Description
Book SynopsisThe Evidence of Things Not Said employs the rich essays of James Baldwin to interrogate the politics of race in American democracy. Lawrie Balfour advances the political discussion of Baldwin's work, and regards him as a powerful political thinker...
Trade ReviewIn asking political theorists and literary critics alike to read Baldwin as a political analyst, The Evidence of Things Not Said usefully holds a mirror to our methodologies and to their relation to racial injustice itself.
-- Priscilla Wald * The Review of Politics *
This examination of James Baldwin's essays explores his contribution to political theory.... The book concludes with a discussion of Baldwin's complicated relation with language and a consideration of his significance in the political landscape of the 21st century.
* Journal of Social Work Education *
This sensitive, superbly written book teaches that social criticism must make people face their deepest fears and renounce comfort and security as selfish illusions.
* American Political Science Review *
A worthy reexamination of the works of a powerful writer.
-- Vanessa Bush * Booklist *
Balfour focuses on Baldwin's essays... with the acknowledged intent of tracing the trajectory of continuity throughout.... The first chapter serves as a lengthy background.... Subsequent chapters... offer new critical insights and approaches to Baldwin's essays, a genre that many critics have labeled his best and most significant writing.
* Choice *
Balfour... has written an unusual, complex analysis of novelist and essayist James Baldwin (1924-87) as a political theorist.... Intriguing.
* Library Journal *
Table of ContentsSpeaking of race; "a most disagreeable mirror"; blessed are the victims?; presumptions of innocence; the living word; Baldwin and the search for a majority.
