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Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart
Based on twenty years of research and thousands of interviews, this authoritative biography of performer Josephine Baker (1906-1975) provides a candid look at her tempestuous life. Born into poverty in St. Louis, the uninhibited chorus girl became the sensation of Europe and the last century's first black sex symbol. A heroine of the French Resistance in World War II, she entranced figures as diverse as de Gaulle, Tito, Castro, Princess Grace, two popes, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yet Josephine was also, as one critic put it, "a monster who made Joan Crawford look like the Virgin Mary." Jean-Claude Baker's book also reveals her outbursts that resulted in lasting feuds, her imperious treatment of family and entourage members, and her ambivalent attitudes concerning her ethnic background.
Reconciling Josephine's many personas―Jazz-age icon, national hero of France, proponent of Civil Rights, mother of children from across the globe― Josephine: The Hungry Heart gives readers the inside story on a star unlike any other before or since.
Yet Josephine was also, as one critic put it, "a monster who made Joan Crawford look like the Virgin Mary." Jean-Claude Baker's book also reveals her outbursts that resulted in lasting feuds, her imperious treatment of family and entourage members, and her ambivalent attitudes concerning her ethnic background.
Reconciling Josephine's many personas―Jazz-age icon, national hero of France, proponent of Civil Rights, mother of children from across the globe― Josephine: The Hungry Heart gives readers the inside story on a star unlike any other before or since.
592 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
106 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Jean-Claude Baker
3 books2 followersJean-Claude Baker (born born Jean-Claude Julien Léon Tronville) was a French-American restaurateur.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 12, 2017
Wow. Just wow. Where to begin?
First off all, this is a FANTASTIC and extensive look into probably the first true Black entertainer and SUPER diva. If you don't know a damn thing about Josephine Baker---you will know more than you probably thought you would by the end of this book. Trust me. It's a lengthy read (500-ish pages! 45 chapters! Tons upon tons of information!), and though it took me a good year to weed through it, it was truly worth it as this book takes you beyond that infamous banana skirt and gets right to the heart of the matter.
Written with a tender touch by her "son" Jean-Claude Baker, 'The Hungry Heart' really gives a lot of dimensions to a woman who made France her oyster and electrified the stage through the world from the 1920's into her twilight years in the 1970's defying the odds. We had and have divas at current, but Josephine wrote the blueprint and set the tone, the pace, the drive.
A checkerboard life she had. She sang. She danced. She acted. She wore risque outfits. She seduced men. She seduced women. She was a spy for the French Resistance during WW2. She was a Civil Rights activist. She owned a castle. She became homeless and penniless. She rose like a Phoenix and kept going no matter her illnesses. She was opinionated. She was eccentric. She used and threw away people left and right. She adopted broods of children from almost every corner of the world (take that Angelina, Madonna, and 21st century Hollywood!). She told many many lies about her life. She lived in a fantasy world, even though in reality she crafted one for herself...she achieved TONS of stuff, and it's all accounted here. To give it all away would really damage the thrill of reading the book.
Speaking of Madonna (as much as I adore her too) Josephine has her beat as the Queen of Reinvention. Josephine was a pure chameleon as decades went by and she changed with the times and was opinionated and steadfast throughout. Even though she lived during times where society would tell her "no, you can't" because of the color of her skin and her gender---she rose to the occasion and did it anyway.
I'm quite in admiration of her for that. Not just because she was some flashy diva who influenced a lot of singing divas that I enjoy, but because as a young, loud, and opinionated Black girl myself, her ambition and legacy is inspiring.
It is true that Josephine had an ugly side, as she seemed to be not the most easiest person to love and be around. Her adopted children had difficulties understanding and living with her and she kept a distance from a lot of people even breaking many hearts with her words and cold actions. Still 'Hungry Heart' paints both sides as best as can so you can see where she's coming from. When you read through the pages you begin to understand that she was battling with fame, racism, her inner-demons, and her past, and that fueled her character and makes you actually sympathetic to a complex woman who probably didn't want any sympathy.
Pretty much after reading this, the 1991 TV movie about her life that starred Lynn Whitfield as Josephine, just scratched a small nick of the surface. In fact, it's an insult to this woman and I wait for the day where they will 'get it right' and do a feature film because once you read 'Hungry Heart' it's evident this woman was one in a million and a larger than life legend that will continue to live on and on....
