James Baldwin: The Last Interview: and other Conversations (The Last Interview Series) Paperback – December 2, 2014

if you want to know about james baldwin, baldwin at his best is found in his work, his autobiographical essays, and the biography by his secretary, david leeming. the interviews here belong as much to the body of work of the interviewers as baldwin.four interviews from three periods of his life. the interview conducted by studs terkel, in 1961 at the beginning of the civil rights movement, appeared after the publication of baldwin's book of essays, Nobody Knows My Name. The range of essays reflects the cosmopolitanism of baldwin, his interview of the swedish filmmaker, ingrid bergman, outside stockholm; coming of age in harlem, new york, in the 1930s; his presence at the 1956 conference of negro-african writers and artists held in france--the first day of the meeting in attendance were richard wright, alioune diop, organizer, leopold senghor from senegal, aimie cesaire from martinque, and, representing haiti, jacques alexis and jean price-mars, literary and intellectual luminaries invisible to the western world; and a visit to the segregated american south. terkel’s other questions, based on the book, include baldwin’s observations on Carmen Jones. the film with a black cast, comments by faulkner, ‘minority rights’, the terror embraced by white americans in the presence of black americans, and his experiences with richard wright and norman mailer.two interviews from 1984, conducted respectively by julius lester and richard goldstein. between 1961 and 1984, martin luther king, malcolm x, two kennedy brothers, and medgar evers had been murdered, the war in viet-nam had ended, the black power movement had run its course, civil rights legislation had passed, and large cities in the united states had black mayors. lester’s questions begin with of a young baldwin’s early publications in new york’s intellectual journals and cover generational differences of the black writers who came of age in the sixties and formed the black arts movement, his role as a witness to his times, and celebrity. goldstein’s interview is an inquiry of homosexuality. the term ‘gay’ was not in existence in the 40s and 50s. being gay did not have a strong political agenda or an openly visible presence as san francisco’s castro valley. the homosexuality of which goldstein spoke was a long way from Giovanni’s Room.the final interview, conducted by quincy troupe, took place at baldwin’s home in the south of france in 1987, the year which would see baldwin’s death. troupe was working on his book about miles davis and had gone to see baldwin to ask him about his relationship with the great trumpeter. he had no idea of baldwin’s waning health until baldwin’s brother, david, told him, and asked him to conduct a more extensive interview since troupe’s interview would be aldwin’s last interview, an overview of baldwin’s life.

Had forgotten how brilliant Baldwin is, and reading the interviews it's amazing how he predicted exactly where we are today: white society fearing they will be 'extinguished' or 'overrun' by brown and black peoples, and so beginning new race wars. Even more revealing is the condescension and clear (today) racism and homophobia of some of his interviewers. Read 'Stamped from the Beginning' last year, and it made enough of an impact that in reading these interviews, one can spot even those who are 'trying to elevate' this brilliant black man to their whiteness. Baldwin seems present enough, and brilliant enough, to see al the racist and homophobic comments for what they are - I wished at times these were audio tapes, so I could hear his answers which, just being read, still sound as if they put those interviewers who need it in the place they belong. This is an excellent read for the 21st Century...

These interviews were so topical that they could have been done last week. One of Mr. Baldwin’s observations indicated that the only difference between a black man and a white man is (slight paraphrase) the white man has his “knee” on the black man’s neck. He didn’t say back or chest, he said neck. Hello George Floyd. The statement struck so hard that I had to put the book down for a while. I’m black, born in the south during the 1950s, so this was not news to me. The man was such an observer of the Black race’s condition in America that his knowledge offers a prescient knowledge of today’s world events. Should be required reading for all who live in a multi-racial society today.

James Baldwin was very careful with the written word. Words mattered to him because he understood that they transcend a simple lifetime. These interviews show Baldwin carefully choosing his words but also “letting his hair down” a little, particularly in the last, longest interview. This is an excellent collection of recollections, thoughts, apperceptions, and scrutiny. (Ismael Reed comes off poorly.) Buy it! You will not be disappointed, particularly if you are favorably inclined toward Baldwin. People on the fence would do well to buy the book to gain insight into one of African-Americans’ best spokesmen. Recognize also that James Baldwin was an individual voice. Each author’s viewpoint leavens the dough of group experience. Once you’ve finished this short collection, buy and read Eddie Glaude, Jr.‘s “ Democracy in Black.”

As expected.

I read this small, albeit, powerful book in one sitting. So timely and relevant. It did not disappoint and has helped to inform my understanding of the current crisis in race relations and political discord. Baldwin's insights are particularly helpful in achieving an understanding of how and why we got Donald J. Trump as our president, and a government that is dysfunctional. Baldwin's writings can give us clarity of vision and energy to power the resistance we need to confront the destructive actions of our current leaders. For that I am eternally grateful. I just wish there was more in this last interview.

If you luv Baldwin you will luv the interviews. His thoughts are still timely. He is forever my muse. A great introduction to his direct thought. So many people want to analyze his words, but Baldwin is very clear. No interpretation needed. One can skip around and read which ever interview looks interesting. I personally like the cover. A must read if you want his word and not the many who attempt to analyze him and his work.

Almost nothing is better or more illuminating than hearing Jimmy Baldwin talk. The clarity and the relentless honesty of his voice is unequalled. He still speaks directly to us today. Can it be that we have finally begun to listen?