African American Lives-2003

African American Biography and Memoirs

Black History Month 2003

Alexander, Eleanor. Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow: The Tragic Courtship and marriage of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Ruth Moore. c2001. (B Dunba.P Alexa.E)

The tragic story of the courtship, love, and ultimately disastrous marriage of perhaps the most noted black literary couple in America at the turn of last century.

Ali, Laila. Reach: Finding Strength, Spirit + Personal Power. c2002. (B Ali.L Ali.L)

Laila Ali, daughter of the world’s most famous boxer, is an amazing boxer herself. Her life story is told here and recounts her struggles and triumphs, and what it’s like to be the daughter of "The Greatest."

Anderson, Ho Che. King. c1993. (741.5973 Ander.H)

An interpretive biography in two volumes of Martin Luther King, Jr. told entirely in a graphic comic book style. Using a "film noir" drawing style, author/artist Anderson begins Volume 2 as King recovers from a knife attack and the Civil Rights movement heats up. Volume 1 was released in 1993.

Anderson, Stanice. I Say a Prayer for Me: One Woman’s Life of Faith and Triumph. c2002. (B Ander.S Ander.S)

Journalist and recovery counselor Anderson relates how she overcame the downward spiral her life had taken despite starting out with all the advantages her upper-class home had given her.

Angelou, Maya. A Song Flung Up to Heaven. c2002. (B Angel.M Angel.M)

The sixth volume of Angelou’s autobiography takes up her life as she returns to the U.S. from Africa to the violent and volatile events of Malcolm X’s murder, the Watts riots and Dr. King’s assassination.

Barkley, Charles. I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It. c2002. (B Barkl.C Barkl.C)

Never dull, always with an attitude, and oh so charming, Barkley takes on the weighty subject of himself in this autobiography with a light touch that deep down gets his point across on some very serious issues.

Bauer, William R. Open the Door: The Life and Music of Betty Carter. c2002. (782.42165 Carte.B Bauer.W )

Jazz singer, composer, arranger, and teacher Betty Carter is chronicled in this biography based on first-person interviews with Carter herself.

Black Men in Their Own Words. c2002. (920.71 Black)

Inspiring essays by men of color including Julian Bond, Wynton Marsalis, Kobe Bryant, and Jesse Jackson Jr. Contains stunning photographs and portraits.

Boyd, Valerie. Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston. c2003. (B Hurst.Z Boyd.V )

The first biography of Hurston in 25 years attempts to bring to light her complex and extraordinary life as an African American woman and highly talented writer.

Broadbent, Pat. You Get Past the Tears: A Memoir of Love and Survival. c2002. (B Broad.H Broad.P)

The moving story of a girl whose adoptive parents learn that she is HIV-positive just as she turns four. Though not expected to survive for more than two years, Hydeia is now a thriving teenager. This mother-daughter memoir is about the power of love and the importance of hope.

Brown, Henry Box. The Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown. 2002. (B Brown.H Brown.H )

The memoir of a slave who began a new life in 1849 when he arrived in Philadelphia hidden in a shipping crate. His method of escape created instant celebrity and this led him to the anti-slavery lecture circuit where he railed against the shameful institution and fought for abolition.

Cochran, Johnnie L. A Lawyer’s Life. c2002. (B Cochr.J Cochr.J)

An autobiography of one of America’s most famous trial lawyers who relates his career as a fighter for justice and his involvement in many high-profile cases.

D M X. E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX. c2002. (B Dmx Dmx)

International superstar tells the rags-to riches story of how he overcame the nearly insurmountable disadvantages of an impoverished childhood in New York.

Dhondy, Farrukh. C.L.R. James: A Life. c2001. (B James.C Dhond.F)

A long overdue biography of the noted West Indian historian and political activist who was expelled from the U.S. during the McCarthy era. An author and thinker, James greatly influenced the Black Power movement here and independence struggles throughout the West Indies and Africa.

Dickerson, James. Just for the Thrill: Lil Harden Armstrong, First Lady of Jazz. 2002. (B Armst.L Dicke.J)

A revealing biography of the remarkable Lillian Hardin, jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, and her influence on the world of American popular music. Married to Duke Ellington for fourteen years, she helped further his career with her huge talents, yet she never abandoned her own goals of becoming the First Lady of Jazz.

