The Fire Next Time Paperback – December 1, 1992

Must Read for All Americans

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KarenEvans

September 20, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a book to read with a pen! My copy, brand new, and fresh from the mailbox now has underlining everywhere and notes filling the margins. The language is beautiful in this book and there is a lot of wisdom to gather. This is my first James Baldwin and I crave more!

The book consists of two letters, a short one written to a nephew and a longer one written to discuss his thoughts and feelings about race, religion, and life. This is the most beautiful description in the entire book. I cannot possibly think of a more exquisite way to word how James sees his brother and how we often see those we have watched grow up.

"Other people cannot see what I see whenever I look into your father’s face for behind your father’s face as it is today are all those other faces which were his. Let him laugh and I see a cellar your father does not remember and a house he does not remember and I hear in his present laughter his laughter as a child."

Baldwin starts his letter by informing his nephew on how black people can be destroyed if they believe what some white people think about them. He discusses a hidden message telling black people to settle for mediocrity rather than striving for excellence. Baldwin believes that black people need to know their history and where they came from so that there will be “no limit to where you can go.”

"…We, with love, shall force our brothers to see themselves as they are, to cease fleeing from reality and begin to change it."

61 people found this helpful

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Michelle Ryan

Every word rings true.

February 4, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Should be required reading for every American. Rarely have I read words of such clarity, elegance and insight in any subject. That Baldwin was able to write in this way about race is a gift to all who wish to heal our deep national wound. And we should all wish to heal it. Every word rings true.

Baldwin was that rare person who has a deep understanding of the frailty, nobility and beauty of the human soul. His compassion and humanity shines forth through every brilliant word in this powerful book. He wrote from a place few have been able to attain, sharing home truths without harsh cruelty, but with great clarity and authority. Sadly, what he wrote in 1963 in this book applies to this day: We have not yet learned what he was trying so hard to teach us and we have much left to do. Read this book, let its profound lessons guide you deep into self inquiry, so that you too might understand the nature of your soul, and perhaps become a better human being in the process.

15 people found this helpful

A book that is relevant today

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Glynne Gervais

June 20, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Since I have lived through the time when Baldwin wrote this book up to this day , I must say he accurately described the past as well as what has come to be. We as a nation have not solved the problem but we do see the distraction of our moral fabric. In the sixties,we thought the race riots were the fire. Now we see the other end of the rainbow as destruction in our spirit. We black people have learned a lot about ourselves and about how power destroys. Our struggle is to keep our inner spirit.

6 people found this helpful

Breaking and Mending Hearts and Souls

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J. Crown

April 3, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As someone who "grew up" around the world and in the presence of a rainbow of people and cultures and then became a teacher, this book broke my heart while making it whole. I wish in my wildest dreams that this book was mandatory reading for the world. It speaks to more than just for and to the black american community, it speaks to anyone and everyone who is ready to listen. Baldwin's insights and anecdotes provide a steady glow in the readers mind to be fanned with deep thinking and self reflection. He so perfectly captures my many of my own thoughts, feelings, and musings and elucidates them in ways I have never been able to. I wish I wish I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet this incredible man. The introductory letter from his uncle is proof that this beautifully gifting writing courses through the veins of the Baldwin family. I love this book (it is actually two shorter pieces quilted together and it's perfect).

10 people found this helpful

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September 18, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am a huge fan of James Baldwin, this is the third book that I have bought from him. This is by far one of the best books written by him. I am so happy that I chose to buy this book, I do not regret a thing. It truly is astonishing how not much has changed between the races in America since 1963. James Baldwin is such an amazing writer, this book is extremely well written. The use of words in this book are utilized in a way that make you feel as though you are within Baldwin's story. Overall, buy this book if you are interested in learning in the about the history and culture of black individuals during 60s. Also, buy this book if you are interested in reading a quality book with quality writing.

3 people found this helpful

One of my favorite authors

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Most recent customer reviews

E Green

Great read. A lot of his positions remain relevant today. I marvel when I think about the time period in which he wrote books such as this one.Read more

Published 13 days ago

Kurt

Five Stars

Excellent service and great book

Published 17 days ago

shtuppie

when rather it is the love for the Other

Occasionally we find an author who gracefully and indignantly embodies their culture, their race, their upbringing...Read more

Published 22 days ago

Zende L. clark

Timeless!

Unfortunately, the words of Baldwin ring true today. Progress is slow but it must be deliberate. A great read for the hopeful!

Brian

Five Stars

Great book!

purchased for in house library

Cateline Corbin

Five Stars

Mr. Baldwin makes an eloquent and timeless plea to a nation on the brink. Today's racial climate is eerily similar to the period in which Mr. Baldwin penned this essay/book.Read more

Timeless

Excellent book; I love Mr

Kay L.

Excellent book; I love Mr. Baldwin's writing style. This was a very interesting read. The various complexities of Mr.Read more

Read it again and again.
This book is a necessary read - a part of our history. And it's short too!

Kindle Customer

Great