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James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences
One of America's great actors presents his life story, revealing the challenges he has faced and overcome, from his impoverished and neglected Mississippi childhood, through his years as a stutterer and a mute, to his spectacular artistic successes.
393 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 1993
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370 people want to read
About the author
James Earl Jones
50 books16 followersJames Earl Jones was an American actor known for his film roles and for his work in theatre. Jones has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen. He has also been called "one of the greatest actors in American history". He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honoured with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 20, 2021
Oh, the incredible and identifiable voice of James Earl Jones, a man you don't need to see to recognize such a distinguished vernacular when spoken. Jones candidly talks about his upbringing, the absence of his parents as he was raised by his grandparents. It's heartbreaking to hear him speak of his problem with stuttering growing up and how it led to him becoming mute from age ten to fourteen.
"One of the forces which have shaped my life as an actor has been the weak muscle of speech, the lost muscle. The weak muscle can become the dominant muscle, either out of obsession with the weakness or a genuine endeavor to correct it. Consequently, the weak muscle can define a life and a profession."
He revisits many of his noteworthy roles as Othello, playing Jack Jefferson in the Broadway version of The Great White Hope, in the play "The Blacks," and his controversial role in the Paul Robeson project. He was not one to be an activist as many other actors were involved in, but he was the target for many protests. On the night of the closing of the Paul Robeson play, he addressed the audience with portions of a curtain speech that included this:
"We cannot enjoy our freedoms without exercising them and defending them. The freedom to protest is also a precious one. With that freedom goes a grave responsibility not to abuse the cultural apparatus that makes that protest viable. He has been caught in the crossfires of many artistic-social disputes, watching them escalate to the point of abuse to freedom of artistic interpretation. He was always running up against watchdog committees."
"My personal protest will be to continue, through the nature of the plays and characters I choose, to assert my freedom and responsibility as an actor. I don't stand here on the stage to make people go out of the theatre feeling good over nothing. I'd much rather let them go out of the theatre disturbed over something."
Mr. Jones spoke candidly about race and racial tensions. This book was copywritten in 1993 and these words are just as poignant today as they were centuries ago.
1. Each generation must discover certain realities for itself.
2. What they were saying is that I must see myself in the context of how others see me. I say no to that. That is buying into racial insanity.
3. The harm comes when certain stereotypes are automatically applied. These prejudgements-prejudices-carry dangers.
4. The need for our place is misplaced.
5. Ideally, every ethnic group contributes vitally to the national culture, but for the minority to shut itself out is a tragic choice. We face enough obstacles without erecting self-made ghetto walls.
6. You cannot isolate yourself from the world and function in it. You cannot hide behind the walls. You just have to face that reality.
7. If you allow a degradation to continue for more than one generation, it becomes genetic.
8. Universal human choices are not confined to any one race.
Of course, some of our newer and memorable James Earl Jones spotlights were his voice used as Darth Vader in "Star Wars" (1977), and as Eddie Murphy's father playing the king in "Coming to America" (1988). Bravo Mr. Jones!
"One of the forces which have shaped my life as an actor has been the weak muscle of speech, the lost muscle. The weak muscle can become the dominant muscle, either out of obsession with the weakness or a genuine endeavor to correct it. Consequently, the weak muscle can define a life and a profession."
He revisits many of his noteworthy roles as Othello, playing Jack Jefferson in the Broadway version of The Great White Hope, in the play "The Blacks," and his controversial role in the Paul Robeson project. He was not one to be an activist as many other actors were involved in, but he was the target for many protests. On the night of the closing of the Paul Robeson play, he addressed the audience with portions of a curtain speech that included this:
"We cannot enjoy our freedoms without exercising them and defending them. The freedom to protest is also a precious one. With that freedom goes a grave responsibility not to abuse the cultural apparatus that makes that protest viable. He has been caught in the crossfires of many artistic-social disputes, watching them escalate to the point of abuse to freedom of artistic interpretation. He was always running up against watchdog committees."
"My personal protest will be to continue, through the nature of the plays and characters I choose, to assert my freedom and responsibility as an actor. I don't stand here on the stage to make people go out of the theatre feeling good over nothing. I'd much rather let them go out of the theatre disturbed over something."
Mr. Jones spoke candidly about race and racial tensions. This book was copywritten in 1993 and these words are just as poignant today as they were centuries ago.
1. Each generation must discover certain realities for itself.
2. What they were saying is that I must see myself in the context of how others see me. I say no to that. That is buying into racial insanity.
3. The harm comes when certain stereotypes are automatically applied. These prejudgements-prejudices-carry dangers.
4. The need for our place is misplaced.
5. Ideally, every ethnic group contributes vitally to the national culture, but for the minority to shut itself out is a tragic choice. We face enough obstacles without erecting self-made ghetto walls.
