Reviews

• Professor Jeffery Stewart's biography of Alain Locke is beyond Magnificent!

  Professor Jeffery Stewart (Head of Black Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara), has given the world a gift. In "THE NEW NEGRO: THE LIFE OF ALAIN LOCKE", Stewart has produce one of the finest works of biography and intellectual history in recent years. There are certain biographies (such as Ray Monk's "Duty of Genius" or Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs"), that breaks down as it renews; touching something in the culture and the reader. Stewart's biography of Locke is that and more. First, the geographical sweep is epic, in the sense that it flows from a sleepy middle class street in Philadelphia to the tomb of King Tut, to familiarity with 'off-the-beaten-path' islets in the Italian riviera. The biography as travel writing and experience. Second, is the thematic arc: running as it does - like a river overflowing its banks - with new knowledge; things unknown, known and yet to be known. Stewart does not merely touch, but handles every aspect of Locke's vast and teeming, interior, intellectual and social life in a knowing and delicate manner. The writing is elegant and light, yet sears the vibrant life and ideas of Locke on the mind with such force of enlightenment as to have renewed what once was well-known. I am a scholar and encyclopaedist of the works of Countee Cullen, for instance. In Professor Stewart's hands, I have come to see an entire range of Cullen's influences, no longer merely as a mentee of Alain Locke's, but in a relationship of sliding and eliding contradictions, that, that crossed from the intellectual, to the intimate to the platonic with a consummate ease and sophistication, reflective of the intrigues of the royal court of Queen Victoria, with decidedly greater charm and more meaningful artistic production. Third are the general ideas that were the fuel for Locke's world; from his intellectual development at the prestigious Central High School in Philadelphia near the turn of the 19th century, to his studies at Harvard (where he wrote two essays, one on Dunbar and another on Tennyson, both worth reading), to his Rhodes Scholarship and Oxford escapades, where like another genius of our time the late Christopher Hitchens, Locke did not obtain his degree. However, he wrote a paper on "The Concept of Value" - the philosophical pedigree and significance of which, Stewart explains with insightful aplomb. Locke advanced to Harvard for his PhD leveraging the same notions in Concept of Value, which lead to a comprehensive rethinking of the meaning of the life of the Negro in America and his connection to Africa and world history. This breadth of reference required an understanding of Western aestheticism, how it drew from and overlayed African or colonial art production, even the ancient art of Africa; which once such overlays of cultural encrustations were removed, Stewart weaves together the teaching insight of the varieties of meanings such discoveries could possess for Locke as for the reader. The entire book is a masterful economy of explanatory prose, and details that rise upon the understanding like geospheric Sunlight, warming and inviting, leaving the reader lost only to the outside world, substituted for the world of the book, feeling every breathtaking step together with Locke himself. Chapters 24-25-26-&-27 were the heart of the book for me; largely because I write in these areas. Here a good scholar would have found it difficult to keep events, ideas, concepts and personalities straight. Here Stewart never misses a step and show an attention to detail, without ever becoming overbearing that seems to me of the rarest scholarly skill and quality. The issue was the apotheosis of Locke's concept of the "NEW NEGRO". Stewart lays out and analyses the philosophical foundation, in the historical context, situated in the day processes of Locke's life and concerns. He gives a full account of the practical mechanisms for rolling out the grand thesis of the New Negro, and the infested cultural politics, personalities, dependent loyalties and attendant social quixotica that prickled through Locke's every endeavour. Finally, whilst I shall leave the drama in the book - for drama there is on every page - for the reader to encounter, I will say that Locke's achievements -personal and professional - in defining, presenting and advancing Negro humanity, and Stewart's rendering of the same, are not merely outstanding and has not been most nearly matched in philosophical foundation or practical scale, save in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, and to a lesser extent, Paul Roberson (on whom Stewart has also written), and Malcolm X. This is work which we do not see the likes of today. (except in the work of Mr. Bryan Stevenson). Professor Jeffrey Stewart is not merely a Historian, he is a curator and collector of art and an expert on Jazz. In the New Negro, The Life of Alain Locke, Professor Stewart has taken us all to class on the meaning of the Negro in America and the world, on the Negro's cultivation of and demand for a meaningful agency, by and through which he or she may stake a claim upon their human value, metastasised through an evolving culture, against a vale of historical racial animus, that leaves such a question still in search of answers. Professor Gilbert NMO Morris

