Ralph Ellison: Emergence of Genius

by Lawrence P. Jackson

Book Overview

AUTHOR. INTELLECTUAL. SOCIAL CRITIC. ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITERS OF ALL TIME. RALPH ELLISON. Praise for Ralph Ellison Emergence of Genius "Dr. Lawrence Jackson's remarkable biography of Ralph Ellison is an essential contribution to the scholarship on one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. Painstakingly researched and exhaustive, this compelling portrait of Ellison clarifies his genius--and his intellectual era--for a new century."--Charles Johnson, National Book Award Winner and author of Middle Passage "Lawrence Jackson's absorbing biography of Ralph Ellison makes a vital contribution to American literary history."--Ross Posnock, English Department, New York University, Author of Color and Culture: Black Writers and the Making of the Modern Intellectual "Professor Lawrence Jackson's painstaking documentation of Ralph Ellison's early life and the beginning of his literary career provides a much needed resource for Ellison's readers and critics."--Horace Porter, author of Jazz Country: Ralph Ellison in America and Director of African Studies at the University of Iowa "An eloquently written and exquisitely researched biography. There is nothing quite like it. Jackson breathes life into those hidden nooks and crannies of Ellison's youth that would later become cannon fodder for the grown Ellison's explorations. An utterly groundbreaking biography, the idea of Ralph Ellison will never be the same."--Jerry Watts, author of Heroism and the Black Intellectual: Ralph Ellison, Politics, and Afro-American Intellectual Life

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471354147
• ISBN13: 9780471354147
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 498 Pages
• Weight: 2.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A complete Ellison Bio

This biography is a must have for all Ellison fans. I could barely put it down to sleep!

Brilliant!

I loved this bio of Ellison, the first to be published, and its focus on the early years. The writing is top-notch and Jackson has clearly done exhaustive research to uncover an amazing amount of fascinating detail. Belongs in any reader's collection devoted to American and African American literature and history.

Ralph Ellison: Emergence of a Genius

This is the most detailed look at Ellison's life that I've seen. This biography covers his path from poverty in Oklahoma to becoming part of the literary elite in the early 1950's. The author examines Ellison's involvement in the black rights movement and his relationships with Langston Hughes and Richard Wright. From start to finish, this is a fascinating read.