The Langston Hughes Reader [Hardcover]

Langston Hughes (Author)

Book Description

This compilation of the writings of Langston Hughes is drawn from every category of his prodigious literary achievement. It combines highlights of the novels, stories, plays, poems, songs, and essays that have made him famous with many new writings that have never before been published in book form.

Among the new selections are the complete libretto of his popular musical comedy "Simply Heavenly," all of the text of his pageant "The Glory of Negro History," a one-act play "Soul Gone Home," and many other stories, poems, and children's lyrics. There are generous portions of his autobiographies, "The Big Sea" and "I Wonder as I Wander," and of the incomparable Simple trilogy: "Simple Takes a Wife," "Simple Speaks His Mind," and "Simple Stakes a Claim."

Langston Hughes is an unchallenged spokesman of African Americans. With art and wit, he has defined the place of Black Americans in all of the diverse forms of American literary expression. This comprehensive anthology is crowded from cover to cover with the characteristic scenes and sentiments that have established his commanding position in world literature.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 502 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller (July 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807600571
• ISBN-13: 978-0807600573
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Premier Spokesman for a People, May 6, 2000

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Langston Hughes Reader (Hardcover)

No other writer in America has been as "on-the-mark" with the pulse of Black America than Langston Hughes. Sometimes humerous, often touching, but, most often, hard-hitting and reflective, Hughes wrote from his experience as well as the experiences of what it is to be black in America. All of his significant works are here: the "Simple stories," the epic "Montage to a Dream Deferred," poems designed chiefly for children, plus articles and speeches made in his later years.

The book is a must for those who appreciate well-crafted prose and poetry.

Hughes ranks up there with Shakespeare, Hugo, Poe, and others as one of the giants of literature.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Overview of a Great Writer's Work, March 20, 2002

By 

"fdm2061" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Langston Hughes Reader (Hardcover)

This is a great for every reader. It's a book you can and will read from again AND AGAIN. Hughes' diverse body of work is well represented here. The works, like his career, span decades and reflect the passage of time.

The book is full of terrific Hughes pieces. Humor, political commentary, current events. There's something for everybody. Hughes' work is always engaging and always interesting. He deals with questions that remain vibrant today. Even when addressing serious or dark topics, Hughes' intellect, curiosity, and wit bring light to the reader. Buy it now!

4.0 out of 5 stars The Langston Hughes Reader, April 1, 2011

By 

C. R. Hubbard - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Langston Hughes Reader (Hardcover)

The Amazon.com purchase I made with Goodwill of Greater Washington could be described as high on the scale of customer satisfaction. The book arrived almost a month after the purchase, but it was in just printed condtion, with no marks and no wrinkles. Every library should have a copy of The Langston Hughes Reader. I had written a Social Science paper on one of his poems and wanted it for the next paper. In addition I dedicated a Rapper Rhyme Widget based upon his work at [...]. Hope for the best with Goodwill of Greater Washington.