The Harlem Renaissance (African-American Achievers) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Josh Wilker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?A concise overview of a unique and important era. Brief chapters address the rise of Harlem as an enclave of African-American culture; the lives and talents of the various artists who lived and created there; patrons of the Harlem Renaissance; the special role women played in it; the differing social, artistic, and political philosophies of the artists; and the eventual demise of the movement. The text is generously interspersed with interesting and informative black-and-white photographs; a full-color, eight-page centerfold of period artwork adds appeal. Source notes are not included. Although well written and appealing, the book does not measure up to James Haskins's The Harlem Renaissance (Millbrook, 1996), which is outstanding because of its generous use of quotes from primary sources and its lavish presentation.?Marilyn Heath, Greenwood High School, SC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-12. Part of the African-American Achievers series, like De Angelis' Black Cowboys on p.1002, this sophisticated, in-depth history discusses how Harlem became the center of a great 1920s black cultural revolution that enriched the nation. Chambers weaves together accounts of the leading artists, writers, musicians, and intellectuals--Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, James van der Zee, and many more--with an overview of the social and political forces of the time. Her approach is celebratory, but she also analyzes the bitter conflicts within the African American artistic community, as well as the influence, good and bad, of the whites who helped make Harlem popular. The writing style is sometimes flat, but Chambers is at her best in talking about individual works of art from a social and an aesthetic point of view. There are interesting black-and-white photos throughout as well as a small central insert with full-color art and fascinating commentary. Quotes are carefully attributed, and there's a bibliography but no footnotes. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791025985
• ISBN-13: 978-0791025987
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,030,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Renaissance, March 11, 2009

By	maril "maril" (rhode island) - See all my reviews

A good, but very general overview, of the Harlem Renaissance. There are lots of facts and photos and it would be a very useful introductory text for high school students. It is minimally useful as an adult introduction to the subject. There are far more useful and substantive texts available.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book it showed the black peoples accomplishment, October 30, 1998

By A Customer

The Harlem Renaissance (African American Achievers) was a superb book. And Ms. Chambers is one of the many a people who have succeded in capturing the African Americans experiance. When I first started reading the intro immediatly captured my attention and, the preceding words held it. Again I stress that this novel is a superb one.Veronica Chambers should be comended. *****a book fanatic