6. You cannot isolate yourself from the world and function in it. You cannot hide behind the walls. You just have to face that reality.
7. If you allow a degradation to continue for more than one generation, it becomes genetic.
8. Universal human choices are not confined to any one race.
Of course, some of our newer and memorable James Earl Jones spotlights were his voice used as Darth Vader in "Star Wars" (1977), and as Eddie Murphy's father playing the king in "Coming to America" (1988). Bravo Mr. Jones!
July 13, 2014
I've always liked James Earl Jones as an actor, and I enjoyed reading his autobiography. He came from a very humble background, and he has maintained that humility in his life. He developed a stutter as a child and then stopped talking for four years. He attributes these problems to emotional issues as a result of being abandoned by his parents, but he doesn't spend a lot of time wallowing in self-pity.
He writes a lot about his career and the many roles he's played in the theater, film and TV. He writes about his first marriage and subsequent divorce, but he doesn't get into the Hollywood-type tabloid details, which I appreciated. This was not a "tell all" biography. Just an interesting bio about one of America's great actors.
He writes a lot about his career and the many roles he's played in the theater, film and TV. He writes about his first marriage and subsequent divorce, but he doesn't get into the Hollywood-type tabloid details, which I appreciated. This was not a "tell all" biography. Just an interesting bio about one of America's great actors.
October 8, 2007
Facinating! JEJ is one of my favorites ever and to learn more about where he came from really gave insight into who he is now. The voice is know everyone knows, from CNN to Darth Vader to Mufasa...knowing that voice emerges from a child who chose not to speak for years fills both reader and entertainment fan with awe and curiosity.
August 14, 2011
This autobiography is a full look at one of acting’s most recognizable voices. James Earl Jones goes into wonderful, unsparing detail about boyhood on farms in Mississippi and Michigan, his struggle to overcome stuttering and muteness, and his slow but steady rise in the world of acting, first on stage and then in television and movies. His look back and thoughts on some of the iconic characters that he has played over the years, such as Othello, are deep and extraordinary. I did not realize what a long, successful stage career he enjoyed. This is a rich and full bio – a terrific read.
Favorite quotes: “At Michigan, I found it painful to sell my last year’s textbooks to buy the new textbooks. I wanted to keep every book because I knew I had not really, really read it, fully discovered all it had to say. I still do that. I have a hard time, even discarding paperback books, thinking that some day I will really read them.”
“To care as much for someone else as you do for yourself – is to love.”
Favorite quotes: “At Michigan, I found it painful to sell my last year’s textbooks to buy the new textbooks. I wanted to keep every book because I knew I had not really, really read it, fully discovered all it had to say. I still do that. I have a hard time, even discarding paperback books, thinking that some day I will really read them.”
“To care as much for someone else as you do for yourself – is to love.”
June 26, 2022
James Earl Jones is by far one of the greatest voices in film. From Darth Vader to Field of Dreams, his voice and personality are unbelievable and unique. While I deeply admire his talent and person, this book, not as much. While his explanations of his early life is told well, the majority of the book just continually reiterates his life and love of the theatre. There are constant theatre references and information thrown at you. While I understand his love of the theatre and how roles like Othello molded him, as far as the book, it was not done as well as it could have. I felt like I was enjoying a conversation with a old friend, only every other sentence was about Broadway. Aside from the theatre, his life story is just plain neat. From Mississippi to Michigan he helps you see his perspective well. This was closer to 2.5 stars in reality. It is readable, and a decent book, but is repetitive and boring in moments.
July 27, 2015
Enjoyed reading this book. James Earl Jones describes the challenging life of an actor on and off Broadway, in television, and the movies. He relishes his early childhood memories on the farm and yearns to return back to that life. He also treasures the lessons he receives from his mostly absentee father and other actors he admires.
The book is heavy on stage and acting pressures, politics and dynamics. Thespians will thoroughly enjoy it. I yearned for a little less Broadway and a lot more James Earl Jones. In the end, I realized the two are virtually inseparable. If you are looking for inspiration from a giant of a man, this book is one you definitely must read.
The book is heavy on stage and acting pressures, politics and dynamics. Thespians will thoroughly enjoy it. I yearned for a little less Broadway and a lot more James Earl Jones. In the end, I realized the two are virtually inseparable. If you are looking for inspiration from a giant of a man, this book is one you definitely must read.
January 25, 2019
It is because of this wonderful book that I found out why Mr. Jones was a stutter, how he overcame it, his farm life, school life, and acting life, and how he married and developed a family of his own. Mr. Jones's story is one of a kind, and if people read his book, I think it would help them understand his perspective on life, words, people, work, and the world.
There are several chapters I haven't read yet, but from what I have read so far, his entire family is quite talented. His (now late) wife was known as a wonderful actress especially in comedy. Their son, Flynn, has a gift for art, and I think he can pursue a career in that successfully.
