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4.61 AVERAGE
4.61 AVERAGE
The first essay is a letter to his godson and nephew, also named James Baldwin, and reminds me very much of Ta-Nehisi Coates's BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME. It's heartrending and superb. The second one is really about religion and goes on for quite a long time. Everything Baldwin writes is amazing, but this essay felt more dated.
challenging
informative
fast-paced
When I saw this was narrated by Jesse Martin, I knew I had to listen. This was fantastic and incredibly powerful, packing a punch in a relatively short book. Although this was my first experience with James Baldwin’s writing, it definitely won’t be my last.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
reflective
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
“A civilization is not destroyed by wicked people; it is not necessary that people be wicked but only that they be spineless.”
It's a bit terrifying how poignant this essay still is, 60+ years after it was written. It was not a comfortable read for me, but it was very important. Definitely one I will revisit.
It's a bit terrifying how poignant this essay still is, 60+ years after it was written. It was not a comfortable read for me, but it was very important. Definitely one I will revisit.
Can I give this 6 stars? Please?
Mr. Baldwin's writing has that rare mix of power and humility. He lets the reader into his life, the life of a black man in Harlem in the '60s. He has the skill to point out the warts on the nose of society without coming across as angry. For me, the tone is one of deep sadness. Yet at the same time you can just about feel the frustration seeping off the page. While I can't empathize with his plight, I can (and do) identify with his proposed solution: love.
I'll end with a few of my favorite quotes:
"White people in this country will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this - which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never- the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed." P.22
"People always seem to band together in accordance to a principle that has nothing to do with love, a principle that releases them from personal responsibility." P.81
"Do I really want to be integrated into a burning house?" P. 94
"Isn’t love more important than color?" P.71
Mr. Baldwin's writing has that rare mix of power and humility. He lets the reader into his life, the life of a black man in Harlem in the '60s. He has the skill to point out the warts on the nose of society without coming across as angry. For me, the tone is one of deep sadness. Yet at the same time you can just about feel the frustration seeping off the page. While I can't empathize with his plight, I can (and do) identify with his proposed solution: love.
I'll end with a few of my favorite quotes:
"White people in this country will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this - which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never- the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed." P.22
"People always seem to band together in accordance to a principle that has nothing to do with love, a principle that releases them from personal responsibility." P.81
"Do I really want to be integrated into a burning house?" P. 94
"Isn’t love more important than color?" P.71
Holy shit everyone needs to read this once a year at least