Fromoneofthemostbrilliantwritersandthinkersofthetwentiethcenturycomesacollectionof“passionate,probing,controversial“essays(TheAtlantic)ontopicsrangingfromracerelationsintheUnitedStatestotheroleofthewriterinsociety.ToldwithBaldwin’scharacteristicallyunflinchinghonesty,this“splendidbook“(TheNewYorkTimes)offersilluminating,deeplyfeltessaysalongwithpersonalaccountsofRichardWright,NormanMailerandotherwriters.“JamesBaldwinisaskillfulwriter,amanoffineintelligenceandatruecompanioninthedesiretomakelifehuman.Totakeacuefromhistitle,wehadbetterlearnhisname.“--TheNewYorkTimes
