The Cross of Redemption: Uncollected Writings (Vintage International)

You can’t go wrong with reading James Baldwin. He is head and shoulders above any essay writer today. James Baldwin set a high standard for other writers. A great collection from the “Godfather” of writing!

This man is brilliant and incisive. A lot of the essays do have the reoccurring theme of racism and getting real about it. And that would be worthwhile (or better yet compulsory) in itself, but he distills it down to core truth that makes it more about one’s own struggle with their humanity no matter who you are.

This is an essential companion to the collection of Baldwin's essays in the Library of America, which contains none of these works. Three essays in particular would justify the purchase--"As Much Truth As One Can Bear," "The Uses of the Blues," "The White Problem," but all the others as well are important for serious study of Baldwin's corpus. Kenan's introduction is excellent. Disregard reviews elsewhere that dismiss these essays as not Baldwin's greatest hits, but his B sides. Although he does repeat his themes in his essays, he does that as well in his canonical essays contained in the Library of America edition.

I love it. Thanks.

This collection of speeches and essays is a work, like only the best can, lingers and digs itself deeply into your mind long after completing.I was led to this title by Neo Monese via her book club. This was a Baldwin collection I had not read before.This is one of those must own tomes. It calls to be reread and digested and integrated at pace that seems foreign in our world of tech and instant recall. Baldwin is a master wordsmith. He has a power over words that creates layers of subtext and enjoins the listener to actively listen (even as you read the type face.)

A this short volume is reminder of what a fantastic writer Baldwin was and though though this is not his best work it is still a wonderful read.

Bought as a gift for my daughter after seeing the movie - I am not your negroe. She really enjoyed it noting that there were some very good interviews and articles about Baldwin that revealed more about his personality.

Perspective is everything and this book delivers that and more!

As much as James Baldwin is praised, he is still underrated. Such an intelligent, clear, rational thinker, able to not only point out the problems, but offer the solutions.

It's only after watching I'm not Your Negro that I've started reading James Baldwin. This is an impeccable and very enjoyable collection, with an excellent introduction and some brilliant writing: angry, beautiful, witty. Balldwin's thoughts on America (a "sunlit playpen" in denial of its vicious and violent racial inequalities) and on the obligations of the artist in such a society are hugely relevant today. The best book I've read for a very long time!

Excellent book. Powerful and important writing.. Baldwin needs to be even better known in todays world.

A favourite writer whose works I started reading and collecting since the late 50's. Some of the unpublished essays, such as the one on Sakespeare, which I read in 1964 on Shakespeare's fourth centenary, have thoughtful been republished here.