Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me: The Life of the Legendary Artist and Activist (Adapted for Young Adults)

(Hardback)

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The inspiring life and legacy of vocal artist and civil rights icon Paul Robeson-one of the most important public figures in the twentieth century-adapted for young adults by the acclaimed Robeson biographer

"As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this." -Paul Robeson

Adapted from Martin Duberman's "superb" (New York Times) biography of Paul Robeson, and featuring an introduction by award-winning young adult author Jason Reynolds, along with explanations of key terms and photographs from Robeson's life, this is a thrilling addition to the young adult canon.

Paul Robeson was destined for greatness. The son of an ex-slave who upon his college graduation ranked first in his class, Robeson was proclaimed the future "leader of the colored race in America." Although a graduate of Columbia Law School, he abandoned his law career (and the racism he encountered there) and began a hugely successful career as an internationally celebrated actor and singer. Robeson's triumphs on the stage earned him esteem among white and Black Americans across the country, although his daring and principled activism eventually made him an outcast from the entertainment industry, and his radical views made many consider him a public enemy.

Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Meis an introduction for readers in middle and high school to the inspiring and complicated life of one of America's most fascinating figures, whose story of artistry, heroism, conviction, and conflict is newly relevant today.

Reviews

Praise forPaul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me:
Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, Paul Robeson used his gifted baritone voice not only for concerts and theater around the world but to call out racial injustice in his home country. . . . Duberman balances Robesons tireless civil rights work with his marital troubles and later mental-health problems. Numerous photographs throughout help document Robesons robust life. A powerful tribute to this #BlackLivesMatter predecessor.
Booklist (starred review)

A history of a global luminary figure that serves as a reminder of the courageous freedom-fighting work in front of us.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Although Paul Robesons story is impressive (youll see!) and explains why his name seems to lift off the tongues of all who say it, what his life really serves as is perhaps the greatest reminder of the possibilities of a single person.
Jason Reynolds, from the foreword

Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Meshines a light on one of the giants whom history tried to minimize, and references our current context throughout the book. Duberman makes it clear that Paul Robeson and his story are as relevant and important as ever.
Thomas Nikundiwe, director of the Education for Liberation Network

Paul Robeson is a true hero everyone should learn about and Martin Duberman has done us all a great service by bringing Robesons story to young adult readers. This book should be taught in schools nationwide.
Wayne Au, education professor, co-editor of Teaching for Black Lives and editor of Rethinking Schools magazine

Author Bio

Martin Duberman is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the CUNY Graduate Center, where he founded and for a decade directed the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies. The author of more than twenty books-including Andrea Dworkin, Radical Acts, Waiting to Land, A Saving Remnant, Howard Zinn, The Martin Duberman Reader, and Hold Tight Gently-Duberman has won a Bancroft Prize and been a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in New York City.