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Although Langston Hughes had a lifelong engagement in theater and other performance arts, his work in this area is the least known of his rich and complex contributions to African American expressive culture. This volume focuses on Hughes's plays after 1942, along with all of his other work written for performance, including operas, musicals, radio plays, ballet libretti, and song lyrics, all of which demonstrate his strong determination to inject an African American presence into a range of cultural forms. ... Read more

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A college-level critical examination
Collected Works Of Langston Hughes V. 4 is a college-level critical examination presenting Hughes' novels Not Without Laughter and Tambourines To Glory, and is recommended reading for any studying the body of Hughes' works. Dolan Hubbard edits these two short novels, which are recommended reading for any in-depth study of Hughes' achievements. ... Read more

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"Drawing on a deep understanding of the shades and structures of the blues, Steven C. Tracy elucidates the vital relationship between this musical form and the art of Langston Hughes, preeminent poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Tracy provides a cultural context for the poet's work and shows how Hughes mined African-American oral and literary traditions to create his blues-inspired poetry. Through a detailed comparison of Hughes's poems to blues texts, Tracy demonstrates how the poetics, structures, rhythms, and musical techniques of the blues are reflected in Hughes's experimental forms. The volume also includes a discography of recordings by the blues artists - Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and others - who most influenced Hughes, updated in a new introduction by the author." ... Read more

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This is a three-act comedy from the Harlem Renaissance.The setting is Florida. The main characters are two song and dance men and Daisy. Here is a classic love triangle. Jealously causes Jim to hit Dave with a mule bone.The town is split over this incident.The Methodists want Jim pardoned.The Baptists want him banished. ... Read more

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New York City, uptown, the 1920s. Poets, writers, dancers, and musicians came to Harlem to experience the excitement of the jazz age and to see the cabarets and floor shows at the Apollo Theatre and the Cotton Club. People flocked to Harlem to hear the genius of band leader Duke Ellington, thejazz-poetry of Langston Hughes, and the romantic lyricism of Countee Cullen. The Harlem Renaissance produced some of the 20th century’s greatest and most influential artists, figures at the center of the spectacular jazz era. These African American artists created a new American sound and a new American culture. This unique recording tells the Harlem Renaissance story through the spoken word and live music of some of its most famous works. Experience it all yourself in…
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE REMEMBERED

Foreword and Afterword by Jonathan Gross, Ph.D. —
Hear the story of Harlem, told through the words of its poets and the sound of its musicians. Imagine yourself in the Cotton Club where Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra performed their hit song, “Take the A Train”. Listen to Langston Hughes’s “Theme for English B” recited aloud while the strains of “Mood Indigo” play from a distant radio. Learn what the world was like in the 1920s when the Harlem Renaissance was at its height, and why it is still so important today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Pleasing, interesting, but not profound.
I found this an interesting little compilation of Harlem pieces. There was music and poetry and literature. I really helped give a feel to the time period to hear it all aloud and together.The sound quality is okay and could be better at times. And some of the music choices were questionable, but without a doubt it really helped to illustrate the richness of the artistic pallet that was being used at the time of the Harlem renaissance and hearing thepoems read aloud alongside the music really did a great job of pinpointing the cadence that is hard to pick up on in the written word.

Definitely something useful for say an American Studies class, or American History, Black History month, etc.

This brief (less than an hour) "audio book" is more of a radio play with music.
This product is described as an audio book and, as such, you expect someone to read aloud the text of a book. In this case it's more of a radio script with musical selections included between the narratives. Since it fits neatly into an hour, it might have been made to a public radio broadcast. And if that were what it was, that would be fine. But as a commercial product it falls short. And, as others have said at length, in their reviews here, the "narrator" has a voice that doesn't exactly draw you in.

The concept of narration with full musical excerpts to illustrate the music portion of the Harlem Renaissance is a good idea. With a longer running time and more engaging narrator (or narrators), this could be an interesting project.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Strange Concoction
I was intrigued by the promise of this CD, which seemed to be an integration of the poetry and music that served as the heartbeat of the Harlem Renaissance.Yet the delivery in the final product falls short of fulfilling that promise.Instead, it is an odd mishmash of music and poetry that doesn't seem to have an easily identifiable place.

The CD begins with an introduction by Jonathan Gross, who does not have the most compelling voice for this sort of work, that glosses briefly over the history of the Harlem Renaissance.The rest of the CD is made up of readings of poems by Langston Hughes and performances of Duke Ellington's music, interspersed with further commentary.While "Mack" Jay Jordan's renditions of Ellington's songs are for the most part very good, the poetry readings seem out of synch - some are read too fast, some are overwhelmed by the music.Not to mention that fact that this project limits the Harlem Renaissance down to only these two artists, forsaking other greats of the time period in both music and literature.