First off all, this is a FANTASTIC and extensive look into probably the first true Black entertainer and SUPER diva. If you don't know a damn thing about Josephine Baker---you will know more than you probably thought you would by the end of this book. Trust me. It's a lengthy read (500-ish pages! 45 chapters! Tons upon tons of information!), and though it took me a good year to weed through it, it was truly worth it as this book takes you beyond that infamous banana skirt and gets right to the heart of the matter.
Written with a tender touch by her "son" Jean-Claude Baker, 'The Hungry Heart' really gives a lot of dimensions to a woman who made France her oyster and electrified the stage through the world from the 1920's into her twilight years in the 1970's defying the odds. We had and have divas at current, but Josephine wrote the blueprint and set the tone, the pace, the drive.
A checkerboard life she had. She sang. She danced. She acted. She wore risque outfits. She seduced men. She seduced women. She was a spy for the French Resistance during WW2. She was a Civil Rights activist. She owned a castle. She became homeless and penniless. She rose like a Phoenix and kept going no matter her illnesses. She was opinionated. She was eccentric. She used and threw away people left and right. She adopted broods of children from almost every corner of the world (take that Angelina, Madonna, and 21st century Hollywood!). She told many many lies about her life. She lived in a fantasy world, even though in reality she crafted one for herself...she achieved TONS of stuff, and it's all accounted here. To give it all away would really damage the thrill of reading the book.
Speaking of Madonna (as much as I adore her too) Josephine has her beat as the Queen of Reinvention. Josephine was a pure chameleon as decades went by and she changed with the times and was opinionated and steadfast throughout. Even though she lived during times where society would tell her "no, you can't" because of the color of her skin and her gender---she rose to the occasion and did it anyway.
I'm quite in admiration of her for that. Not just because she was some flashy diva who influenced a lot of singing divas that I enjoy, but because as a young, loud, and opinionated Black girl myself, her ambition and legacy is inspiring.
It is true that Josephine had an ugly side, as she seemed to be not the most easiest person to love and be around. Her adopted children had difficulties understanding and living with her and she kept a distance from a lot of people even breaking many hearts with her words and cold actions. Still 'Hungry Heart' paints both sides as best as can so you can see where she's coming from. When you read through the pages you begin to understand that she was battling with fame, racism, her inner-demons, and her past, and that fueled her character and makes you actually sympathetic to a complex woman who probably didn't want any sympathy.
Pretty much after reading this, the 1991 TV movie about her life that starred Lynn Whitfield as Josephine, just scratched a small nick of the surface. In fact, it's an insult to this woman and I wait for the day where they will 'get it right' and do a feature film because once you read 'Hungry Heart' it's evident this woman was one in a million and a larger than life legend that will continue to live on and on....
July 23, 2009
josephine baker created so many lies and contradictions about herself and about those around her that the whole truth about her will never be known, or maybe the truth is always subjective-especially for a diva. jean-claude baker seems to have very explicit opinions of which of his mother's lies/exaggerations/claims were rooted in fact and he does take it easy on her, which makes him much more trustworthy as a narrator and author. still, i wonder how much and what was skewed because it was written by him.
josephine baker had an incredible life and her charisma, even when she is being horrible, is portrayed well. well-written for the most part, although him talking to her is distracting: "oh mother, why did you do that?" etc. great account of her amazing life and of art, fame, celebrity, and ego.
josephine baker had an incredible life and her charisma, even when she is being horrible, is portrayed well. well-written for the most part, although him talking to her is distracting: "oh mother, why did you do that?" etc. great account of her amazing life and of art, fame, celebrity, and ego.
February 2, 2013
Vacillated between giving this two or three stars. The first half was great, but as it went on I felt like the same story kept repeating itself. ... But, what an interesting character and life! Plus, all during the 1920s, Paris, a great view into that world. This book does cover Josephine Baker's entire life (birth to death) if one wants a comprehensive look at her story, it's all here. Researched and written by her adoptive son Jean-Claude Baker.
