Talk to Me: Travels in Media and Politics [Paperback]

Anna Deavere Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001

Anna Deveare Smith's award-winning one-woman shows were borne of her uniquely brilliant ability to listen. In Talk to Me she applies her rare talent to the language of political power in America.

Believing that character and language are inextricably bound, Smith sets out to discern the essence of America by listening to its people and trying to capture its politics. To that end she travels to some of America's most conspicuous places, like the presidential conventions of 1996, and some of its darkest corners, like a women's prison in Maryland. And along the way she interviews everyone from janitors to murderers to Bill Clinton himself. Memoir, social commentary, meditation on language, this book is as vastly ambitious as it is compellingly unique.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What Smith does with these interviews shows a kind of brilliance that goes straight to the heart."
--Los Angeles Times

"Succeeds in teaching one crucial lesson: those who truly listen, truly hear."
--The New York Times Book Review

"[A] fascinating, hall-of-mirrors meditation."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"[A] book as fascinating for its content as it is beautiful for its poetic form."
--Denver Rocky Mountain News

"[This book] succeeds in teaching one crucial lesson: those who truly listen, truly hear."
--The New York Times Book Review

From the Inside Flap

Anna Deveare Smith's award-winning one-woman shows were borne of her uniquely brilliant ability to listen. In Talk to Me she applies her rare talent to the language of political power in America.

Believing that character and language are inextricably bound, Smith sets out to discern the essence of America by listening to its people and trying to capture its politics. To that end she travels to some of America's most conspicuous places, like the presidential conventions of 1996, and some of its darkest corners, like a women's prison in Maryland. And along the way she interviews everyone from janitors to murderers to Bill Clinton himself. Memoir, social commentary, meditation on language, this book is as vastly ambitious as it is compellingly unique.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385721749
• ISBN-13: 978-0385721745
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great, inspiring read for those interested in politics and art, May 21, 2009

By 

David Lawson (Annandale, VA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talk to Me: Travels in Media and Politics (Paperback)

If you have read (or if you're lucky, seen) any of Anna Deavere Smith's theatre works you know she can use the words of others to inspire and empower. "Talk to Me" shows that Smith can do the same with her own words as well.

In "Talk to Me" Smith tells not only the stories of others, but her own stories as well. From being a kid growing up in segregated Baltimore to a successful theatre artist taking on the task of documenting power and politics in Washington, DC and making many stops around the nation in-between. In her journey Smith is constantly in the middle of political and media-oriented events. Yet as opposed to other books dispatching on politics and media "Talk to Me" tells tales from these arenas through the eyes, and with the voice, of a true artist.

Smith has proven herself to be an original and skilled documentarian of American character in her theatre works. This skill continues through "Talk to Me" as Smith's interview subjects end up spouting off golden bits of wisdom. Among the highlights: Adriana Huffington on the marriage of theatre and politics, George Stephanopoulos on the personal side of the presidency and Studs Terkel on technology and American history.

Anyone fascinated in a fresh perspective on politics, art and the intermingling of the two would be wise to pick up "Talk to Me" by Anna Deavere Smith.

3 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Give me a break!, March 12, 2002

By 

Patricia P. Jennings "scherzo9" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Talk to Me: Travels in Media and Politics (Paperback)

Anna Deavere Smith is a well-educated, well-connected, talented, scholarly African American woman, recipient of many honors, minor movie and television roles, her own one-woman television specials and theatrical performances. The problem with this book is that she NEVER lets us forget how wonderful she is. She is SO impressed with herself that it's amazing to me that she ever got around to interviewing her, uh, subjects. (SHE seems to be the real subject.)

The book is a fairly interesting look at what goes on in Washington political circles, where most of her interviews take place. If you can get past the parties in her honor and all the other self-focused hoo-ha, you might enjoy reading it. Otherwise, find something to read by an African American writer who is a little more scholarly and a little less self-enthralled.