The inspiring life and legacy of vocal artist and civil rights
icon Paul Robeson—one of the most important public figures in the
twentieth century—adapted for young adults by the acclaimed Robeson
biographer
“As an artist I
come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no
one can silence me in this.” —Paul Robeson
Paul
Robeson was destined for greatness. The son of an ex-slave who upon
his college graduation ranked first in his class, Robeson was
proclaimed the future “leader of the colored race in America.”
Although a graduate of Columbia Law School, he abandoned his law
career (and the racism he encountered there) and began a hugely
successful career as an internationally celebrated actor and singer.
The predictions seemed to have been correct—Paul Robeson’s
triumphs on the stage earned him esteem among white and Black
Americans across the country, although his daring and principled
activism eventually made him an outcast from the entertainment
industry, and his radical views made many consider him a public
enemy.
With
the original biography lavishly praised in the Washington Post
as “enthralling . . . a marvelous story marvelously told,” this
will be a thrilling new addition to the young adult canon. Featuring
contextualizing sidebars, explanations of key terms, and photographs
from Paul Robeson’s life and times, Paul
Robeson: No One Can Silence Me
will introduce readers in middle and high school to the inspiring and
complicated life of one of America’s most fascinating figures,
whose story of artistry, heroism, conviction, and conflict is newly
relevant today.