Dunning, Jennifer. Geoffrey Holder: A Life in Theater, Dance, and Art. c2001. (700.92 Holde.G Dunni.J)

Dancer, director, set designer, and artist, Geoffrey Holder is presented to us in this stunning book by New York Times dance critic Dunning.

Egan, Sean. Jimi Hendrix and the Making of Are You Experienced. c2002. (B Hendr.J Egan.S)

The story of how this ground-breaking album was made gives us a behind-the-scenes look at musical creativity and musical history in the making.

Farley, Christopher John. Aaliyah: More Than a Woman. c2001. (B Aaliyah Farle.C)

The life and music of the beautiful, successful hip-hop soul artist who died at age 22 in a plane crash.

Felix, Antonia. Condi: The Condoleezza Rice Story. c2002. (B Rice.C Felix.A)

A comprehensive biography of this nation’s most powerful woman based on interviews with relatives, colleagues, friends, and teachers, and scores of previously published interviews and articles.

Foreman, George. George Foreman’s Guide to Life: How to Get Up Off the Canvas When Life Knocks You Down. c2002. (B Forem.G Forem.G)

Inspiration and helpful advice on finding success and happiness despite life’s tough times and trials from two-time heavyweight champ.

Forsyth, Roger A. Black Flight: Breaking Barriers to Blacks in Aviation. c2001. (B Forsy.A Forsy.R)

Forsyth faced many barriers to becoming a pilot, but was willing to risk a great deal to achieve his goal. This inspiring biography relates the story of his struggles to overcome discrimination and the many natural perils he faced in the early days of aviation.

Freeman, Scott. Otis!: The Otis Redding Story. c2001. (B Reddi.O Freem.S)

In his hometown, a sleepy little farm town, Redding was enthralled first by church music and further inspired when he heard entertainer Little Richard. This full-scale biography of the much-loved rock ’n’ roll singer explores the man, his motivations, and his music.

Glover, Tony. Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story. c2002. (B Little Glove.T)

The life, times, and musical creations of one of the founders of the Chicago Blues style are recounted in this bio of the harmonica-playing great, Little Walter.

Gordon, Robert. Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters. c2002. (B Muddy Gordo.R)

The possessor of an influential musical talent and the acknowledged creator of a genre called electric blues is the subject of this comprehensive biography.

Guillaume, Robert. Guillaume: A Life. c2002. (B Guill.R Guill.R)

Less than a year after suffering a stroke, actor Guillaume, best known as TV’s Benson, began this candid autobiography recounting his long, successful career and the forces in his past that shaped his life.

Harari, Oren. The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell. c2002. (658.4092 Harar.O)

The particular and effective style of leadership evidenced by Colin Powell is explored in a profile that reveals the thinking and wisdom behind the man’s actions.

Hinds, Selwyn Seyfu. Gunshots in my Cook-up: Bits and Bites from a Hip-hop Caribbean Life. c2002. (B Hinds.S Hinds.S)

A memoir of a career spent chronicling the hip hop world, giving the reader an intimate view of the author’s love of this late twentieth century music phenomenon.

Howard, Arlene. Elston and Me: The Story of the First Black Yankee. c2001. (B Howar.E Howar.A)

A much-awaited biography of the first African American to play for the New York Yankees, a franchise that through the mid-50s resisted integration. This book relates Elston Howard’s stellar career as Yankee catcher, Red Sox player and finally as Yankee coach and manager.

Hurston, Zora Neale. Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters. c2002. (B Hurst.Z Hurst.Z)

In the mid to late 70s, America rediscovered Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. Now a staple of high school and college reading curricula and a popular choice for many book groups, Hurston’s own life story, somewhat of an enigma to the reading public, is explored through this meticulously collected and edited collection of her personal correspondence.

Iman. Iman. c2001. (B Iman Iman Oversize)

A photo-biography with accompanying text by various contributors offers striking images of Iman plus fascinating behind the scenes glimpses of her life in the world of high fashion and her influence as both a Civil Rights and political symbol.

