Simple's Uncle Sam

by Langston Hughes, Akiba Sullivan Harper (Introduction)

Langston Hughes's most beloved character comes back to life in this extraordinary collection

Langston Hughes is best known as a poet, but he was also a prolific writer of theater, autobiography, and fiction. None of his creations won the hearts and minds of his readers as did Jesse B. Semple, better known as "Simple." Simple speaks as an Everyman for African Americans in Uncle Sam's America. With great wit, he expounds on topics as varied as women, Gospel music, and sports heroes--but always keeps one foot planted in the realm of politics and race. In recent years, readers have been able to appreciate Simple's situational humor as well as his poignant questions about social injustice in The Best of Simple and The Return of Simple . Now they can, once again, enjoy the last of Hughes's original Simple books.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Short Stories, Humor, Race

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Through poetry, prose, and drama, American writer James Langston Hughes made important contributions to the Harlem renaissance; his best-known works include Weary Blues (1926) and The Ways of White Folks (1934).

People best know this social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry, for his famous written work about the period, when "Harlem was in vogue."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langsto...

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Jesse B. Semple AKA Simple is your everyman in Harlem, who has a lot to say and share with anyone who will listen, but most of his satirical wit is told to his friend Boyd, who not only lets Simple bend his ear, but fronts him a glass of beer every once in a while. Filled with the current newsworthy topics, and his own insights and opinions, Simple enlightens the reader in forty-six short stories to the unblemished truths of his world.

[David Macpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things don't change. The things Simple was talking about in the mid sixties are the things we are still talking about: racism, sexism, death, taxes. But the way Hughes does it is so wonderful. This took me over a year to read because I would read a chapter or two and then put it down and let them rest. These are funny and wise.

[Sean McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming, funny, and poignant slice of 1960s Americana.

[✿ lemon ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read for class, it was an easy and enjoyable book.

[Hope Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and very well written story that comically discusses many social issues we still face today.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

An iron fist in a velvet glove

A collection of very funny stories that manage to convey how far the world needs to go to combat racism. Should be taught on the curriculum.

[Donald Quist · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Oh, my feet have helped to make America rich, and I’m still standing on them.”

[Lanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible "every man" Jesse B. Semple's stories that open the minds and eyes of the people as much today as when they were originally published in weekly newspapers from 1943 through the '50s. While Hughes is more widely recognized for his poetry, "Simple" was an icon larger than Huck Finn and making many more social, political commentaries in a time when the world was receptive to actually listening.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this even more than the last "Simple" collection I read. The pieces are amazingly relevant yet today. I nearly fell out of my seat when I read the opening of "For President" (written in the 1960s): "What is this the big shots are saying...there might be a Negro President in the year 2011 in the U.S.A., huh?" Um, exactly! How cool that I read that THIS YEAR. So much wisdom and humor in these pages.

[Joel]

1965

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in a clever way to discuss race relations in America. Cousin Minnie was my favorite character in the short stories.

[Jen Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many stories still relevant to today's climate. Good read