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

Description

February 1, 2002 marks the 100th birthday of Langston Hughes. To commemorate the centennial of his birth, Arnold Rampersad has contributed new Afterwords to both volumes of his highly-praised biography of this most extraordinary and prolific American writer. The second volume in this masterful biography finds Hughes rooting himself in Harlem, receiving stimulation from his rich cultural surroundings. Here he rethought his view of art and radicalism, and cultivated relationships with younger, more militant writers such as Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, and Amiri Bakara. Rampersad's Afterword to volume two looks further into his influence and how it expanded beyond the literary as a result of his love of jazz and blues, his opera and musical theater collaborations, and his participation in radio and television. In addition, Rempersad explores the controversial matter of Hughes's sexuality and the possibility that, despite a lack of clear evidence, Hughes was homosexual. Exhaustively researched in archival collections throughout the country, especially in the Langston Hughes papers at Yale University's Beinecke Library, and featuring fifty illustrations per volume, this anniversary edition will offer a new generation of readers entrance to the life and mind of one of the twentieth century's greatest artists. Content: v. 1. 1902-1941, I, too, sing America. A Kansas boyhood (1902 to 1915) -- Outsetting bard (1915 to 1921) -- My people (1921 to 1923) -- On the big sea (1923 to 1924) -- We have tomorrow (1924 to 1926) -- A lion at Lincoln (1926 to 1927) -- Godmother and Langston (1927 to 1930) -- Flight and fall (1930 to 1931) -- Starting over (1931 to 1932) -- Good morning, revolution (1932 to 1933) -- Waiting on Roosevelt (1933 to 1935) -- Still waiting on Roosevelt (1935 to 1937) -- Earthquake weather (1937 to 1939) -- The fall of a titan (1939 to 1941). v. 2. 1941-1967, I dream a world. Still here (1941) -- Jim Crow's last stand (1941 to 1943) -- Simple speaks his mind (1943 to 1944) -- Third degree (1944 to 1947) -- Street scene (1945 to 1947) -- Heart on the wall (1947 to 1948) -- On solid ground (1948 to 1950) -- In warm manure (1951 to 1953) -- Out from under (1953 to 1956) -- Making hay (1957 to 1958) -- You are the world (1958 to 1960) -- Ask your mama! (1960 to 1961) -- In gospel glory (1961 to 1963) -- Blues for Mister Backlash (1963 to 1965) -- Final call (1965 to 1966) -- Do nothing till you hear from me (1966 to 1967).