Langston Hughes: A Biography

(Hardback)

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Description

This biography traces Hughes' life and artistic development, from his early years of isolation, which fostered his fierce independence, to his prolific life as a poet, playwright, lyricist, and journalist. Hughes' inspiring story is told through 21 engaging chapters, each providing a fascinating vignette of the artistic, personal, and political associations that shaped his life. Recounted are the pivotal developments in his literary career, with all its struggles and rewards, as well as his travel adventures to Africa, Europe, and Asia, and his political commitments to fight fascism as well as racism. Langston Hughes was raised by a grandmother who actively aided the Underground Railroad, and his first forays into poetry reflected personal tales of slavery and heroism. Through his poetry, Hughes lived up to a proud tradition and continued the uplifting legacy of his race. He was a renaissance man in nearly every aspect of his life, and his name has become synonymous with the Harlem Renaissance movement he helped launch. This biography traces Hughes' life and artistic development, from his early years of isolation, which fostered his fierce independence, to his prolific life as a poet, playwright, lyricist, and journalist. Hughes' inspiring story is told through 21 engaging chapters, each providing a fascinating vignette of the artistic, personal, and political associations that shaped his life. Recounted are the pivotal developments in his literary career, with all its struggles and rewards, as well as his travel adventures to Africa, Europe, and Asia, and his political commitments to fight fascism as well as racism. A timeline, a selected bibliography of biographical and critical sources, and a complete list of Hughes' writings complete the volume.

Reviews

"Lucidly written and solidly researched, it achieves its expressed purposes and will be a useful tool for high school students and faculty for many years to come....[a] solid achievement. It will be of considerable use not only to high school students and teachers but also to general readers interested in deepening their knowledge of a major African American writer."-African American Review
[S]tudents will surely use this booik for research reports, those with particular interest in the subject will find excellent resources for further study.-VOYA
Author Laurie Leach provides a thorough disclosure of Langston Hughes' life from his tumultuous relationship with his father, various patrons, and romantic associations to his desire for recognition as an accomplished African-American literary artist....This book would be a welcome addition to a high school library with a collection of in-depth biographies on literary artists. Recommended.-Library Media Connection
Lucidly written and solidly researched, it achieves its expressed purposes and will be a useful tool for high school students and faculty for many years to come....[a] solid achievement. It will be of considerable use not only to high school students and teachers but also to general readers interested in deepening their knowledge of a major African American writer.-African American Review
The book is accessible to students in high school and up.-Book News
"Students will surely use this booik for research reports, those with particular interest in the subject will find excellent resources for further study."-VOYA
"[S]tudents will surely use this booik for research reports, those with particular interest in the subject will find excellent resources for further study."-VOYA
"The book is accessible to students in high school and up."-Book News
"Author Laurie Leach provides a thorough disclosure of Langston Hughes' life from his tumultuous relationship with his father, various patrons, and romantic associations to his desire for recognition as an accomplished African-American literary artist....This book would be a welcome addition to a high school library with a collection of in-depth biographies on literary artists. Recommended."-Library Media Connection

Author Bio

LAURIE F. LEACH is Associate Professor of English at Hawaii Pacific University.