James Baldwin: The Last Interview: and other Conversations (The Last Interview Series) by James Baldwin (EPUB)

Description

Never before available, the unexpurgated last interview with James Baldwin“I was not born to be what someone said I was. I was not born to be defined by someone else, but by myself, and myself only.” When, in the fall of 1987, the poet Quincy Troupe traveled to the south of France to interview James Baldwin, Baldwin’s brother David told him to ask Baldwin about everything—Baldwin was critically ill and David knew that this might be the writer’s last chance to speak at length about his life and work.The result is one of the most eloquent and revelatory interviews of Baldwin’s career, a conversation that ranges widely over such topics as his childhood in Harlem, his close friendship with Miles Davis, his relationship with writers like Toni Morrison and Richard Wright, his years in France, and his ever-incisive thoughts on the history of race relations and the African-American experience.Also collected here are significant interviews from other moments in Baldwin’s life, including an in-depth interview conducted by Studs Terkel shortly after the publication of Nobody Knows My Name. These interviews showcase, above all, Baldwin’s fearlessness and integrity as a writer, thinker, and individual, as well as the profound struggles he faced along the way.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review “If you’re hoping to find holiday reading that is as educational as it is entertaining, look no further than [this] new book of discussions with legendary intellectual James Baldwin.”—Vogue.com“Resonant… Stellar interviews.”—Flavorwire”Of particular interest to those who seek to better understand Baldwin’s biography and his complex and often contradictory legacy as a trailblazing figure in gay literary history.”—Lambda Literary”One of many reminders that Baldwin’s observations on race, sexuality, and society remain relevant — and that the voice in which he made them remains one of the most compelling in all of American letters.”—Biographile“The great James Baldwin has his turn in the also great series from Melville House.”—Largehearted Boy, WORD Bookstores’ Books of the WeekPraise for James Baldwin:“Jimmy Baldwin was the creator of contemporary American speech even before Americans could dig that.” —Amiri Baraka“I am completely indebted to Jimmy Baldwin’s prose. It liberated me as a writer.” —Toni Morrison“Baldwin’s way of seeing, his clarity, precision, and eloquence are unique . . . He manages to be concrete, particular . . . yet also transcendent, arching above the immediacy of an occasion or crisis. He speaks as great black gospel music speaks, through metaphor, parable, rhythm.” —USA Today“[Baldwin is] among the most penetrating and perceptive of American thinkers.” —The New Republic About the Author JAMES BALDWIN (1922–1987) was a novelist, essayist, and activist. He is best known for the novels Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953) and Giovanni’s Room (1956), and the collections Nobody Knows My Name (1961) and The Fire Next Time (1963). He was an important figure in the civil rights movement, and his books addressing the African-American and gay experiences have influenced generations of writers.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐if you want to know about james baldwin, baldwin at his best is found in his work, his autobiographical essays, and the biography by his secretary, david leeming. the interviews here belong as much to the body of work of the interviewers as baldwin.four interviews from three periods of his life. the interview conducted by studs terkel, in 1961 at the beginning of the civil rights movement, appeared after the publication of baldwin’s book of essays, Nobody Knows My Name. The range of essays reflects the cosmopolitanism of baldwin, his interview of the swedish filmmaker, ingrid bergman, outside stockholm; coming of age in harlem, new york, in the 1930s; his presence at the 1956 conference of negro-african writers and artists held in france–the first day of the meeting in attendance were richard wright, alioune diop, organizer, leopold senghor from senegal, aimie cesaire from martinque, and, representing haiti, jacques alexis and jean price-mars, literary and intellectual luminaries invisible to the western world; and a visit to the segregated american south. terkel’s other questions, based on the book, include baldwin’s observations on Carmen Jones. the film with a black cast, comments by faulkner, ‘minority rights’, the terror embraced by white americans in the presence of black americans, and his experiences with richard wright and norman mailer.two interviews from 1984, conducted respectively by julius lester and richard goldstein. between 1961 and 1984, martin luther king, malcolm x, two kennedy brothers, and medgar evers had been murdered, the war in viet-nam had ended, the black power movement had run its course, civil rights legislation had passed, and large cities in the united states had black mayors. lester’s questions begin with of a young baldwin’s early publications in new york’s intellectual journals and cover generational differences of the black writers who came of age in the sixties and formed the black arts movement, his role as a witness to his times, and celebrity. goldstein’s interview is an inquiry of homosexuality. the term ‘gay’ was not in existence in the 40s and 50s. being gay did not have a strong political agenda or an openly visible presence as san francisco’s castro valley. the homosexuality of which goldstein spoke was a long way from Giovanni’s Room.the final interview, conducted by quincy troupe, took place at baldwin’s home in the south of france in 1987, the year which would see baldwin’s death. troupe was working on his book about miles davis and had gone to see baldwin to ask him about his relationship with the great trumpeter. he had no idea of baldwin’s waning health until baldwin’s brother, david, told him, and asked him to conduct a more extensive interview since troupe’s interview would be aldwin’s last interview, an overview of baldwin’s life.

