Hughes Books

The treatment of African Americans, it all its un-fair-ity, is described here. What makes this book and this author superb, is the small things that we take for granted that we think would not offend people, actually do and this author points them out. He YELLS about them and I'm glad that I got to read his raves. Bravo!!

LANGSTON HUGHES: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES PAST AND PRESENT by Henry
Louis Gates, Jr. and al, is part of the Amistad Literary Series on African Americans authors of noted literary fame and skill. As the title suggest, this particular installment discusses the some of the work of Langston Hughes.

The book is divided into to sections, excluding the introduction. The first section cover contemporary reviews giving during Hughes' lifetime. As the introduction notes, the reviews are "drawn from magazines, journals, and newspapers from the mainstream and African American press." Noted reviewers include the main rival of Hughes during the heyday of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen, and one of the Renaissance's midwives, Jessie Fauset, both reviewing the WEARY BLUES. Cullen criticizes Hughes on being to much a Negro poet instead of just a poet in the Euro-centric sense and its attending influences. Cullen does offer Hughes praise here and there, but for the most part his taste contrasts sharply with Hughes resolutely Afro-centric/racial pride that would form the basis of a lifetime of the bulk of work composed by Hughes despite his being well read in the works of European authors in additon to those of African decent. Reviews of Hughes work to follow are by Sterling Brown, Richard Wright, J. Saunders Redding, Carl Van Vechten, and other lesser known figures lost to history. Sherwood Anderson reviews THE WAYS OF WHITE FOLKS where he feels Hughes may have
been a little to harsh in his depiction of white folks. Considering the all to often negative depiction of black folks in the various arts of the day, at lease Hughes put a more human
face on white folks, an act seldom accorded to black folks in literature by whites of that same time frame. James Baldwin provides the most caustic review of Hughes by way of Hughes SELECTED POEMS. The review hurt and angered Hughes to the point that Hughes never really liked Baldwin to much again. Later in Baldwin's life, he confessed his regret over his review and attested to Hughes' genius.

The second half of the book covers essays written by scholars on Hughes' varied pieces of work. The essays are comprehensive and well written to the point that a simple review cannot do them justice. Instead, one must simply take the time to read each one or each one of interest to him or her. There are ten essays in all of varying length. For me, three interesting ones were those by Arnold Rampersad, Steven Tracy, Raymond Smith, and
Maryemma Graham. Rampersad cites FINE CLOTHES TO THE JEW as representing Hughes at his very best and one never really equaled again by him. Steven Tracy covers the blues influence on the work of Hughes in-depth. Raymond Smith looks at aspects of the life of Hughes in relation to his work. Of note is the fact that Langston Hughes has more in common with blacks of the post integration period and its realities because of the "somewhat" integrated high school he attended as a teenager. Also, mention is made of Hughes steadfast racial pride, the solidarity despite the contrast in realities of blood history between the average African American to the pure blooded African, and Hughes opinion of whites in general, i.e. some being okay (covered in Rampersad's LIFE OF HUGHES Vol. 2.). Maryemma Graham argues that by focusing on the black working class in his literature, Hughes transcended racial subject matter specifically to become a social/proletarian artist in the universal sense. Moreover, Hughes did not adhere to strict socialist doctrine. Rather, he imbued and formed it around the realities of the African American experience to reach this universality. This significant and important characteristic is often ignored or forgotten when discussing the work of Langston Hughes, both poetry and stories, during the 1930s and 40s. As it otherwise existed, the predominantly white dominated left of his day was marred by a degree on general racism in the U.S. that largely ignored or failed to consider the black experience.

This book is quick to praise Arnold Rampersad's two definitive biographies of Langston Hughes. Arnold Rampersad's extremely exhaustive research is represented here in CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES making this and excellent companion to the biographies for anyone able and willing to take time to read this book along side Rampersad's biographies.

This book is excellent! It's a quick read that is packed with useful information, and full of interesting pictures of Mr. Hughes himself, and the classic Harlem Renaissance. It's perfect for any book report or just for pleasure. I would definitly recommend you take advantage of this book for its many great features. Though it only has 112 pgs, the print is quite small, it isn't a very small book, and it has dozens of great pictures in each chapter, + its got a time line, and gives you some great choices for further reading!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the great Langston Hughes, whom was the ultimate afro american poet!

"Langston" is a 1982 play by OSSIE DAVIS that rolls along, just like the view of the Mississippi River out the train window in the cover illustration by Jerry Pinkney: "I heard the singing of the Mississippi, all golden in the sunset . . . singing sorrow songs on the banks of a mighty river."

