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christinamapes's review against another edition
5.0
This was a re-read for me (I read it before in college) and it's sad how relevant it still is.
aaronwhite's review against another edition
5.0
You know a book is really good when you feel you must approach it with trepidation. Each line of Baldwin’s missive (really two letters from Baldwin - one brief and one long - to his nephew, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Emancipation in the USA) is both sharp and blunt. He sharply cuts incisively into the heart of the historical and contemporary oppression of Black people in the West, and bluntly gut-punches any attempt at justification or prevarication. It is largely based upon his own autobiography, his own rearing in a ghetto surrounded by poverty, drugs and churches, none of which offered any true liberation in Baldwin’s mind. At a certain point in his life he did escape into the Church, but ultimately did not find the truth of love therein. At another point he was invited to meet with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, but likewise could not see the liberating truth of love in calling all white people devils and working for a separation of states, black and white. Baldwin is incredibly wise and perceptive, deeply and consistently aware of the diagnosis and prognosis of America’s racial line, and forthrightly adamant in his prescription of love. Not sentimental love, mind. Love that enables people to see things - especially ourselves - as they really are, no matter how painful the glance. His book ends with hope, but also a warning. The opportunity exists (he wrote in 1969) to reexamine everything, to recreate a country on the foundation of total liberty for black people, which would actually lead to genuine liberty for white people. But he is unsure whether it will happen, and, should it not, he invokes the biblical warning that it won’t be the judgement of water, but fire next time.
libbymillar's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant!!!!! James Baldwin was an intelligent, fascinating author. I look forward to reading more of his work. Thoughtful, inspiring & eye opening.
shradar's review
4.0
So many differences and so many parallels to our day. Wonderful style and poignant call to sacrifice and striving for right.
hannah_et1982's review against another edition
Worth the quick read. It does lack in acknowledging women, but I suppose that was the era it was in. Very informative and eye opening.
isabellareadssometimes's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. Baldwin writes very beautifully and powerfully with a painful truth. I have no words to describe this any further.
whitcam430's review against another edition
5.0
It has been 57 years since the publication of this book and everything in it is just as relevant and could be speaking to today. He literally has a line about resilience when there are those with their foot on our necks! Wow. I look forward to the day when this would no longer be relevant. I hope that we will see it in my lifetime. As always I love the writing of James Baldwin.