An intimate biography of Paul Robeson, written by his son..Robeson
Jr. ("Paul Robeson Jr. Speaks to America", 1993) traces his
father's life from birth through the start of WWII, when the
performer and activist all but fell mute. The author's ranging
voice can be defensive, proud, protective, and bell-clear, and
while he may not have the thunderous delivery of his father, his
words come across as heartfelt. The focus of his study is on the
development of his father's cultural and political views, while
considerable attention is paid to the nature of Robeson's
relationship with his wife. Clearly, much of Robeson's sense of
dignity, self-worth, and justice came as a result of growing up the
son of a clergyman (his father was pastor of Harlem's Zion Church)
- and from his own harsh experiences as the only black student at
Rutgers. His drive to excel as a performer is set within the larger
context of his conviction that the African-American cultural and
spiritual experience was central to their liberation as a people.
But this can hardly be considered late-breaking news - nor, as the
author suggests, is the "debunking" of Robeson as a Communist
likely to surprise many. While it is undeniable that Robeson
admired the Soviet Union for its racial tolerance, as well as its
anticolonial and antifascist stances, it now appears that he was
more of a dupe than a true believer. Indeed, his silence on the
Stalinist purges (to say nothing of the Scottsboro trials) would
have made for some interesting speculation on Robeson Jr.'s part -
and it is understandable, perhaps, but unfortunate all the same
that such speculations never found their way into the author's
account. Robeson Jr. does, however, break some new ground in his
discussion of his father's artistic development, particularly
regarding his use of the traditional folk style in
spirituals..Informed by a filial piety throughout, but hardly an
unbiased take. (photographs, not seen). (Kirkus Reviews)
The long-awaited, untold, inside story of the rise of the legendary actor, singer, scholar, and activist. The first volume of this major biography breaks new ground.
The greatest scholar-athlete-performing artist in U.S. history, Paul Robeson was one of the most compelling figures of the twentieth century.
Now his son, Paul Robeson Jr., traces the dramatic arc of his rise to fame, painting a definitive picture of Paul Robeson’s formative years. His father was an escaped slave; his mother, a descendent of freedmen; and his wife, the brilliant and ambitious Eslanda Cardozo Goode. With a law degree from Columbia University; a professional football career; title roles in Eugene O’Neill’s plays and in Shakespeare’s Othello; and a concert career in America and Europe, Robeson dominated his era.
This unprecedented biography reveals the depth of Robeson’s cultural scholarship, explores the contradictions he bridged in his personal and political life, and describes his emergence as a symbol of the anticolonial and antifascist struggles. Filled with previously unpublished photographs and source materials from the private diaries and letters of Paul and Eslanda Robeson, this is the epic story of a forerunner who now stands as one of America’s greatest heroes.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