I was hoping to use this CD in my American Literature class, but at over an hour in length, it is too long for the normal class period.Plus, with the additional commentary throughout the CD, there is no good breaking point to use even snipets of it rather than trying to use the whole."The Harlem Renaiassance Remembered" is an intriguing concept, and perhaps would work much better as a series of audio works that feature other artists from the time period.As it stands, it is too narrow in focus and too disjointed to fulfill the promise its title implies.

Loved It!
I did read the reviewer who said this was not "deep" or "wide" enough; I confess, I am no historian, nor have I ever lived in Harlem, so perhaps that is true.But I thoroughly enjoyed this entire thing!I found it uplifting and thought-provoking.It has made me more determined than ever to take a tour of Harlem, next time I am back east.

wow
Fantastic CD! This period in history was so dynamic, groundbreaking...I read/see/listen to everything I can about this era. Everyone should listen to this! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Yum
I'm not usually a big fan of short stories but I love these.They are insightful, attention grabbing and always interesting.I got this book as a gift when I was 15 still come back to it frequently years later.

Wonderful Collection of Hughes' Works
The book contains over 40 short stories and 4 early works by Langston Hughes. As a high school student, I have enjoyed each and every work of Hughes and am fond of his writings.

The Dean of Black American Literature & American Lit
Langston Hughes entire body of work is a testament to his love and pride of being a black American.Though he never excluded his common bond of brotherhood with other people of non-African decent, black Americans occupied first place in his affections and concerns.He never turned his back to them to win the approbation of a larger audience by catering to stereotypes.He had a profound dislike for blacks ashamed of being black,ashamed or who denied their African heritage, ashamed of their skin, and who catered to the worst prejudices of the larger audience in any medium for profit and fame or just to be liked and accepted--like a worrisome number today.

Like his poetry, Hughes short stories reflected much of his philosophy about being proudly black and the shared commonality of all people.Here in LANGSTON HUGHES: SHORT STORIES, edited by Akiba Sullivan Harper with and introduction by Arnold Rampersad, is the proof.Many of the stories presented here are those that have been out of print for some time ,or, are being printed for the first time since they were created.Much like the COLLECTED POEMS by Rampersad, an effort has been made to put the stories in chronological order by the date they were written or published. In all the stories represent a brief overview of specific short stories, not "all" Hughes short stories, and are different in tone and universal in some topics while still embracing black identity. My favorites are "Blessed Assurance" (protesting homophobia in the black community and black church in Hughes's own understandably gay closeted way) and those inspired by his early sea travels. The appendix of this book contains those stories written when Hughes was still in high school.

Like much of Hughes body of work, what he produced is still relevant today in one way or another as in the day he first put pen to paper or struck the keys of a typewriter to entertain and make a statement.

The BEST insight in the human condition
If you want to read some really deep and powerful insights into the human condition, check out "Mary Winowsky" (written when LH was in HIGH SCHOOL!), "The Gun," Fine Accomodations," "One Friday Morning," "The Little Virgin," "The Young Glory of Him." These stories will make you weep and think about the everyday people you pass in the street and wonder about the stories they may have inside of them. This book should be in EVERY literature class!

This book tells more than just what it is to be Black, it says a lot about being human.

WONDERFUL!
THIS BOOK IS TRULY A MASTERPIECE!I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED LANGSTON HUGHES WHETHER IT WAS HIS POETRY OR HIS SHORT STORIES. HE WAS A VERY INTELLIGIENT MIND(WHAT A BRILLIANT MAN). R.I.P. MY DEAR LANGSTON! ... Read more

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From alienated beginnings in predominantly white Kansas townsemerged one of the great voices of the Harlem Renaissance. This lyricportrait of one of America's finest poets transcends conventionalbiography to touch the hearts of young readers. Ages 9 up. ... Read more

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About a famous black poet
This book is a biography of the poet Langston Hughes; it is arranged in typical chronological fashion, primarily including information about his youth and early career.

Free To Dream is excellent overall.Langston Hughes was a successful writer with an entertaining and exciting career.Osofsky doesn't skimp on the depressing details, including mention of Langston's thorny relationship with his father, rejections at soda counters and restaurants (due to his race), and several other disappointments, mostly economic. ("To save money, he borrowed textbooks from the library instead of buying them, and washed his socks and handkerchiefs by hand.")Still, this is an entertaining read and a good overall assessment of the author's career.High school students who have been entertained or inspired by his poetry will find more inspiration here.

