Product Description
The first collection of selected poetry from perhaps the preeminent African American literary figure of our time. Baraka almost single-handedly changed both the nature and the form of post-World War II African-American literature, and this volume is an important contribution to Modernist literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

word beat
Baraka's "Best Of..." collection is quite simply a must-read for any person with an interest in 20th century poetry. The words almost leap out against you when you open the book, and the language is mind-bending. Try to read these poems aloud to yourself, and you might just get the word-kick of a lifetime.Oop Bop Sh'Bam...

The Life of a Revolutionary Poet
This book is not for those sensitive to raw material. But if you're a fan of Mr. Baraka, this book is a 40-year collection, and a definite must for your bookshelf. In the words of Mr. Baraka, "Can you stand such beauty? So violent and transforming." This line from his poem"Return of the Native" encompasses all that is Transbluency. Thisbook is for the true fan of protest poetry. Mr. Baraka uses blues and jazzrhythms as well as the natural essence of words to express himself inamazing ways. I enjoy this book not only because I am a fan, but because itis rare to find a poet who has mastered the art of poetic language andimagery. ... Read more

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THE DEAD LECTURER Poems by LeRoi Jones (A Grove Press Evergreen softcover 1964). ... Read more

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incl long out-of-print chapbooks, broadsides et al ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of 16 tales clearly resolves itself into 2 parts: the first 9 stories concern themselves with the sensibility of a hip, perceptive young black man in white America. The last 7 endeavor to place that same black man within the context of his awareness of and participation in a rapidly emerging and powerfully felt Negritude. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Before He was a Homophobe, He was Gay
This is an excellent autobiographical novel about the coming of age of a young, Black, male homosexual. He grapples with issues of insecurity and shame.

Anyone familiar with the work of Amiri Baraka (formerly known as Leroy Jones, and then LeRoi Jones) knows that he is extremely homophobic and heterosexist. He is vicious and searing in his hatred of gays. And yet he himself is gay. Of course he covers that up now and will not admit to it.

The physical discription of the character matches up with his own appearance. The locations and dates in the novel match up with the wheres and whens of his own life. So do other details, such as the main character being in the military and traveling to specific military stations.

Despite of the terrible things he says about gays, I can't help but feel sorry for him after reading this novel. ... Read more