Jackson, Lawrence Patrick. Ralph Ellison: Emergence of Genius. c2002. (B Ellis.R Jacks.L)

A first and long-awaited biography of Ellison—a pivotal author and thinker in American letters and history—is comprehensively presented here through extensive research, correspondences, interviews, and photographs.

Johnson, John E. Only Son. c2002. (B Johns.J Johns.J)

A moving account of a successful black news anchorman who walks away from his career to tend his dying father, a man who had both physically and emotionally abused him in the past.

Kennedy, Pagan. Black Livingstone: A True Tale of Adventure in the Nineteenth-Century Congo. c2002. (B Shepp.W Kenne.P)

The fascinating story of an African American missionary/adventurer who witnessed the era of colonialism at its most brutal in the Belgian Congo. Sheppard ran a church mission for 24 years and used this position as a jumping-off point for his many other pursuits—big game hunting, art collecting, philanthropy, and exploration. Most important, perhaps, was his role as chronicler of the savage treatment of the Congolese people.

King, Dexter Scott. Growing up King: An Intimate Memoir. c2003. (B King.D King.D)

The son of one of the world’s most famous and beloved African American personages tells the dramatic story of his unique and often harrowing childhood.

Koigi wa wamwere. I Refuse to Die: My Journey for Freedom. c2002. (B Koigi Koigi)

The inspiring memoir of a gifted young Kenyan who survived harsh colonial rule and numerous imprisonments when his political activism and writings dared to criticize the corrupt regime of Jomo Kenyatta.

Love, Dennis. Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder’s Mother. c2002. (B Harda.L Love.D)

A biography of Lula Hardaway, the determined and resilient mother of superstar Stevie Wonder, tells of the hardships she faced, the special challenges of raising a child blind from infancy, and how her inner strength allowed her to survive and eventually help her child prosper.

Mathis, Greg. Inner City Miracle. c2002. (B Mathi.G Mathi.G)

A candid memoir of Mathis’s rise to prestige and success as a judge and TV personality that tells the harrowing story of a kid on the road to becoming a "do-anything gangsta" who changes course and literally saves his own life.

Mawi Asgedom. Of Beetles and Angels: A True Story of the American Dream. c2001. (B Mawi Mawi)

An inspiring memoir of one boy’s experience as a refugee, immigrant, and eventually an American success story.

McKinley, Catherine E. The Book of Sarahs: A Family Revealed. c2002. (B Mckin.C Mckin.C)

The biography of a bi-racial woman adopted by a white couple from a small, all-white New England town, and her search for truth about her biological family.

Mingus, Sue. Tonight at Noon: A Love Story. c2002. (B Mingu.C Mingu.S)

A biography of the late jazz great Charles Mingus written by his wife tells the story of their tumultuous romance—she from a white, WASP, privileged world, he a musical genius from the Watts ghetto in L.A.—and his career as an eccentric yet brilliant artist.

Nuwere, Ejovi. Hacker Cracker: A Journey from the Mean Streets of Brooklyn to the Frontiers of Cyber Space. c2002. (B Nuwer.E Nuwer.E)

The biography of a young African American boy who found salvation from the gangs and violent street life of Brooklyn’s ghetto in the hi-tech world of cyberspace.

Payton, Walter. Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton. c2000. (B Payto.W Payto.W)

An inspiring autobiography of one of the best-loved athletes in America. Co-authored with veteran sports journalist, Don Yaeger, it reveals the warm, plainspoken voice of Payton and his wish to leave us a lesson for life.

Pegg, Bruce. Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry: An Unauthorized Biography. c2002. (B Berry.C Pegg.B)

Peterson, Oscar. A Jazz Odyssey: The Life of Oscar Peterson. c2002. (B Peter.O Peter.O)

The autobiography of one of the greats of the contemporary jazz world. Fully indexed and including a comprehensive list of noted jazz artists showing full name, nickname, and instrument.

Robeson, Paul. The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: An Artist’s Journey, 1898-1939. c2001. (B Robes.P Robes.P)

A new biography of Paul Robeson, one of the 20th century’s most important figures. Actor, singer, author, scholar, and social activist, Robeson was a true Renaissance man during an era of overt and often brutal racism. Written by his son, this heartfelt biography gives us a brilliant and thorough portrait.