This is a good biography, probably best for young readers, aged 10-18.It's just over 100 pages, which makes it a good resource for a report.It's not so long you can't read the whole thing in one day. ... Read more

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Biographical sketches, photos and 101 different activities, games and ideas help young readers celebrate the legacy of Langston Hughes while encouraging them to begin developing legacies of their own. Great for classroom, group or individual use. ... Read more

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Langston Hughes drew poetic inspiration from the heart and soul of African-American culture. His original verse resonates with the rhythms of jazz, blues and the language of the streets. Describing the everyday lives of African Americans, Hughes became the leading African-American poet of the world.

In Langston Hughes: Poet of the Harlem Renaissance, author Christine M. Hill explores the life and career of this beloved--sometimes controversial--poet. After a lonely childhood and one unhappy year of college, Hughes educated himself by wandering the globe, searching for meaning and finding within himself the rich voice of his people. In the 1920s he returned to the United States, where he finished college and became a major figure in the flourishing arts scene in Harlem, a district of New York City. Despite a life plagued at times by loneliness, poverty, racial discrimination, and political persecution, Langston Hughes let nothing stand in the way of achieving his dream of becoming a writer. He died in 1967, but his seven volumes of poetry, as well as his short stories, hit plays, autobiographical works, and social commentary are a powerful legacy. ... Read more

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Langston Hughes is one of the most important American poets of the twentieth century.He was among the first African-American writers to see the poetry in everyday black speech and use it in his own writing.This biography tell his story and how his perseverance and unique qualities continue to set examples today.Readers will be inspired to learn how Langston overcame adversity and hardships, while making his mark in the world of literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Heart of a Poet
What a pleasure to find this excellent introductory biography of the poet Langston Hughes. Shull's language, too, is poetic as she explores Hughes, his writings, his work for civil rights and justice for his fellow blacks, and the era of the Harlem Renaissance. Well-designed graphics and info-packed sidebars add depth to a young reader's understanding of both the man and the times. Long an admirer, I've done some Langston research myself; turns out that although rumor and innuendo abound, there is no proof of his homosexuality. (May we soon come of age, realizing how irrelevant such speculation is.) What does matter and what Shull makes clear is how much this great man achieved in both literature and life. The work of others--in this case Hughes--is copyrighted, so what Shull offers is tempting snippets. This fine biography for the school/library market will leave readers "tasted up" for more of Hughes's soaring poetry and fresh, important ideas.

Langston Hughes America's Poet
Langston Hughes, by Jodie Shull is a beautifully crafted and well researched biography. In this biography readers both young and old will learn about Hughes's unsettled childhood, his difficult adolescent years and his blossoming into a poet during the Harlem Renaissance. Also included and well done are stories of the racism that Mr. Hughes faced as a boy and later as a poet.
The book's pictrues and highlighted pull outs support the text well.
Ms. Shull goes to great length to provide the reader anecdotes that make Hughes come alive. One gets a good sense of who he was, and of the times he lived.
This book would be an excellent source for students to use for a class assignment biography ofMr. Hughes. And I highly reccomend it for anyone who wishes to know more about Langston Hughes.
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An interesting but awkward mix of original texts, history, and analysis
Much of this rather unfocused book consists of previously unpublished texts. Anything that brings us more of Hughes' work is valuable. The intriguing tidbits call for coherent narrative and analysis. The assumptions about Hughes' political objectives and decisions, and the political affiliations of Ella Winter, Lincoln Steffens, and others, are insufficiently supported by facts, and are sometimes entirely inaccurate. It would help to look at Hughes' and Ella Winter's autobiographies, and Steffens' letters and major works. There are passing references to racism and political discrimination, and vicious 'vigilante' threats and actions. Instead of incorporating these into a deeper analysis, the author applies an outdated, Cold-War style 'Communist' label. Having declared the works mere formulaic agit-prop, she leaves no space to consider their serious socio-political underpinnings or the deep concerns, convictions and commitments of Hughes and his colleagues. Too much context is missing. Even the cover photograph would be more meaningful in its entirety (if not on the cover, at least, where it is repeated inside the book). It has been cropped to eliminate the context. The original shows Hughes playing with the young Pete Steffens and his toy truck, in a sandbox -- a portrait not only of the man, but of a gentle moment in the midst of turbulent times.

... Read more