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kaneesha's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.75
it is an academic text and wonderful as that—a reference. for such a short work, I found myself dragging along reading it til the end.
everydaybibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
a_proud_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
A good overview of Baldwin’s life and work, and how they both can help us learn about our present going forward. The book is intimate and well written, and it fully admits to walking the line between biography and literary analysis. While much is gained from this duality, some is lost as well because neither Baldwin’s life nor his writing are fully examined. But this is still a wonderful book as an introduction to his life.
suetrav's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tough one to review. I want to give it more stars but something was missing. I really did enjoy listening to this book in audio format (although it was a LONG listen of over seven hours). It was a book that required all my attention and I had to really focus to get through it.
There were some great quotes and some really interesting parts. The visit to the memorial really stands out for me as well as the stories about the civil rights movement. It almost felt like an academic text with a little biography thrown in. The author did say that it was a strange book and he was correct.
There were some great quotes and some really interesting parts. The visit to the memorial really stands out for me as well as the stories about the civil rights movement. It almost felt like an academic text with a little biography thrown in. The author did say that it was a strange book and he was correct.
ames_101's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This book was meant to inspire and challenge, especially for a white woman like me. Glaude’s love and appreciation for not only James Baldwin’s work, but also his mind in the dark and the light was beautiful to witness. I am grateful for the studious historians in the world (especially those of color) who continue to teach us and reteach us.
jg12389's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing and skillful weaving of James Baldwin's life, politics, and internal struggles, and issues of the present day. The writing is powerful and evocative. I really enjoyed this one!!
sarachildrey's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
gigiinzim's review against another edition
4.0
Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. could not have predicted the world in which this book would be released into. He couldn't have predicted the pandemic and the fact that every screen and every conversation involves a conversation about racism in America. But he wrote the book that America would need for this exact moment, and we can all be so grateful.
James Baldwin is a voice we all need to listen to more and Eddie S. Glaude Jr has made that easier.
Thank you to the publisher for making this book available through Netgalley. This is my honest review.
James Baldwin is a voice we all need to listen to more and Eddie S. Glaude Jr has made that easier.
Thank you to the publisher for making this book available through Netgalley. This is my honest review.