The Poems: 1941-1950 (Collected Works of Langston Hughes, Vol 2) [Hardcover]

Langston Hughes (Author), Arnold Rampersad (Editor, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2001 | Series: COLLECTED WORK LANGSTON HUGHES (Book 2)

Volume 2 includes the books Shakespeare in Harlem (1942), Jim Crow's Last Stand (1943), Fields of Wonder (1947), and One-Way Ticket (1949). Starting around 1940, Hughes turned away from radical socialism toward strong support for the national war effort; as a poet, he resumed his experimentation in the blues, as Shakespeare in Harlem brilliantly demonstrates. With this change in political emphasis came a renewed commitment to the achievement of civil rights for blacks, which Jim Crow's Last Stand vigorously asserts. In contrast, Fields of Wonder was Hughes's only book devoted almost entirely to lyric verse; but the next volume, One-Way Ticket, restored the balance that was essential to his creative expression as a poet.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Langston Hughes is a titanic figure in 20th- century American literature . . . a powerful interpreter of the American experience. . . . His poems are as vital as ever."—Philadelphia Inquirer

"[Hughes's] poetry has a pulse, a beauty and familiar kindness. . . . Much of it delights, even dazzles. His best work sticks with you--forever."—Cleveland Plain Dealer

About the Author

About the Editor

Arnold Rampersad is Professor of English at Stanford University in California. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous publications, including The Life of Langston Hughes, Jackie Robinson: A Biography, and, with Arthur Ashe, Days of Grace: A Memoir.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: University of Missouri; 1 edition (June 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826213405
• ISBN-13: 978-0826213402
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars cultural insight, July 12, 2008

By 

James Walker "uncle jamie" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Poems: 1921-1940 (The Collected Works of Langston Hughes, Vol 1) (Hardcover)

Excellent view of an emerging modernist culture in a time when little has been shared generally with the mainstream American history instruction in schools.

Uplifting and provocative in a positive way. For a whitebread middleclass American, I found this refreshing when compared to the mudslinging of the divisionist politics currently going on in the Presidential election.

Each culture has unique views and gifts to share, this was an enlightening view of the Black Culture I had not seen before. Rapping and Krumping glorify the street, these writings glorify the inner soul.

I am ordering Volume 2