I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey (American Century) [Paperback]

Langston Hughes (Author), Arnold Rampersad (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: American Century | Publication Date: August 1, 1993

In I Wonder as I Wander, Langston Hughes vividly recalls the most dramatic and intimate moments of his life in the turbulent 1930s.

His wanderlust leads him to Cuba, Haiti, Russia, Soviet Central Asia, Japan, Spain (during its Civil War), through dictatorships, wars, revolutions. He meets and brings to life the famous and the humble, from Arthur Koestler to Emma, the Black Mammy of Moscow. It is the continuously amusing, wise revelation of an American writer journeying around the often strange and always exciting world he loves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Big Sea and I Wonder as I Wander are among the wisest, warmest and most informative books to issue from Langston's pen, and by that to say from the Renaissance or any other literary movement."--Amiri Baraka

"An immensely interesting book."--The New Yorker

About the Author

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, went to Cleveland, Ohio, lived for a number of years in Chicago, and long resided in New York City's Harlem. He graduated from Lincoln University in 1929 and was awarded an honorary Litt. D. in 1943. He was perhaps best known as a poet and the creator of Simple, but he also wrote novels, biography, history, plays (several of them Broadway hits), and children's books, and he edited several anthologies. Mr. Hughes died in 1967.

Arnold Rampersad, author of the widely acclaimed biography The Life of Langston Hughes, is Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature and director of American Studies at Princeton University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Hill and Wang (August 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809015501
• ISBN-13: 978-0809015504
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this should be on required reading lists everywhere!!, September 18, 2001

By 

"austengirl" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey (American Century) (Paperback)

As the sequel to "The Big Sea", Mr.Hughes again speaks the language of a poet so well that he makes the reading of his life seem like a first-person experience. After his travels on several ships and the taste of his first successes(and failures), he simply explores and writes: of Paris, Russia, and Cuba, and shares his experiences with the reader. His writing is so rich and vivid that he makes every location in the world seem like poetry in motion. This book and "The Big Sea" should definitely be on reading lists everywhere-or, if you have a friend or relative who feels like they're a "wandering spirit", these books would make great gifts. Mr.Hughes touches on everything human: from the strained relationship with his father to the blatant racism he encounters everyday; to the women he becomes fond of and his neverending thirst for experience and knowledge; to the countless sights of wonder in the world that one never sees when they are ignorant. Beautiful writing by a true poet.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars food for your soul, September 6, 2008

By 

sugar cane - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey (American Century) (Paperback)

Mr. Hughes brings a zen like quality to his stories regarding his life and what he was forced to endure. He persevered, triumphed and soared. If you want to feel at peace with yourself this is a book to help you get there. Mr. Hughes is a role model that we should be glad we have. a gracious kind compassionate human. imho ;>)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A travel journey, April 8, 2008

By 

William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey (American Century) (Paperback)

Mr. Hughes, in my opinion, is the best African American writer, whom describes the life as a balck man traveling throughout the world. This book is poignant and evokes a sense constant despair and the writer confronts different predjudice throughout the world.