Voices and Silences [Paperback]

James Earl Jones (Author), Penelope Niven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

As this book explores the upbringing of James Earl Jones so does it discover his beginnings as an actor. As Jones delves deeply into his memory, so we venture deep into the rural south of his origins and early life, deep into his turbulent family history, and deep into the roles he's played both on the stage and on screens large and small. In the new epilogue that concludes this edition, Jones -now in his seventies- remembers the personal and professional events of the decade since the book's original publication.

Product Details

• Paperback: 421 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879109696
• ISBN-13: 978-0879109691
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 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: #536,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Penelope Niven is the author of critically acclaimed biographies of poet Carl Sandburg and photographer Edward Steichen. Her books include CARL SANDBURG: A BIOGRAPHY; STEICHEN: A BIOGRAPHY; VOICES AND SILENCES, co-authored with the actor James Earl Jones, and praised as a classic on acting; and SWIMMING LESSONS, a memoir. Her Steichen biography has just been translated into Chinese. CARL SANDBURG: ADVENTURES OF A POET, her biography for children, was awarded an International Reading Association Prize "for exceptionally distinguished literature for children," one of six books honored among publications from 99 countries. She is presently working on a biography of Thornton Wilder, to be published in October 2012 by HarperCollins.

She has been awarded two honorary doctorates, three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Thornton Wilder Visiting Fellowship at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, among other honors. She received the North Carolina Award in Literature, the highest honor the state bestows on an author. During the past twenty years she has lectured across the United States and in Switzerland, Canada and Wales, and has served as an editor for various publications and a consultant for television films on Sandburg, Jones, and Steichen. She has recently retired after twelve years as Writer-in-Residence at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Penelope Niven is the mother of award-winning author Jennifer Niven (THE ICE MASTER; ADA BLACKJACK: A TRUE STORY OF SURVIVAL IN THE ARCTIC; VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE; THE AQUA-NET DIARIES; and VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Alright, August 31, 2009

By 

Stephen T. Shore (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voices and Silences (Paperback)

I order 14 books on the same day from different sellers and the book from this seller took the longest time in getting here. It came in great condition.

5.0 out of 5 stars Voices & Silences, January 26, 2009

By 

Gregory P. Snider - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Voices and Silences (Paperback)

I found this autobiography very deep, open & moving. I have recommended it to a lot of people. It shows how James Earl Jones was not limited by his circumstances. I'm thankful I was able to learn about the character of this man known to so many for his rich deep voice.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story, a MUST READ!!!, January 19, 2009

By 

Pug Mommy (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices and Silences (Paperback)

I was so touched and amazed by the story of James Earl Jones' life. He is an amazing actor who has overcome many obstacles on his journey to success. This book was truly inspiring!