• Excellent Both Standing on Its Own, As Well As A Basis For Further Study

  This is a very detailed and lengthy biography of an African American Intellectual of The early twentieth century. It s overflowing with information on Alain Locke, and also additional historical figures of the time, including numerous African Americans who are now somewhat forgotten. There are also lengthy relaxant digressions into discussions of philosophy and other such subjects. I felt the work is superb and one of the best biographies that I have ever read. Neither I or the author are suggesting this is a faultless person. There are many troubling aspects of this person’s life. The author does not spare us. I am glad that he did not. The author gave me a lot to think about. As a student of African American History I have long been fascinated by the subject of the so called “Harlem Renaissance”. Alain Locke was a central character in this movement. This is easily the most detailed work I have ever read which includes much information about The Harlem Renaissance. I took many notes and looked up many individuals and works of art and literature. This has added greatly to the time of study of this lengthy biography. I have no doubt an entire college course could be built around this biography. On the other hand, I have read a lot of writings by African American Intellectual Contemporaries of Aline Locke. These include but are not limited to, Booker T, Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, and James Weldon Johnson. I cannot recall a single reference of them to Alain Locke. One of my favorite autobiographies that I have ever read is by James Weldon Johnson. I have a vintage copy that I treasure. It has an extensive index at the end. Alain Locke’s name does not appear. In summary I completely enjoyed this biography. I have spent approximately two months reading and studying this biography and continue. Thank You for taking the time to read the review.

• EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT AN UNDER-RECOGNIZED LEADER OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE.

  Alain Locke is a majestic figure in 20th Century Black American history who hasn't been given the credit he deserves. This biography of him absolutely deserved the Pulitzer Prize it won. It's long, very detailed, and consistently interesting and eye-opening. Locke was small, Black, gay, eccentric and brilliant. His story is a must-read.

• A lengthy but valuable read.

  First, before I begin the substance of this review let me explain my 4 star rating. The 4 star instead of 5 star rating is purely a reflection of the length of this book. At 944 pages the book is extremely well researched and very well written, but is, in my opinion, entirely too long. It is my opinion that Stewart on multiple occasions could have made the point he was seeking to make in a more succinct manner. The details are fascinating, but just too much in many places. As to the book and its subject. This is truly an excellent biography of a man that even in literary and arts circles is largely unknown. The quotation above from Stewart describing Locke is quite likely the most accurate description as to why a man with so much influence is so unrecognizable today. He was a man who touched an indescribable and unimaginable amount of people and activities in his life and yet was not fully committed to any one thing or person in such a way as to define a legacy. There is no way to summarize a book of this length in a short review. However, as just a sampling of the life of Alain Locke this is a African American man who attended Harvard not once but twice receiving a PhD in philosophy, attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, traveled countless times to Europe, was involved in the excavation of King Tut's tomb, was a father of the Harlem Renaissance, was a renowned art critic, and the list goes on. The people he was personally involved with both in relationships and as a mentor is impressive as well: Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B Dubois, Ralphe Bunche, etc.. As I was reading this book I could not help but wonder how one man could have all the experiences he did. And yet, he was never able to accomplish a feeling of success or security in his life, either professionally or personally. That is the ultimate idea behind this book for me. Yes, on the outside he was involved in shaping the African American world of the 1920's and 1930's but on the inside he was devoid of all that he desired. The book is long but it is definitive and well written. If you enjoy well researched biographies this is certainly a book that is well worth the read.

• Wonderful

  This is one of the best works of non-fiction that I have read in a long time. In addition to educating me on aspects of US racial history that I did not know the author presents a sympathetic yet critical portrait of a tragic figure in US history. Locke's vision for America in general and for African-Americans in particular could have, if followed by his fellow Americans - black and white - changed the nature of America and saved it from so much horror.

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