⭐These interviews were so topical that they could have been done last week. One of Mr. Baldwin’s observations indicated that the only difference between a black man and a white man is (slight paraphrase) the white man has his “knee” on the black man’s neck. He didn’t say back or chest, he said neck. Hello George Floyd. The statement struck so hard that I had to put the book down for a while. I’m black, born in the south during the 1950s, so this was not news to me. The man was such an observer of the Black race’s condition in America that his knowledge offers a prescient knowledge of today’s world events. Should be required reading for all who live in a multi-racial society today.

⭐James Baldwin was very careful with the written word. Words mattered to him because he understood that they transcend a simple lifetime. These interviews show Baldwin carefully choosing his words but also “letting his hair down” a little, particularly in the last, longest interview. This is an excellent collection of recollections, thoughts, apperceptions, and scrutiny. (Ismael Reed comes off poorly.) Buy it! You will not be disappointed, particularly if you are favorably inclined toward Baldwin. People on the fence would do well to buy the book to gain insight into one of African-Americans’ best spokesmen. Recognize also that James Baldwin was an individual voice. Each author’s viewpoint leavens the dough of group experience. Once you’ve finished this short collection, buy and read Eddie Glaude, Jr.‘s “ Democracy in Black.”

⭐Had forgotten how brilliant Baldwin is, and reading the interviews it’s amazing how he predicted exactly where we are today: white society fearing they will be ‘extinguished’ or ‘overrun’ by brown and black peoples, and so beginning new race wars. Even more revealing is the condescension and clear (today) racism and homophobia of some of his interviewers. Read ‘Stamped from the Beginning’ last year, and it made enough of an impact that in reading these interviews, one can spot even those who are ‘trying to elevate’ this brilliant black man to their whiteness. Baldwin seems present enough, and brilliant enough, to see al the racist and homophobic comments for what they are – I wished at times these were audio tapes, so I could hear his answers which, just being read, still sound as if they put those interviewers who need it in the place they belong. This is an excellent read for the 21st Century…

⭐I read this small, albeit, powerful book in one sitting. So timely and relevant. It did not disappoint and has helped to inform my understanding of the current crisis in race relations and political discord. Baldwin’s insights are particularly helpful in achieving an understanding of how and why we got Donald J. Trump as our president, and a government that is dysfunctional. Baldwin’s writings can give us clarity of vision and energy to power the resistance we need to confront the destructive actions of our current leaders. For that I am eternally grateful. I just wish there was more in this last interview.

⭐Almost nothing is better or more illuminating than hearing Jimmy Baldwin talk. The clarity and the relentless honesty of his voice is unequalled. He still speaks directly to us today. Can it be that we have finally begun to listen?

⭐If you luv Baldwin you will luv the interviews. His thoughts are still timely. He is forever my muse. A great introduction to his direct thought. So many people want to analyze his words, but Baldwin is very clear. No interpretation needed. One can skip around and read which ever interview looks interesting. I personally like the cover. A must read if you want his word and not the many who attempt to analyze him and his work.

⭐I love James Baldwin had to get it. Arrived fast

⭐A genius, and a fascinating interview.

⭐Tous les écrits de Baldwin sont des lectures essentielles, pas seulement sur la question du racisme, ou de l”American experience”, mais simplement pour ce qui nous concerne tous : être un humain, vivre en société, avoir son identité (quelle qu’elle soit) définie par l’Autre. Essentiel Baldwin. Ici, en plus, ce sont des entrevues, à différentes époques de sa vie. Un éclairage sur l’oeuvre et sur l’homme.

⭐

⭐This book provides a brief and stark window into James Baldwin’s ability to see and tell the truth about the systemic and structural nature of race and racism. It is incredible how consistent his words remained through out his life from 1961-1987, and how prophetic his vision has turned out to be.

⭐Through four interviews conducted between 1967 and 1987, the book lets us read what Baldwin had to say about race and sexuality, friendship, literature, and politics. His observations and comments are as valid today as they were then.I read this book at the same time as I re-read “Giovanni’s Room, and I would recommend “The Last Interview” as a great companion piece to read with anything he wrote.

⭐This book is an excellent historical keepsake if you interested in socio-political figures that render inner enlightenment livable in a timeless way for persons with social and academic interests of race and sexual issues. Baldwin offers us insights.

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