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FictionAll Aunt Hagar’s Children By Edward P. Jones Amistad, 2006 Fourteen short stories explore the bitter legacy of racism, hardship, and crime in the finely-drawn lives of multiple generations of black Americans, written without artifice by the Pulitzer Award-winning author. The Best of Simple By Langston Hughes Hill and Wang, 1990 Simple stories portray a lovable, funny Harlem everyman. Originally appearing in the Chicago Defender in 1942. The Blacker the Berry By Wallace Thurman Scribner, 1996 Emma Lou searches for love and identity while facing prejudice from within and without the African American community. Originally published in 1929. Cane: An Authoritative Text By Jean Toomer Norton, 1988 Toomer portrays what he saw as the futile struggle of African Americans in the South as compared to life in the soulless cities of the North. Originally published in 1923. Go Down, Moses By William Faulkner Vintage Books, 1990 This collection of short stories abounds with themes from the Bible. It includes some of the author’s best southern voices, black and white, with powerful portrayals of race relations. Originally published in 1942. Home to Harlem By Claude McKay Northeastern University Press, 1987 This work highlights various aspects of African American culture and illustrates the hardships of African Americans in urban areas. Originally published in 1928. Invisible Man By Ralph Ellison Modern Library, 1992 Shocking racial attitudes and injustices aimed at him persuade a young black man to believe that he is invisible, without individuality, in the eyes of others. Originally published in 1952 and winner of the National Book Award for fiction, 1953. The Living is Easy By Dorothy West Feminist Press, 1995 The central character, Cleo Judson, marries a wealthy older man and involves her three sisters in a series of calamitous events. Originally published in 1948. Native Son By Richard Wright HarperPerennial, 1998 Frustrated by racial prejudice in 1930s Chicago, a black American male is propelled into catastrophic crime. Originally published in 1941. Passing By Nella Larsen Penguin Books, 2003 This novel portrays Clare Kendry, a light-skinned woman who can never forget her heritage. Originally published in 1929. Song of Solomon By Toni Morrison Knopf, 1995 Fantastic events add to this rich story in which the main character learns to take pride in his forebears, leading him to an understanding of his identity and to value his community. Based on an African American folktale whereby slaves could fly back to Africa at will. Originally published in 1977. The Street By Ann Petry Houghton Mifflin, 1991 The poignant story of single mother Lutie Johnson struggling to raise her son in Harlem in the 1940s, facing impossible conditions of racial strife, poverty, and violence. A Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship award-winner. Originally published in 1946. Strivers Row By Kevin Baker Harper Collins, 2006 Parallel stories of the fictional minister Jonah Dove, and the real Malcolm Little, the future Malcolm X, distinguish this novel set in Harlem, 1943. This is the final volume in Baker’s City of Fire trilogy about New York, preceded by Dreamland, 1999, and Paradise Alley, 2002. Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006 Hurston gives us Janie, a woman who discovers her own unique identity by way of her relationships and cultural past. Originally published in 1937. Non FictionAfrican American Heritage Hymnal: 575 Hymns, Spirituals and Gospel Songs. G I A Publications, Inc., 2001 James Baldwin: A Biography By David Adams Leeming Knopf, 1994 Collected Essays By James Baldwin Library of America, 1998 Dreams From My Father: a story of race and inheritance By Barack Obama Three Rivers Press, 2004. Originally published: Times Books, c1995 A Raisin in the Sun By Lorraine Hansberry Vintage Books, 1994. Originally published in 1958. A Play. America in the King Years.(3 volumes) By Taylor Branch Parting the Waters 1954-63 Pillar of Fire 1963-65 At Canaan’s Edge 1965-68 Simon & Schuster, 1988, 1999, and 2006 When Harlem Was In Vogue By David Levering Lewis Penguin Books, 1997 Resources
Books by James Baldwin
Essays by James Baldwin
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