Simple's Uncle Sam: With a New Introduction by Akiba Sullivan Harper [Paperback]

Langston Hughes (Author), Akiba Sullivan Harper (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0809086816 | ISBN-13: 978-0809086818 | Edition: Revised

Langston Hughes's most beloved character comes back to life in this extraordinary collection

Langston Hughes is best known as a poet, but he was also a prolific writer of theater, autobiography, and fiction. None of his creations won the hearts and minds of his readers as did Jesse B. Semple, better known as "Simple." Simple speaks as an Everyman for African Americans in Uncle Sam's America. With great wit, he expounds on topics as varied as women, Gospel music, and sports heroes--but always keeps one foot planted in the realm of politics and race. In recent years, readers have been able to appreciate Simple's situational humor as well as his poignant questions about social injustice in The Best of Simple and The Return of Simple. Now they can, once again, enjoy the last of Hughes's original Simple books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you haven't yet made Simple's acquaintance, I recommend that you do so through the medium of Simple's Uncle Sam. It is delightful reading."--Robert Cromie, Chicago Tribune

"Mr. Hughes' Simple has delighted one generation and is now delighting another."--The New York Times

"This book is loaded with chuckles--and with thought."--The Los Angeles Herald Examiner

About the Author

Langston Hughes (1902-67) was born in Joplin, Missouri, and long resided in New York City's Harlem.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hill and Wang; Revised edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809086816
• ISBN-13: 978-0809086818
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,178,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Langston Hughes gets 5 stars for this!!, October 29, 2000

By 

Alex (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simple's Uncle Sam: With a New Introduction by Akiba Sullivan Harper (Paperback)

The life of poverty and discrimination is all about Simple, the character in Simple's Uncle Sam. He goes through everything and tells about it in his short stories. From his ideas for a Negro President to his ideas for an ugly contest instead of a beauty contest, this man's mind comes alive with explicit detail, description, and opinion.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple's Uncle Sam, August 15, 2010

By 

Dr. P. Yvonne Heaston - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simple's Uncle Sam: With a New Introduction by Akiba Sullivan Harper (Paperback)

This book, containing stories written by Langston Hughes, is not as well known as some of his other "Simple" stories that were compiled from the column he wrote for the Chicago Defender. I was very pleased to be able to discover this collection, and to receive it promptly after ordering it from Amazon.com.

Dr. Patricia Heaston