Ossie Davis had a voice that thundered like Abraham, that touched one deep in the soul, clear down to the soles of one's feet. And he could write! He told of Langston Hughes taking over a play rehearsal and recreating his life: those "sad old weary blues." From Kansas where he lived with his grandmother, to Illinois, Mexico, to New York & Harlem, to Africa, to Paris and Harlem again; then Pennsylvania, where he graduated from college in 1929. When other men were jumping from buildings, Langston Hughes continued writing. "My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

Many named in the play as influences in Langston Hughes' life, were revered by & quoted by my father: Frederick Douglass, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, Thurgood Marshall, Mary McLeod Bethune; also white poets Vachel Lindsay & Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ossie Davis opened to us a view of a previous generation, somewhat like the view from that railroad car - - passing swiftly as in a dream.

By coincidence I had again been reading the play before learning of Ossie Davis' death last week. I am grateful to him for sharing the stories of many dreams with play-goers and readers. Even more, Reviewer mcHAIKU is thankful for the lives of two great artists: Langston Hughes AND Ossie Davis.

Walter Hughes strong point shows up in this novel. The plot is carfully set out with an idealistic format. The story than builds into avery knowledgeable form with finally a mysterousness ending. Equal to Blind Man Bluff or Red October. This is a story that i am glad I read. Maybe he will give us more.

This is for people on the go. If you're absolutely exhausted at the end of a busy day and literally "braindead"...then this book is for you! It's mainstream cooking at its best...using 6 ingredients or less per recipe. Whether you are diagnosed with diabetes, or just want to eat better by taking control of your carbohydrates and your health...and ALWAYS in a hurry, then you'll love this book. My goal was to develop recipes that would not tax the brain or require a lot of energy to prepare, but still provide great tasting meals. So I intentionally created and tested every recipe when I was tired...yes, really tired to be sure that they WERE really simple, really fast, really economical, and really easy to clean up! You CAN have normal food and still be in control of your health. Since these meals are for everyone, you'll be eating the same food as your family and friends. You won't feel singled out, you'll just feel extremely satisfied!! Try my Double Berry Pie...cook the filling a few minutes in a skillet and slide a "flat baked" prepared pie crust on top...a 15-minute,quick-fix skillet fruit pie...and the ingredients can always be kept on hand! So now you can enjoy eating...all over again! Have fun with it, I do!

Sagar examines Ted Hughes' poetic works and major themes from within the context of the poet's life and its key influences. This inspection encompasses the expanse of Hughes' life, from the initial stimulus of his childhood landscapes and intimate relationships, to the more complex and dramatic relationships of his adulthood.

Sagar brings these influences together with his personal observations and interpretations of Hughes' work-based largely on letters and speeches written by the poet himself-and treats the reader to an eloquent assessment of the evolution of Hughes' major poetic themes, from violent nature and a world constructed of mud and blood, to nature as revered, a doorway to the sacred, and a world built of light.

Any fan of Hughes' poetry will treasure this book.

it is a nice book
really very helpfull
i reall get crazy reding this book
it has helped me a lot

A very simple book, told from a young childs perspective about hiding, giving, chatting and bouncing. The words are to difficult for emerging readers, but younger chindren will enjoy being read to. Two children and two parents, one set in a loving home. Very good book, with color illustrations, that will be of interest to students in K and 1st grade.

This book contrary to the note attached to the title notation that it is "womens" diarys and letters. It deals with one indiviual Andrew Sheffield daughter of (yes daughter) James L Sheffield Confererate Colonel,Senator and politican from Marshall County Alabama. Andrew was committed to Bryce Hospital the State Asylum at Tuscaloosa by her father and stepbrother who was the probate judge in Marshall Co at the time. It is doubtful that she was insane, however she had disgraced the family by having an affair and committing an attemped act of arson at the request of her lover Dr William May. James Sheffield shot Dr May for dishonoring his family, he was arrested but no billed. When it became apparent that Andrew was to be tried for attemped arson. She was commited to Bryce. This book is almost entirely composed of letters written by Andrew from the time of her commitment until her death in 1920. She wrote to her father and brother as long as her father lived begging to be released and allowed to stand trial for her "criminal act". She over the years wrote long intelligent and lucid letters to all the Govenors who served during her confinment. Several considered releasing her,however her family was well connected enough to keep her there. It is very painful and depressing reading these letters, however it very clearly reflects the total lack of control women had over their lives in this period. It is interesting to note that her father this pillar of the community had a second family only a few miles away by his long time mistress. A very interesting example of the double standards of the period.