Spook Who Sat by the Door (African American Life Series) (Paperback)

by Sam Greenlee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
An explosive novel which satirizes the civil rights problems in the US in the late 1960s, whilst examining the issue of black miltancy.

From the Publisher
An explosive, award-winning novel in the black literary tradition, "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" is both a satire of the civil rights problems in the United States in the late 1960s and a serious attempt to focus on the issue of black militancy.

Dan Freeman, the "spook who sat by the door," is enlisted in the CIA's elitist espionage program. Upon mastering agency tactics, however, he drops out to train young Chicago blacks as "Freedom Fighters." As a story of one man's reaction to ruling-class hypocrisy, the book is autobiographical and personal. As a tale of a man's reaction to oppression, it is universal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Wayne State University Press (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814322468
• ISBN-13: 978-0814322468
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not all is as it seems to be or up against the wall!, December 16, 2000

By	Donald N. Hilton (Jacksonville, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

I must have read this great book 35 years ago and it still pops up in my memory from time to time. A black man is hired to improve a white politician's image as an "equal opportunity employeer" and the new hire is assigned absolutely nothing to do but sit at his desk by the door and be nothing more than background color for the politician.

Well, the book really takes off when the new hire turns out to have his own agenda going and it involves being a bit more than window dressing for "whitey"

Perhaps we should send a copy of this book to Colin Powell for Christmas.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Kick'n, October 5, 2004

By	Nameskhar (The Bronx, NYC) - See all my reviews

I read this work when first published, loaned it out to a friend & never saw either again. In the mid 80's, I stumbled on to a copy of a video version(!) with a street vender, when I returned with cash payment...[right], he was gone. Finally, I heard an interview with the author on radio: Not one much for fiction, this book is an exception because of its impact upon media stereotype (Africans in the New World etc); However, the interview with Sam Greenley, was key in relation to what happened to many of the people involved with the making of the film: the involvement of the FBI with Hollywood to recoup their investment then confiscate all but two copies! Mr. Greenley became a cab driver (was an educator I believe), actors like Paula Kelly could'nt work in the industry for years.
I recommend this book (screenplay done by author but book is much better)to the USA, for it is classic unspoken Americana, and currently "on stage" elsewhere today.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is totally HOTT!!, July 7, 2004

By	Diana Wilson (sparta, ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spook Who Sat By the Door (Paperback)

I rented the film about 20 years ago and found it to be simple but explosive, thought provoking, and very revolutionary.Then, I read the book and it was totally awesome. I don't usually read fiction, but once I started I could not put it down. The author, Sam Greenlee just had a knack for pulling the reader further into the story line and around each corner the excitement began again. The beginning gives no indication of what the ending has in store. Read it and have fun!!!