SKU: 41685636876

Notes of a Native Son

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Notes of a Native Son#26 on The Guardian's list of 100 best nonfiction books of all time, the essays explore what it means to be Black in America In an age of Black Lives Matter, James Baldwin's essays on life in Harlem, the protest novel, movies, and African Americans abroad are as powerful today as when they were first written. With films like I Am Not Your Negro and the forthcoming If Beale Street Could Talk bringing renewed interest to Baldwin's life and work, Notes

#26 on The Guardian's list of 100 best nonfiction books of all time, the essays explore what it means to be Black in America

In an age of Black Lives Matter, James Baldwin's essays on life in Harlem, the protest novel, movies, and African Americans abroad are as powerful today as when they were first written. With films like I Am Not Your Negro and the forthcoming If Beale Street Could Talk bringing renewed interest to Baldwin's life and work, Notes of a Native Son serves as a valuable introduction.

Written during the 1940s and early 1950s, when Baldwin was only in his twenties, the essays collected in Notes of a Native Son capture a view of black life and black thought at the dawn of the civil rights movement and as the movement slowly gained strength through the words of one of the most captivating essayists and foremost intellectuals of that era. Writing as an artist, activist, and social critic, Baldwin probes the complex condition of being black in America. With a keen eye, he examines everything from the significance of the protest novel to the motives and circumstances of the many black expatriates of the time, from his home in "The Harlem Ghetto" to a sobering "Journey to Atlanta."

Notes of a Native Son inaugurated Baldwin as one of the leading interpreters of the dramatic social changes erupting in the United States in the twentieth century, and many of his observations have proven almost prophetic. His criticism on topics such as the paternalism of white progressives or on his own friend Richard Wright's work is pointed and unabashed. He was also one of the few writing on race at the time who addressed the issue with a powerful mixture of outrage at the gross physical and political violence against black citizens and measured understanding of their oppressors, which helped awaken a white audience to the injustices under their noses. Naturally, this combination of brazen criticism and unconventional empathy for white readers won Baldwin as much condemnation as praise.

Notes is the book that established Baldwin's voice as a social critic, and it remains one of his most admired works. The essays collected here create a cohesive sketch of black America and reveal an intimate portrait of Baldwin's own search for identity as an artist, as a black man, and as an American.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Beacon Press
Published: 11/20/2012
ISBN: 9780807006238
Pages: 179
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.60d
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SKU: 41685636876

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Daniel A.
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Super cute
Format: Board book
Adorable read. Kiddos loves to read this with dad on the regular.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
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Carlos & Leanne Herrera
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great book for baby.
Format: Board book
This is an adorable book. I bought it for my grandbaby to give to her daddy for his 1st Father's Day. He loved it also. It really makes a great gift and the children love it.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2025
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Tara S Taylor
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Cutest little story!
Format: Board book
I just got this for my son and his Daddy. The story is so cute and I may have gotten choked up at the end. If you’re looking for a story for your man to read to your little one(s), I highly recommend this one!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
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Jessie K
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Lovely, adorable & well-written - perfect, "daddy" book!
Format: Board book
I bought this book for my son (and maybe a little for my husband lol) when I realized he had 3 "mommy-centered" books, but none for daddy. I wanted one with quality artwork that also had a more tender and meaningful approach, rather than just silly, one that could foster appreciation of my husband and how much he loves my son. I had a difficult time narrowing down which book to get, but I am SO very glad that this is the one I went with. The pictures are adorable, the rhythm & rhyming are very well done and flow well, and the message of the book is exactly what I was hoping for, showing how daddy helps baby learn and grow and how much they love each other. My son loves it!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
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Cilla G
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute book
Format: Board book
My son loves this book. We read it every evening before bed.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2026

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