James Baldwin: The Legacy

by Quincy Troupe

A collection of tributes from the friends and colleagues of a great writer and social critic include the words of Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, William Styron, Alex Haley, and others, as well as key selections from his writings

Genres: Nonfiction, History, African American

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Quincy Thomas Troupe, Jr. is an American poet, editor, journalist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla, California. He is best known as the biographer of Miles Davis, the jazz musician.

Reviews

[Thing Two · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essay written about James Baldwin, including a conversation he had with a friend, a few funeral elegies, and the last interview he ever granted before he died of cancer in 1987.

I have never read anything James Baldwin wrote, but I gained an appreciation of his life and the impact he had on fellow writers, which makes me want to read his more popular books soon.

Very interesting collection.

[Wizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy Baldwin is the f'in man! The book contains a number of tributes, some interviews, and two writings from Baldwin himself. His reach and influence is remarkable. I give the book five stars mainly on the strength of learning so much about Baldwin and the impact he had on Black and progressive life. He epitomizes a rage and frustration of living in the segregated and racist US. He carries a committment to love and clear critical thinking. He was an exile/ expatriate who left the US in order to be able to grow and express himself.


The interviews I like the best because you can actually see his thought process in play and read him interacting with a variety of questioners.

In these days when we can say anything, it seems like no one is really saying anything. Especially in comparison to the heartfelt, introspective, and insightful writings of Baldwin. This book really got me to thinking about my own life, status, and contemporary priveleges. It got me thinking of the experiences of previous generations. It got me thinking. If it wasn't a library book, I could revisit this book for years to come.

[Doug Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In depth profile of a deep thinker who had an impact on his world.