Roby, Steven. Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix. c2002. (B Hendr.J Roby.S)

Lost sessions and till now unknown recorded collaborations are among the wealth of information that comprises this new and comprehensive biography of one of America’s musical greats.

Rubin, Richard. Confederacy of Silence: A True Tale of the New Old South. c2002. (B Rubin.R Rubin.R)

Written from the perspective of a transplanted New Yorker—a young, white journalist relocated to Greenwood, Mississippi—we are given a vivid portrait of an old Delta town just barely acknowledging the new American society and the realities of multi-culturalism and diversity.

Sayers, Gayle. I Am Third: The Inspiration for Brian’s Song. c1970. (B Sayer.G Sayer.G 2001)

A re-issue of the book that inspired the movie. A classic memoir by Gayle Sayers, one of the best running backs in the history of pro football, that highlights his friendship with Brian Piccolo.

Sepia Dreams: A Celebration of Black Achievement through Words and Images. c2001. (920.009296 Sepia)

Profiles of noted African Americans—entertainers, artists, authors, thinkers—presented in stunning photographs and inspiring personal essays.

Shabazz, Ilyasah. Growing up X. c2002. (B Shaba.I Shaba.I)

The child of a renowned, martyred father and a courageous mother, Ilyasah Shabazz recounts a tumultuous and unforgettable life.

Stewart, Shelley. The Road South: A Memoir. c2002. (B Stewa.S Stewa.S)

The life story of one of America’s first black radio personalities and promoter of R & B performers who succeeded despite a childhood filled with abuse and the highly segregated and discriminatory society of the South in the 1940s.

Szwed, John F. So What: The Life of Miles Davis. c2002. (B Davis.M Szwed.J)

Despite continued popularity ten years after his death, Davis himself was an enigma: why so difficult, even hostile; why so many changes in musical style; why his sudden withdrawal from performing. Based on interviews, archival research, and previous biographies, this new look at his life attempts to answer some of those questions.

Travers, Steven. Barry Bonds: Baseball’s Superman. c2002. (B Bonds.B Trave.S)

A biography of Barry Bonds, arguably the man who may someday be known as the "Greatest Baseball Player Ever" according to author Travers, former sportswriter for the San Francisco Examiner and award-winning screenwriter.

Tucker, Phillip Thomas. Cathy Williams: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier. c2002. (B Willi.C Tucke.P)

Cathy Williams, disguised as Private William Cathay, joined up with the illustrious Buffalo Soldiers, the all-black U.S. Army fighting force, in the years just after the Civil War. Her experiences, exploits and how we today can benefit from her inspiring and bold actions are told in this remarkable story.

Wesley, Fred. Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Side Man. c2002. (B Wesle. F Wesle.F)

Legendary side-man, funk, soul, and jazz trombonist Fred Wesley, Jr., takes a solo spot to tell the story of his life as a performer, arranger, and composer who has influenced the American music world with his signature style and talents.

Williams, Herman. Firefighter. c2002. (B Willi.H Willi.H)

The memoirs of Baltimore’s retired fire chief, the first African American to attain that position in a major U.S. city, tells of a life filled with poverty, racism, tenacity, and heroism.

William, Iain Cameron. Underneath a Harlem Moon: The Harlem to Paris Years of Adelaide Hall. c2002. (B Hall.A Willi.I)

This long overdue biography of Adelaide Hall profiles the Harlem Renaissance actress and singer who crashed barriers that were keeping black performers from achieving recognition, and who achieved international superstardom then abruptly disappeared in England in 1938 leaving an unsolved mystery never publicly explained.

Winch, Julie. A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten. c2002. (B Forte.J Winch.J)

A long-overdue, serious biography of a remarkable 19th century African American, born in 1766 to a free black family. His life story encompassing his participation in the American Revolution and his profession and business as a master sailmaker illustrates a personality and time in our history.

Young, Yolanda. On Our Way to Beautiful: A Family Memoir. c2002. (B Young.Y Young.Y)

Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, author Young came from a town and society that played hard and prayed hard. With warmth and humor she recounts a life filled with unforgettable characters and events both minor and major that formed her.