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cathy's review against another edition
3.0
Mead's input was cringeworthy and tone deaf. Baldwin's was far more insightful, but I'm not sure it's worth reading simply for his comments, since similar sentiments expressed by him can surely be found elsewhere.
catpdx's review against another edition
3.0
For long stretches, it's a little dull to read a transcribed conversation word for word, interruptions and digressions and all. Nevertheless, there are some worthwhile passages; Part 3 is by far the most interesting, containing both the sharpest challenges and the questions still most relevant. It helps to have some background information on Mead, and to understand where Baldwin was at this point in his life; the context of their exchange is important. It's almost impossible to imagine a similar conversation happening today.
Because it's a conversation (a very long one, at that), their arguments circle back and are inconsistent, and while they seem to be on the same page, they often talk past each other or don't fully address each other's questions, which is a little frustrating. Mead is logical and intelligent, but she's also incredibly defensive and a little obtuse at times. Baldwin is impassioned and eloquent as always, but he often tanks his own arguments and is inconsistent. His despair toward the end is palpable.
Because it's a conversation (a very long one, at that), their arguments circle back and are inconsistent, and while they seem to be on the same page, they often talk past each other or don't fully address each other's questions, which is a little frustrating. Mead is logical and intelligent, but she's also incredibly defensive and a little obtuse at times. Baldwin is impassioned and eloquent as always, but he often tanks his own arguments and is inconsistent. His despair toward the end is palpable.
missnicelady's review against another edition
3.0
This book took about 6 months to show up though interlibrary loan, and I can't exactly remember what made me request it in the first place, but it's not quite what I was expecting. The whole book is just a transcript of seven hours' worth of conversation -- in front of an audience, no less -- between Mead and Baldwin. Just a fascinating, frustrating dialogue between two interesting thinkers who often talk over and around each other about everything from race and identity to consumerism, television, and poetry. Sometimes I found it completely engrossing (especially Baldwin's complicated views on history and responsibility), but sometimes the unfiltered, unfocused nature of their talk was distracting (as was Mead's repeated use of the epithet "fiddlesticks").
meganzc's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating how little curiosity and what poor listening skills Margaret Mead displays during these extended exchanges.
moreteamorecats's review
2.0
It doesn't matter how brilliant and relevant and forthright they are. I just can't read book-length transcriptions of other people's conversations.
teelight's review
4.0
This book is the transcript of three long form conversations between Margaret Mead and James Baldwin. I'm less familiar with Mead's work so I'm not sure how well this fits in with her other works, but Baldwin in this reads a lot like he does in the other interviews I've read from him. This one is better though because there's more time for the two of them to expound on and feed off each other's ideas.
The first two sections they seem like they are mostly in agreement and they spend a lot of it telling each other stories. The last section though is rough. They interrupt each other a lot, speak about the same things as each other but don't really seem to see they're talking about the same thing, and it just kind of comes off as hostile in parts. The last section was difficult for me to read.
Having said that though I'm going to bring up something that I brought up in one of the other Baldwin interview books I read. The problem in this book isn't what is being said, it's what you can't know by reading this book. Interviews are maybe 60% what is being said and the rest is how it is said. Are they laughing with each other? Smiling? Do they lean in? What's their tone like? So many parts of this book, especially the last section, could come off so much more differently if there was some context to the words being said. In the first two sections there are enough clues in what's being said to feel that they're probably getting along, but it's really hard to tell if they aren't passively yelling at each other by the end.
I'm not sure if there's a current print of this book. I had to order mine from a used book store. When it came I got a lovely thank you note and a ton of fun stickers on the package. It was a weird thing to see with a book about something so serious, but I still love it. And really I like the book too. If it weren't for the weirdness in the last section I would have given this five stars. I think if you're into Baldwin and want more to read this is a good one to pick up. If you're just looking at getting into his work I would put this as one of the last ones since it's kind of expensive right now and tricky to find. If they ever do a reprint though I would move that up the list for sure.
The first two sections they seem like they are mostly in agreement and they spend a lot of it telling each other stories. The last section though is rough. They interrupt each other a lot, speak about the same things as each other but don't really seem to see they're talking about the same thing, and it just kind of comes off as hostile in parts. The last section was difficult for me to read.
Having said that though I'm going to bring up something that I brought up in one of the other Baldwin interview books I read. The problem in this book isn't what is being said, it's what you can't know by reading this book. Interviews are maybe 60% what is being said and the rest is how it is said. Are they laughing with each other? Smiling? Do they lean in? What's their tone like? So many parts of this book, especially the last section, could come off so much more differently if there was some context to the words being said. In the first two sections there are enough clues in what's being said to feel that they're probably getting along, but it's really hard to tell if they aren't passively yelling at each other by the end.
I'm not sure if there's a current print of this book. I had to order mine from a used book store. When it came I got a lovely thank you note and a ton of fun stickers on the package. It was a weird thing to see with a book about something so serious, but I still love it. And really I like the book too. If it weren't for the weirdness in the last section I would have given this five stars. I think if you're into Baldwin and want more to read this is a good one to pick up. If you're just looking at getting into his work I would put this as one of the last ones since it's kind of expensive right now and tricky to find. If they ever do a reprint though I would move that up the list for sure.
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