Items related to The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
First published anonymously in 1912, “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” is James Weldon’s Johnson fictional account of a young biracial man living in America during the second half of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century. The so-called “Ex-Colored” man makes his living as a jazz pianist playing ragtime music at a popular New York club. It is here that he catches the attention of a wealthy white gentleman who takes a curious interest in him and employs him to play at his parties. While he becomes friends with the man a feeling of subservience reminiscent of slavery prompts him to part ways. He travels to the south where he intends to work on his music in an attempt to glorify the artistry of his race. After witnessing a terribly horrific lynching he abandons his desire to embrace his black heritage opting instead to “pass” as a white man. “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” masterfully explores the complexity of race relations between whites and blacks in America and the search for racial identity by one of mixed ethnicity. Through the experiences of its unnamed protagonist the issues of class, race, and discrimination are discussed with an openness uncommon to literature of the time, and which would establish it as a pivotal work of the Harlem Renaissance. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover:
One of the most prominent African-Americans of his time, James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a successful lawyer, educator, social reformer, songwriter, and critic. But it was as a poet and novelist that he achieved lasting fame.
Among his most famous works, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man "in many ways parallels Johnson's own remarkable life. First published in 1912, the novel relates, through an anonymous narrator, events in the life of an American of mixed ethnicity whose exceptional abilities and ambiguous appearance allow him unusual social mobility--from the rural South to the urban North and eventually to Europe.
A radical departure from earlier books by black authors, this pioneering work not only probes the psychological aspects of "passing for white" but also examines the American caste and class system. The human drama is powerful and revealing--from the narrator's persistent battles with personal demons to his firsthand observations of a Southern lynching and the mingling of races in New York's bohemian atmosphere at the turn of the century.
Revolutionary for its time, the" Autobiography" remains both an unrivaled example of black expression and a major contribution to American literature.
About the Author:
Among his most famous works, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man "in many ways parallels Johnson's own remarkable life. First published in 1912, the novel relates, through an anonymous narrator, events in the life of an American of mixed ethnicity whose exceptional abilities and ambiguous appearance allow him unusual social mobility--from the rural South to the urban North and eventually to Europe.
A radical departure from earlier books by black authors, this pioneering work not only probes the psychological aspects of "passing for white" but also examines the American caste and class system. The human drama is powerful and revealing--from the narrator's persistent battles with personal demons to his firsthand observations of a Southern lynching and the mingling of races in New York's bohemian atmosphere at the turn of the century.
Revolutionary for its time, the" Autobiography" remains both an unrivaled example of black expression and a major contribution to American literature.
James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a prolific writer and legendary civil rights activist who produced several novels, a pioneering work of cultural history, the first major anthology of black poetry, and numerous treatises on race relations. He served as U.S. consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua and as secretary of the NAACP"."
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDigireads.com
- Publication date2016
- ISBN 10 1420952366
- ISBN 13 9781420952360
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages100
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 9.48
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Seller Image
Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Softcover
Quantity: 5
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 25736229-n
Buy New
US$ 9.48
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (Paperback or Softback)
Published by
Digireads.com 1/30/2016
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Paperback or Softback
Quantity: 5
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man 0.3. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9781420952360
Buy New
US$ 12.13
Convert currency
Seller Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by Johnson, James Weldon [Paperback ]
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Soft Cover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9781420952360
Buy New
US$ 12.13
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2024)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Paperback
Quantity: 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Brand New! This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # 1420952366
Buy New
US$ 13.18
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Paperback
Quantity: 13
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes). Seller Inventory # 002023805N
Buy New
US$ 10.06
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLING22Oct2018170138876
Buy New
US$ 10.29
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an ExColored Man
Print on Demand
Seller:
Rating
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L0-9781420952360
Buy New
US$ 15.74
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition 0.33. Seller Inventory # bk1420952366xvz189zvxnew
Buy New
US$ 18.97
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9781420952360
Buy New
US$ 19.00
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published by
Digireads.com
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1420952366
ISBN 13: 9781420952360
New
Paperback
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Special order direct from the distributor. Seller Inventory # ING9781420952360
Buy New
US$ 10.79
Convert currency