Description

Book Synopsis

Examines the use of Africa as a figure in the Harlem Renaissance and looks at the place of that movement within a wider Black modernism

Trade Review

“Louis Chude-Sokei’s innovative study not only brings overdue attention to Bert Williams. It deepens our understanding of black modernity and redirects the study of minstrelsy as well. A rich, wide-ranging book, it is filled with resonant insights and brilliant collocations.”—Nathaniel Mackey, author of Paracritical Hinge
“With theoretical verve and archival aplomb, Louis Chude-Sokei explores an open secret that we too often have preferred to ignore: the central role of black minstrelsy in the origins of the Harlem Renaissance. Starting with the simple fact of Bert Williams’s Caribbean origins, he finds the multiple layers of masquerade in any performance of ‘race.’ A timely, often profound portrait of the dynamics of intraracial difference in diaspora.”—Brent Hayes Edwards, author of The Practice of Diaspora

Table of Contents

Introduction 1
1. Black Minstrel, Black Modernism 17
2. Migrations of a Mask 46
3. Theorizing Black-on-Black Cross-Culturality 82
4. The Global Economy of Minstrelsy 114
5. In Dahomy 161
6. Claude McKay’s Calypso 207
Notes 249
Bibliography 263
Index 272

The Last Darky

    Product form

    A Paperback by Louis Chude–sokei

    £25.19

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £27.99 – you save £2.80 (10%)

    Order before 4pm on Monday for delivery by Wed 2 Dec 2026.

    3 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Last Darky by Louis Chude–sokei

      Book details

      Publisher Duke University Press
      Published 16 January 2006
      ISBN-13 9780822336433
      978-0822336433
      ISBN-10 082233643X
      Also in:
      Ethnic studies / Ethnicity

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Examines the use of Africa as a figure in the Harlem Renaissance and looks at the place of that movement within a wider Black modernism

      Trade Review

      “Louis Chude-Sokei’s innovative study not only brings overdue attention to Bert Williams. It deepens our understanding of black modernity and redirects the study of minstrelsy as well. A rich, wide-ranging book, it is filled with resonant insights and brilliant collocations.”—Nathaniel Mackey, author of Paracritical Hinge
      “With theoretical verve and archival aplomb, Louis Chude-Sokei explores an open secret that we too often have preferred to ignore: the central role of black minstrelsy in the origins of the Harlem Renaissance. Starting with the simple fact of Bert Williams’s Caribbean origins, he finds the multiple layers of masquerade in any performance of ‘race.’ A timely, often profound portrait of the dynamics of intraracial difference in diaspora.”—Brent Hayes Edwards, author of The Practice of Diaspora

      Table of Contents

      Introduction 1
      1. Black Minstrel, Black Modernism 17
      2. Migrations of a Mask 46
      3. Theorizing Black-on-Black Cross-Culturality 82
      4. The Global Economy of Minstrelsy 114
      5. In Dahomy 161
      6. Claude McKay’s Calypso 207
      Notes 249
      Bibliography 263
      Index 272

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account