Mr. Jones, being a well-known, gifted actor, is one of those to prove that no matter what struggles you are challenged with in your life, even if you still have it, you can still achieve your goals and pursue your dreams. Don't give up and persevere.
His farm life has kept him busy and working, which is good for anyone, really. I like how he had engaged his family into it, and shared his experiences in parts of the Hollywood industry as well.
I recommend this book to those who are fans of Mufasa (Lion King) and Darth Vader (Star Wars) if you want to learn more about his personal life, working life, and his family life (from what he shared). James Earl Jones's legacy will continue on, even after 100 years. Maybe his son will help stretch it out... :)
There are several chapters I haven't read yet, but from what I have read so far, his entire family is quite talented. His (now late) wife was known as a wonderful actress especially in comedy. Their son, Flynn, has a gift for art, and I think he can pursue a career in that successfully.
Mr. Jones, being a well-known, gifted actor, is one of those to prove that no matter what struggles you are challenged with in your life, even if you still have it, you can still achieve your goals and pursue your dreams. Don't give up and persevere.
His farm life has kept him busy and working, which is good for anyone, really. I like how he had engaged his family into it, and shared his experiences in parts of the Hollywood industry as well.
I recommend this book to those who are fans of Mufasa (Lion King) and Darth Vader (Star Wars) if you want to learn more about his personal life, working life, and his family life (from what he shared). James Earl Jones's legacy will continue on, even after 100 years. Maybe his son will help stretch it out... :)
September 29, 2025
The best parts of this book focus on the author's early years in Mississippi. His father left home, his mother left home, and his maternal grandparents raised him. He moved to Michigan at the age of 6, stuttering so bad he quit speaking for eight years. His stuttering didn't cease until age 14, when a teacher forced Jones to read a poem he had composed aloud. He became the school's champion debater and an actor. Jones didn't connect with his actor-father, Robert Earl Jones, until college. while he occasionally acted with his father, they never were close because of the years of separation.
Jones toiled off Broadway in unconventional roles in the changing turbulent climate of the 1960s. His breakout role in "The Great White Hope" finally brought financial stability, critical praise, and instant fame. After 14 years of acting, Jones became an "overnight success."
This book was written in 1993, before some of the author's more famous later roles. "Voices and Silences" spends much time talking about plays Jones was in, but not a lot about the silver screen credits.
Jones toiled off Broadway in unconventional roles in the changing turbulent climate of the 1960s. His breakout role in "The Great White Hope" finally brought financial stability, critical praise, and instant fame. After 14 years of acting, Jones became an "overnight success."
This book was written in 1993, before some of the author's more famous later roles. "Voices and Silences" spends much time talking about plays Jones was in, but not a lot about the silver screen credits.
July 11, 2017
An interesting look inside the life of a man whose voice filled my childhood, but whom I knew nothing about. I had no idea James Earl Jones grew up as a farm boy, that he stuttered, or that he had such a wide-ranging and rich theater career. A thoughtful, well-spoken autobiography.
(Note for Star Wars fans: he mentions being the voice of Darth Vader, but doesn't say anything else about it. More like a footnote, really; the stage was his passion moreso than film or voice-work.)
(Note for Star Wars fans: he mentions being the voice of Darth Vader, but doesn't say anything else about it. More like a footnote, really; the stage was his passion moreso than film or voice-work.)
June 21, 2021
I read this book and it changed my life. Mr. James Earl Jones is someone I look up to. He deserves more credit for his work. mastermind Sincerely, The Poet B.GKL
May 6, 2008
When I was at Ashland, James Earl Jones spoke there as part of a lecture series. My mother, two of my girlfriends, the mother of one of those girflfriends, and I had a little girls evening and went to see James speak. This book was purchased at the lecture with the intent of having him sign it. Mr. Jones, however, had a NASTY respiratory infection and I didn't want part of that. So, I have an unsigned copy of his book. Which is not a bad book.
January 24, 2008
Loved this book for what I learned of his origins and talents (he was a stutterer). I also learned his prodigious talents blossomed over a long time. So don't give up, friends, that hope of making it to the New York stage! Well... maybe some of you should.
Highly recommend this book.
Highly recommend this book.
May 13, 2024
This is really an interesting book. I learned a great deal about the actor and the profession.
Merged review:
This is really an interesting book. I learned a great deal about the actor and the profession.
Merged review:
This is really an interesting book. I learned a great deal about the actor and the profession.
December 21, 2007
Had this signed back when it came out 17 years ago. Engaging, but could have been somewhat better written.
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February 23, 2008792.02
November 17, 2009
I enjoyed reading this bio, and learning more about an actor I have admired and enjoyed watching. :)
May 21, 2014
Recommended by a friend. Still my favorite autobiography!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews