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The Life of Langston Hughes: Volume II: 1941-1967: I Dream a World

The Life of Langston Hughes: Volume II: 1941-1967: I Dream a World

$11.99 USD
$11.99 USD
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Condition: Very Good

Condition Notes: Cover contains minor shelf wear. Pages are clean and in great shape. Binding is tight.

ISBN: 9780195061697

Synopsis

The first volume of Arnold Rampersad's The Life of Langston Hughes received enormous praise. Michael Harper hailed it in The Boston Globe as "an exquisite orchestration of the fully lived life"; Alice Walker called it "a book I have waited half a lifetime for"; and John Gross declared in The New York Times that "Rampersad [leaves] you eager to see what he makes of the rest of the story." Now we have just that: the second and final volume of Rampersad's epic biography of black America's most original and beloved poet.
Rampersad traces Hughes' life from the humiliations of 1940-41, with his career in jeopardy, to his death in 1967. By that time, the world revered him not only as the dean of Afro-American writers, but also as a renowned artist whose poems, plays, and stories had profoundly influenced writers in Africa, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. This volume grippingly describes Hughes' reassessment of radicalism and art during World War II, when he contributed steadily to the national war effort even as he relentlessly attacked segregation in his country. It recounts the FBI's surveillance of him and the hounding of him by right-wing forces, including Senator Joe McCarthy, who eventually forced him to testify about his radical years.
Rampersad reveals that throughout this period Hughes never lost sight of his greatest goal: to be an artist in words, committed to black life. His devotion to this dream led to an outpouring of books of verse and fiction that reflected his love of jazz and the blues; operas in which he collaborated with Kurt Weill, William Grant Still, and Jan Meyerowitz; musical plays that introduced black gospel to the American stage; books for children; and programs for radio and television featuring stars such as Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier. His passion for life and literature brought him into fellowship--and sometimes sharp conflict--with a wide range of writers, including Richard Wright, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, and Amiri Baraka.
Written with Rampersad's characteristic grace and meticulous attention to detail, this book combines with the first volume to offer a matchless panorama of life and culture in America and abroad during the first seventy years of this century.

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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.