The definitive biography of the groundbreaking African American author who had an extraordinary legacy on black writers globally.Chester B. Himes has been called “one of the towering figures of the black literary tradition†(Henry Louis Gates Jr.); “the best writer of mayhem yarns since Raymond Chandler†(San Francisco Chronicle); and “a quirky American genius†(Walter Mosely). He was the twentieth century’s most prolific black writer; captured the spirit of his times expertly; and left a distinctive mark on American literature. Yet today he stands largely forgotten.In this definitive biography of Chester B. Himes (1909–1984); Lawrence P. Jackson uses exclusive interviews and unrestricted access to Himes’s full archives to portray a controversial American writer whose novels unflinchingly confront sex; racism; and black identity. Himes brutally rendered racial politics in the best-selling novel If He Hollers Let Him Go; but he became famous for his Harlem detective series; including Cotton Comes to Harlem. A serious literary tastemaker in his day; Himes had friendships―sometimes uneasy―with such luminaries as Ralph Ellison; Carl Van Vechten; and Richard Wright.Jackson’s scholarship and astute commentary illuminates Himes’s improbable life―his middle-class origins; his eight years in prison; his painful odyssey as a black World War II–era artist; and his escape to Europe for success. More than ten years in the writing; Jackson’s biography restores the legacy of a fascinating maverick caught between his aspirations for commercial success and his disturbing; vivid portraits of the United States. 20 illustrations
#372893 in Books 1986-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 #File Name: 0393022811576 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Mr Gates ulcerBy RayNot quite read the whole thing; but; as one who has read almost every other English language account of the 'Peninsular War' it has confirmed my pre-conceived opinion as to its contents.A very brief set of accounts that have emphasized the many parts played by the peoples that occupied that peninsula; the Spanish and the Portuguese of course.Mr Gates is very strong on adjectives but rather weak on facts when one considers how very many 'histories' are available to be used for getting at these facts.Once read completely I may return but there you are; the resident populations had many historians of their own who were not slow to go into print.This quick account adds little if anything but at least sits there.....make of it what you will!Ray Foster15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A stunning work of Military HistoryBy SailoilMost military history books quickly become embedded in politics and economics; and in the process fail to complete their analysis of the military aspects of the history.In this book Gates has maintained his focus all the way through the book; on the Military campaigns. Any politics or economics are introduced only to explain logistical difficulties or broad trends in strategic direction.In most English focused histories Wellington is portrayed as some kind of superman who went out to Spain and roundly defeated one French army after another. Gates shows how far this is from the actual truth. He highlights the crucial role played by Peninsular forces; who fielded one army after another to keep the French busy. He demonstrates how the partisan guerilla war prevented the French from concentrating against Wellington to drive him out.At the same time he demonstrates just why Wellington was the greatest soldier of his age. How he used intelligence and patience as his weapons. How he always selected his preferred battleground to gain maximum advantage against the French; who were after all; masterful foes. Wellington was the master of Soult; Ney and Massena; but not by much. He admitted that he would have lost if Napolean had been there himself.Gates lavishes praise on the abilities of the French to survive in the harsh environment of the Peninsula; and at the same time extolls the mastery of the British use of naval support to outflank their gallic rivals.From an Irish perspective it is interesting to note the large number of Irish named Generals fighting for the Spanish; the English and the French. Blake; Clarke; O'Donnell; Lacy and O'Neill to name only a few.If I had any criticism of this book it would be on the way maps are presented. You always have to check which way is north. I prefer when North is the top of the page! Otherwise the large numbers of maps of all scales are a very useful tool in interpretation of the movements in the battles.Gates is also helpful in giving the reader a brief introduction to the tactics of Napoleonic armies; explaining the purpose of line; column and square; the flanking manoevre; use of the reverse slope; the use of Cavalry V Infantry etc. A really wonderful book!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. For academics; military and war gamers; not for the casual readerBy William S. GrassGates' Spanish Ulcer is a one-volume history of the Peninsular War waged by France in Spain from 1808-1814. It covers all operations in this complicated conflict and contains a map every three or four pages. There is plenty here for the academic doing research; the professional military person learning the origins of guerilla; or 4th generation warfare; or the war gamer who wants to know the terrain and order of battle for a particular engagement. For the casual reader such as myself; however; the narrative is too dense and the descriptions of operations too detailed. I would have personally preferred an account that either focuses biographically on Wellington or the French marshals; or gives a smoother narrative of developments. Such was not Gates' goal; so I won't subtract any stars just because I chose the wrong book on the Peninsular War for myself. The Spanish Ulcer certainly deserves five stars for hitting the mark for those more specialized purposes.
