingrevenge's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Not my favorite Baldwin, but a really interesting book. Need to reread in future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Alcoholism and Genocide
ukponge's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism
butlerebecca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Blood, Murder, and Racial slurs
ldpaige's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
You were not expected to aspire to excellence: you were expected to make peace with mediocrity.
For the horrors of the American Negro’s life there has been almost no language.
Beautiful. Stunning. I wish the pacing was the same between the letter and the essay, but you need to sit with both texts to truly hear Baldwin. I loved this read and highlighted so much.
The Black American experience through the eyes of Baldwin is just irreplaceable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Violence