A Langston Hughes Encyclopedia

(Hardback)

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Description

African-American author Langston Hughes was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and interest in his works increases daily. Though remembered primarily as a poet, Hughes was active in almost every genre imaginable. He wrote newspaper articles and short stories, contributed to drama and musical theater, and penned lyrics for the blues and popular songs. He also collaborated with some of the most gifted individuals of his time, including Zora Neale Hurston, Arna Bontemps, Kurt Weill, and Elmer Rice. Through hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries, this encyclopedia provides comprehensive coverage of his life and writings. Although Hughes was remarkably versatile, poetry is indisputably the core of his achievement. Thus, this book includes separate entries for each of his more than 850 published poems and for collections of his poetry. His short stories and songs are also covered in detail. The encyclopedia additionally provides entries for numerous topics related to his life and writings, including Marxism, McCarthyism, Modernism, Jazz, and Religion, and for the many individuals who were associated with his literary career. Most of the entries close with brief bibliographies, and the volume closes with a list of works for further reading.

Reviews

Fascinating and ambitious....A carefully prepared, invaluable aid, highly recommended for students or researchers studying Hughes or American and African American poetry, literature, and literary movements. Thoroughly enjoyable reading.-Choice
Given the attention to factual and critical detail and the broad sweep of this compendium, it is difficult to conceive that any topic germane to a meaningful understanding of Hughes could be lacking from this impressive resource. This book is recommended for all humanities collections.-ARBA online
"Fascinating and ambitious....A carefully prepared, invaluable aid, highly recommended for students or researchers studying Hughes or American and African American poetry, literature, and literary movements. Thoroughly enjoyable reading."-Choice
"Given the attention to factual and critical detail and the broad sweep of this compendium, it is difficult to conceive that any topic germane to a meaningful understanding of Hughes could be lacking from this impressive resource. This book is recommended for all humanities collections."-ARBA online

Author Bio

HANS OSTROM is Professor of English and Co-Director of African-American Studies at the University of Puget Sound. His other books include Langston Hughes: A Study of the Short Fiction (1993), the novel Three to Get Ready (1991), and Lives and Moments: An Introduction to Short Fiction (1990). With Wendy Bishop he edited Genre and Writing: Issues, Arguments, Alternatives (1997).