March 11, 2012
Not the most well-written bio, written by a "son" (was he officially adopted?) and not strictly academic... JB was quite eccentric and fascinating. The lady had a pet cheetah. Seriously. Still a bit of an enigma, but it seems it was hard to get in her head. There was a lot of zany stuff going in there, and it seems as if she kept people at an emotional/mental distance (if not a physical one ;)
Remarkable what she accomplished within the context of her time and place. Though maybe not the path I'd choose for my daughters exactly, I can see why and how it worked for her...
Glad I read it, there might be a better bio out there, but this one was sufficient for my needs.
Remarkable what she accomplished within the context of her time and place. Though maybe not the path I'd choose for my daughters exactly, I can see why and how it worked for her...
Glad I read it, there might be a better bio out there, but this one was sufficient for my needs.
July 25, 2016
I really liked this biography novel about Josephine Baker whom I didn't know anything about since she passed away one year after my birth. She's a legendary star who shined all over the world whether for her musical skills or her fight for freedom during WWII. She's an African American singer who lived most of her life in France to live her dreams.
Free book N°8 read. 92 free books to read.
Free book N°8 read. 92 free books to read.
May 26, 2008
One of the biggest books I've ever read at 500 pages. Almost an entire year of reading.
January 21, 2023
GUILTY, BUT WITH AN EXPLANATION:
This book was quite an experience! It is a detailed journey through a most fascinating and controversial life. Two pull-quotes from the author — one of her adopted sons with whom she had a tumultuous relationship (but then again — with whom did she not have a tumultuous relationship?) —>
“She seemed to enjoy the havoc she created, like a pyromaniac who starts a fire, turns on the alarm, and then is the first on the scene to try to put out the blaze. She was a sorceress and a mischief-maker and she could always make me laugh.” -page 429
“For me, you were the diamond. I loved you. When you were cruel, I blamed your actions on a racist society, and the injuries you had suffered. I wanted the verdict of history to read, ‘Guilty, but with an explanation.’” -page 494
This book was quite an experience! It is a detailed journey through a most fascinating and controversial life. Two pull-quotes from the author — one of her adopted sons with whom she had a tumultuous relationship (but then again — with whom did she not have a tumultuous relationship?) —>
“She seemed to enjoy the havoc she created, like a pyromaniac who starts a fire, turns on the alarm, and then is the first on the scene to try to put out the blaze. She was a sorceress and a mischief-maker and she could always make me laugh.” -page 429
“For me, you were the diamond. I loved you. When you were cruel, I blamed your actions on a racist society, and the injuries you had suffered. I wanted the verdict of history to read, ‘Guilty, but with an explanation.’” -page 494
November 4, 2016
Fascinating to read a complete biography on the life of Josephine Baker.
Loved learning about her triumphs in the 20's & 30's in the USA and in Paris. Intrigued by her double life during WWII and what she did for France against the Nazi's. Fascinated with her complex campaigns, from adopting children to Les Milandes to her metamorphosis in entertainment. Understand between her risque nature, her bravery and a bit foolishness how she was not talked about in American middle class culture of the 50's, 60's and 70's. But when you read about her today, you go wow! If I was an adult back then, I know I would have been an ardent fan! May her memory be eternal.
Loved learning about her triumphs in the 20's & 30's in the USA and in Paris. Intrigued by her double life during WWII and what she did for France against the Nazi's. Fascinated with her complex campaigns, from adopting children to Les Milandes to her metamorphosis in entertainment. Understand between her risque nature, her bravery and a bit foolishness how she was not talked about in American middle class culture of the 50's, 60's and 70's. But when you read about her today, you go wow! If I was an adult back then, I know I would have been an ardent fan! May her memory be eternal.
December 11, 2018
Very thorough, long biography of an icon written by a young French man she adopted as a young adult, so much of what he reports is the result of interviewing people who had known her during her earlier years and stories she told him. The writing is very engaging and makes the hundreds of pages fly by quickly enough. Details of historical figures and familiar European locations make the story come alive. While the book was really well done, the entire time you want to take this woman by the shoulders and shake her and ask her what she could possibly be thinking to have done whatever she has just done, so I found myself pretty agitated by the end.
