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Composition in Black and White: The Tragic Saga of Harlem’s Biracial Prodigy: The Life of Philippa Schuyler

Composition in Black and White: The Tragic Saga of Harlem’s Biracial Prodigy: The Life of Philippa Schuyler

$19.99 USD
$19.99 USD
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Condition: Very Good

Condition Notes: Book is in excellent condition, binding tight and pages in great shape. Dust jacket contains minor shelf wear.

Publication year: 1995
Binding: Hardcover

Born in Harlem during the hardships of the Great Depression, Philippa Duke Schuyler was the daughter of George Schuyler, a prominent black journalist, and a white heiress. From an early age, she was pushed toward prodigious musical achievement—reading and writing music by age two, dazzling audiences as a pianist by four, and composing by five.

Raised under the spotlight, Philippa’s story is intertwined with race, identity, and expectation. Her biracial heritage set her apart in a society still deeply divided by color lines, and her talent made her both celebrated and scrutinized. As she matured, Philippa’s career took her abroad, where she found audiences that both embraced and exoticized her. Yet behind the acclaim was a life marked by internal conflict, yearning for belonging, and love affairs laden with complication.

Beyond her music, Philippa worked as a foreign correspondent, visiting war-torn and remote places, and committed acts of compassion. Tragically, her life ended in a helicopter crash in 1967 during a humanitarian mission in Vietnam. Talalay’s biography draws on private letters and interviews to present a textured portrait of brilliance, struggle, triumphs, and loss. Philippa emerges not just as a prodigy, but as someone seeking her place in a world that often saw her more as an idea than a person.

Synopsis

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Book Condition Scale

  • Like New

    This book is in excellent condition and appears to have been read only once. The pages are clean and unmarked, with no creases or stains. The binding remains firm and tight. There may be minimal signs of shelf wear on the cover or dust jacket, but overall, the book looks and feels nearly new.

  • Very Good

    This book has been read but remains in great condition. It does not look new, yet there is no obvious damage to the cover. Wear and tear are minimal. The pages are clean, free of highlighting or notes, though it may contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.

  • Good

    This book shows moderate to heavy signs of wear that can include creases, stains or tears. The cover may have minimal damage, and the binding remains intact with slight wear. The majority of pages are undamaged, though there may be some highlighting, underlining, or notes. It may also contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.

  • Acceptable

    This book shows significant wear, which may include tears, large stains, creases, loose pages, and heavy notes, underlining, or highlighting. The binding may be loose but remains intact. While it has noticeable imperfections, it is still a complete and readable copy. Any major defects will be clearly noted in the listing.

  • As Is

    This book is visibly worn and may be heavily soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted. It may have loose joints, hinges, or pages, and some text or pages may be missing. Large tears and other significant defects may be present. While still a readable copy, it shows substantial signs of use. Any major flaws will be clearly noted in the listing.

  • Dust Jacket Grading

    (A) Excellent
    The dust jacket is in excellent condition, may show the slightest signs of shelf wear, if any.

    (B) Good
    Shows minor shelf wear, usually along edges and may have a few light stains.

    (C) Fair
    Displays moderate shelf wear, including some noticeable small tears, creasing and/or stains.

    (D) Poor
    Contains large tears, several creases, and/or heavy staining.

    (F) As Is
    Shows significant wear and tear. Majority of dust jacket is torn or missing. May contain heavy staining.