In this epic; beautifully written masterwork; Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities; in search of a better life.NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD WINNERLYNTON HISTORY PRIZE WINNERHEARTLAND AWARD WINNER DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE FINALIST NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BYThe New York Times • USA Today • O: The Oprah Magazine • Amazon • Publishers Weekly • Salon • Newsday • The Daily Beast NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BYThe New Yorker • The Washington Post • The Economist • Boston Globe • San Francisco Chronicle • Chicago Tribune • Entertainment Weekly • Philadelphia Inquirer • The Guardian • The Seattle Times • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • The Christian Science Monitor From 1915 to 1970; this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America. Wilkerson compares this epic migration to the migrations of other peoples in history. She interviewed more than a thousand people; and gained access to new data and official records; to write this definitive and vividly dramatic account of how these American journeys unfolded; altering our cities; our country; and ourselves. With stunning historical detail; Wilkerson tells this story through the lives of three unique individuals: Ida Mae Gladney; who in 1937 left sharecropping and prejudice in Mississippi for Chicago; where she achieved quiet blue-collar success and; in old age; voted for Barack Obama when he ran for an Illinois Senate seat; sharp and quick-tempered George Starling; who in 1945 fled Florida for Harlem; where he endangered his job fighting for civil rights; saw his family fall; and finally found peace in God; and Robert Foster; who left Louisiana in 1953 to pursue a medical career; the personal physician to Ray Charles as part of a glitteringly successful medical career; which allowed him to purchase a grand home where he often threw exuberant parties.Wilkerson brilliantly captures their first treacherous and exhausting cross-country trips by car and train and their new lives in colonies that grew into ghettos; as well as how they changed these cities with southern food; faith; and culture and improved them with discipline; drive; and hard work. Both a riveting microcosm and a major assessment; The Warmth of Other Suns is a bold; remarkable; and riveting work; a superb account of an “unrecognized immigration†within our own land. Through the breadth of its narrative; the beauty of the writing; the depth of its research; and the fullness of the people and lives portrayed herein; this book is destined to become a classic.
#1474712 in Books Alvin M Josephy 1993-07-27 1993-07-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.00 x 5.50l; 1.33 #File Name: 0679740031288 pagesCivil War in the American West
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The "other" warBy Edward H. PittsThe Civil War in the West was largely overlooked by historians; since it was not where the decisive battles were fought. But there were battles in the West; nonetheless; with many casualties; often American Indians caught in the middle.Josephy (1915-2005) tells a rich; exhaustively researched story in an engaging; readable style; coming from a prominent journalist turned historian. (Google Alvin M. Josephy Jr. for your amazement; or read his autobiography "A Walk Toward Oregon;" 2000.) He had many lives; in some of which; he risked losing his. He waded ashore with the first landing on Guam in WWII; talking into a recorder all the way in and during days dug-in and pinned down by Japanese fire on the beach.He was no armchair academician; for his books he traveled extensively to find primary sources neglected or forgotten by many historians. He published this book at age 85; after he had researched many of his books treating the West and "knew the territory" in terms of obscure sources.At about midlife; he discovered the story; told by a Nez Perce he met on the street while waiting for an associate in a meeting. That began his career as an historian and advocate for the American Indian (including founding director of the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian.)Other reviewers have amply covered the book; itself. I believe some sense of the author's extensive background will enhance the appreciation of the book.(I was a member of the small planning group that initiated the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture; opened in January 2013 in Joseph; OR (named for the older Chief Joseph). The Center houses Josephy's books and many of his articles and papers and is a venue for art shows; music and performing arts; in addition to classes and discussion groups. Joseph is "at the end of the road" in NE Oregon; a revitalized Western city frequented by tourists for many events in town and adventures in the wilderness.)7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A true guide to the western theatreBy Jason CoffeyI originally purchased this book to add to my collection of books on the American Civil War in the Southwest (Arizona and New Mexico). However; I discovered that was less than a quarter of the book - and perhaps not as in depth as other coverage of the matter. Even after this disapointment however; I was in for a treat.The real meat of the book covers the Indian battles in Minnesota; Louisiana; Utah; Kansas; etc. It even covers Pea Ridge. So you end up with a spectacular companion to Colton's Civil War in the Southwest - as this book covers much of the smaller outlaying battles in the American Civil War between the New Mexico Territory and the west bank of the Mississippi River.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Best Book on the Civil war in the WestBy Daniel HurleyAn excellent history of the fascinating and little published campaigns of the American West during the Civil War. Includes activities the Union had with the Sioux in the great Minnesota uprising and along with Kit Carson with the Apache at the Battle of Adobe Wells; Colorado troops and the Shoshone and the Cheyenne and the horrid Colonel Chivington at the massacre of Sand Creek. You'll find out that there were actually confederate prisoners fighting Indians in the Norhwest that were referred to as Galvanized Yankees and you'll find out what happened to General Pope after 2nd Manasass.Besides these fascinating and unique situations; the author covers Banks' failed Red River campaign against Taylor but the high point to me is the description of Sibley's attempt to conquer the western states particularly New Mexico and the Battle of Glorietta Pass. Referred by the author as the Gettysburg of the West; the Confederates make notable gains against Union forces until that later day when Chivington literally does an end run around Sibley's confederates flank virtually over a cliff resulting in a total loss of his supply train. Once that happens; it's over and the Confederates collapse back to Texas. Literally; a knockout in round two that preserves the southwest as Union.Also covers those forgotten battles at the end of the war; Jeb Magruder from the 7 days battles comes out on top; however; the overall impact is too late to matter. This book covers the other sides of the Civil War universe.