July 12, 2018
Josephine Baker was a mystery. Mercurial , kind, animal activist, entertainer and heroine of World War II. The part written by Chris Chase drags on . I found the section written by her son Jean Claude Baker of the famous "Rainbow Tribe" of children Baker adopted more interesting. A couple of years ago, I traveled to New York City and had brunch at Chez Josephine. I had the pleasure of meeting the very charming Jean Claude. His part of the book is more of a personal quest to find the "real Josephine" Baker.
June 28, 2021
Great Family History
I learned many interesting facts about her family history which will aid me in writing my book on Josephine Baker’s life in Philadelphia, as the wife of Philadelphia ‘s William Baker. I visited the street she lived on and was truly in awe as I had no idea she lived in Philadelphia.
In addition, I wasn't aware that Jo Baker’s mother lived with her in Paris & is buried in France. Her siblings also lived in France.
Great book for genealogist & historians.
I learned many interesting facts about her family history which will aid me in writing my book on Josephine Baker’s life in Philadelphia, as the wife of Philadelphia ‘s William Baker. I visited the street she lived on and was truly in awe as I had no idea she lived in Philadelphia.
In addition, I wasn't aware that Jo Baker’s mother lived with her in Paris & is buried in France. Her siblings also lived in France.
Great book for genealogist & historians.
June 11, 2024
written by one of her adopted children (with a prolific ghost writer), it starts with heavy research into Josephine's early life, which impressed me as he tracked down people who knew her in the 20s. That research quickly devolves after WWII and the timeline and storytelling become messy. The author has a weird, almost sexual, attraction to his mother, with an obsession to understand a woman who never wanted to be understood.
My takeaway is that Baker was a chaotic asshole and an abusive mother who blamed her problems on her children.
My takeaway is that Baker was a chaotic asshole and an abusive mother who blamed her problems on her children.
June 20, 2021
Loved every moment - it’s rare for a 500-page book to keep you engaged throughout the whole of the story, but Josephine’s life was that of fairy tale as well as tragedy. It was carefully documented by her “son” who writes in a style to make us empathetic to his mother’s eccentric ways. She was not always a hero, this woman was flawed, but the narrative of her life is such that I found that it made her more endearing in many ways.
April 1, 2020
honestly this book made me want to read something else about this fascinating woman, but wow. This one was practically unreadable with an untrustworthy narrator who seemed to be using this to prop himself up. The writing was so convoluted it was tedious to follow, and very little happened for chapters on end. It was a huge disappointment.
January 5, 2022
Really interesting book and quick read for the length. I agree with others that the writing in this book is around three to three and a half stars and the end drags just a bit. But, the information is so interesting that it is five star. So, compromising with a four star rating to capture this.
June 4, 2022
Heartache and joy.
Seeing Josephine on film sent me searching for more. Who was that? Where did she come from? How did she end up in Paris? How did she conquer the world? Jean-Claude answers these questions through his wounded heart. And then 14 years after writing this book, he takes his own life. More heartache.
Seeing Josephine on film sent me searching for more. Who was that? Where did she come from? How did she end up in Paris? How did she conquer the world? Jean-Claude answers these questions through his wounded heart. And then 14 years after writing this book, he takes his own life. More heartache.
July 3, 2022
I had no real knowledge of Josephine Baker, other than that she was a famous black singer back in the day. She is a train wreck! Her life was incredibly dysfunctional. It just kept going and going. And like others have commented, there is a nasty undertone from the author that is very noticeable. Lots of little jabs. But the stories are worth the read.
March 4, 2023
I love her. She’s an icon and hero. But the book contained too much minutia for me and didn’t flow as well as I wanted it to. For being so dense, it needed to have better pacing. It dragged too often.
January 14, 2024
An exhaustive, but highly personal, biography. The author is her adopted son, and weaves his own experiences in with many, many interviews and stories. Shows Josephine's faults and strengths, and fits in stories of her stage and life partners.
November 17, 2025
This book is looooong. But if you are a Josephine Baker superfan like I am, you will appreciate that. If you are reading this review and wondering who Josephine Baker is, get ready to meet the most complicated and fascinating woman on earth.
August 6, 2017
The biography is thorough, and thus very interesting since Josephine baker was extremely interesting, but it not particularly evenly written, and the author (one of her [sort-of] adopted children) is overly present.
