From AudioFile
If you want to know what it meant to be an African-American in the twentieth century, listen to this audiobook. A world is explicated from the 1920s and the Harlem Renaissance to the end of the century and the death of rapper Tupac Shakur. Brock Peters's revelation of Richard Wright, the original cast of A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Nikki Giovanni explaining her poetic artistry, the black vernacular of Zora Neale Hurston perfectly rendered by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and Langston Hughes reading his iconic poetry all make this work a treasure. P.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Book Description

The leading voices of African-American letters come together in this essential collection of poems, prose and theater performance.

One of the most significant occurrences in America during the 20th century was the rise of African-American writers to the forefront of literature. Documenting their views on American culture and its tragic and glorious history, African-American writers' contributions reflected their struggle for equality and paved the way into a brighter future for their country. This collection includes selections of some of the best of those works, with an original introduction by Nikki Giovanni:

Black Boy by Richard Wright. A classic of American autobiography, this subtly crafted narrative chronicles one man's coming of age in the Jim Crow South. Performed by Brock Peters.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. An emotionally lacerating landmark of American theater, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is presented here with a full cast performance starring Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Excerpts from The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. A collection of poems from one of the most commanding voices to grace America's political and poetic landscape. Read by the author.

Excerpts from the "Tall Tales" Chapter of Every Tounge Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston. Collected in the 1920s, these stories pay tribute to the richness of Black vernacular and reflect -- with wit, wisdom, compassion, and style -- the sorrows and joys of the African-American heritage. Performed by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Excerpts from Langston Hughes Reads. A rare and exceptional recording on one of the greatest American poets of the 20th century.

Three poems by Gwendolyn Brooks. "We Real Cool," "Malcolm X," and "The Sermon on the Warpland." Performed by Ruby Dee.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The leading voices of African-American letters come together in this essential collection of poems, prose and theater performance.

One of the most significant occurrences in America during the 20th century was the rise of African-American writers to the forefront of literature. Documenting their views on American culture and its tragic and glorious history, African-American writers' contributions reflected their struggle for equality and paved the way into a brighter future for their country. This collection includes selections of some of the best of those works, with an original introduction by Nikki Giovanni:

Black Boy by Richard Wright. A classic of American autobiography, this subtly crafted narrative chronicles one man's coming of age in the Jim Crow South. Performed by Brock Peters.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. An emotionally lacerating landmark of American theater, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is presented here with a full cast performance starring Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Excerpts from The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. A collection of poems from one of the most commanding voices to grace America's political and poetic landscape. Read by the author.

Excerpts from the "Tall Tales" Chapter of Every Tounge Got to Confess by Zora Neale Hurston. Collected in the 1920s, these stories pay tribute to the richness of Black vernacular and reflect -- with wit, wisdom, compassion, and style -- the sorrows and joys of the African-American heritage. Performed by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Excerpts from Langston Hughes Reads. Arare and exceptional recording on one of the greatest American poets of the 20th century.

Three poems by Gwendolyn Brooks. "We Real Cool," "Malcolm X," and "The Sermon on the Warpland." Performed by Ruby Dee.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Poet Nikki Giovanni introduces this collection of works with her poem "The Storyteller's Silence," a wonderful start to an absolutely terrific collection of classics of African American literature. Brock Peters offers an incredible reading of Richard Wright's Black Boy, making the story seem even more touching and intense. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee read from the "Tall Tales" chapter of Every Tongue Got To Confess, stories compiled by Zora Neale Hurston during the 1920s, and listeners will be hard-pressed not to laugh. Dee also reads poems by Gwendolyn Brooks, including the incomparable "We Real Cool" and "Malcolm X." Listeners are also treated to recordings of Langston Hughes discussing his poetry and reading some of his works and a performance of A Raisin in the Sun, with poor sound quality, by Davis, Dee, Claudia McNeil, and Diana Sands. However, having the original performers play their roles is worth the difficulty in hearing the presentation. Essential for all libraries.-Danna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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