Damn Rare: The Memoirs of an African-American Bibliophile [Hardcover]

Charles L. Blockson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1892697009 | ISBN-13: 978-1892697004 | Publication Date: October 1998

The subtitle of the book: The Memoirs of an African-American Bibliophile, is like a sign that warns to be prepared for the unexpected. The three hundred and fifty-two pages book is more than a memoir. It is an authoritative panoramic story of an African-American man growning up in America. Nearly every aspect of African-American life is covered that also include "the numbers," and superstition. "...everybody played the numbers including some ministers...The numbers racket was as popular in many communities as lotteries are today, and it was more profitable for black people." Those who buy the book will also meet and come to know major personalities in his life: W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Alex Haley, Alice Walker, and many other personalities known and unknown. The dynamics of Mr. Blockson's story hinges on an uncommon look into an African-American bibliophile's life.

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About the Author

He is acknowledged as America's foremost collector of African-American culture. In 1984, he donated his vast collection of nearly 20,000 items to Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the author of 12 books. Presently, he is a curator at Temple University, and he has received several honorary doctors.

In his younger years he was one of Penn State's star football player along with Rosie Gear, and Jim Brown. He is President Clinton's advisory Chairman of the National Park Service Underground Railroad Advisory Committee

Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Temple Univ Charles L Blockson Afro (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892697009
• ISBN-13: 978-1892697004
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,891,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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