July 27, 2020
I knew very little about Josephine Baker until I read this. What a wonderful life she led!
May 23, 2021
The story of Josephine Baker was strange and interesting in this book. It was an okay book but it took me a little longer than usual to read.
November 18, 2022
A rambling, incoherent mess
The headline says it all. The book is a jumbled mess of names and places that are impossible to follow.
The headline says it all. The book is a jumbled mess of names and places that are impossible to follow.
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June 27, 2024Bookclub June 2024. DNF.
January 14, 2025
Would probably be more readable with some further edits. Then again, she was the author's "mother", so I guess that accounts for the description of every thing she ever did or said. A DNF for me.
June 7, 2025
Too detailed and long of a portrayal of a harsh, vicious woman who, as the author said, "belonged to her audience ".
April 24, 2021
This is a very long book but incredible. Comprehensive and also novel like in the writing.
October 8, 2011
What an amazing life this woman did have. She was a dancer, actress, occasional musician, and a spy for the French Resistence. She was an amazing person, she adopted many, many children, I think twelve in all, and fed them, clothed them, kept them safe, and loved them all.
She was involved in the French Resistence, and after the poor death of Martin Luther King Jr., became the unofficial leader of the leader of the Civil Rights movement.
I have always loved Josephine Baker, and she is one of the major historical figures that I would love to meet. Upon reading this book, I also found out that she was Biesexual. Such a thing was common with the girls at the Moulin Rogue, and other such dance houses. I think though, that it must have been hard for her adopted son, Jean-Claude Baker, to investigate his mother's extramarital affairs, and such things that any child would generall find unpleasent to learn, but his is a historian after all.
It saddens me that certain sections of society have forgotten about Josephine Baker, and such other great figures of the Roaring Twenties. But, I remember her, and think that this book is one of greatest books on the subject of Josephine Baker herself, and a great books about the Twenties, French Resistence, and Civil Rights movements.
She was involved in the French Resistence, and after the poor death of Martin Luther King Jr., became the unofficial leader of the leader of the Civil Rights movement.
I have always loved Josephine Baker, and she is one of the major historical figures that I would love to meet. Upon reading this book, I also found out that she was Biesexual. Such a thing was common with the girls at the Moulin Rogue, and other such dance houses. I think though, that it must have been hard for her adopted son, Jean-Claude Baker, to investigate his mother's extramarital affairs, and such things that any child would generall find unpleasent to learn, but his is a historian after all.
It saddens me that certain sections of society have forgotten about Josephine Baker, and such other great figures of the Roaring Twenties. But, I remember her, and think that this book is one of greatest books on the subject of Josephine Baker herself, and a great books about the Twenties, French Resistence, and Civil Rights movements.
February 5, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of the Roaring 20's and this biography, written by her adopted son (one of the 13 "Rainbow Tribe" kids) depicts not only Josephine's life during this time, but in detail of what was going on all around her as well.
The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is I felt it kind of dragged on toward the end, and then trying to close out the final few years of her life in a sort of mad dash to her death. In reflecting on it today since finishing it last night, I think perhaps her son wrote it this way to convey what he and everyone in her orbit were feeling. She possessed demonic amounts of energy, verve and tenacity that propelled her from the slums of St. Louis to becoming a national treasure of France. But she also made the lives of those around her a living hell along the way. A manipulating, cheating, pathological liar and in the end, suffering what appeared to be dementia.
She wanted to be everything to everyone. As the philosopher Lao Tzu wrote: "The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long." This quote seems to have been written for her.
The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is I felt it kind of dragged on toward the end, and then trying to close out the final few years of her life in a sort of mad dash to her death. In reflecting on it today since finishing it last night, I think perhaps her son wrote it this way to convey what he and everyone in her orbit were feeling. She possessed demonic amounts of energy, verve and tenacity that propelled her from the slums of St. Louis to becoming a national treasure of France. But she also made the lives of those around her a living hell along the way. A manipulating, cheating, pathological liar and in the end, suffering what appeared to be dementia.
She wanted to be everything to everyone. As the philosopher Lao Tzu wrote: "The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long." This quote seems to have been written for her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews