rEADERS, REVIEWERS, & WRITERS DISCUSS BOOKS, POEMS, STORIES & eSSAYS BY ABERJHANI
The reviews and comments which follow are from readers and writers on different sites around the wide world web, like Goodreads, Amazon, and AuthorsDen, commenting on various works by Aberjhani. The content on this page will evolve as reviews and commentaries become available. In addition, reviews may also be read on the pages of different books and blog posts. Thank you for visiting.
On encyclopedia of the harlem Renaissance
POSTED ON AMAZON:
David H. Peterzell PhD PhD
5.0 out of 5 starsCan't believe I'm the first to review this...
April 27, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I'm absolutely, positively NOT an expert on this topic. I'm interested in the topic for its own sake, and I'm also interested in cultural and environmental factors that foster creativity. I have kept this book in my car for the last couple weeks, and I find myself reading a passage or two here and there. I've been reading it along with Abdul-Jabbar's recent book. There are quite a few books out there on the Harlem Renaissance, and the last 100 years of African-American history. I'm not familiar with most of them.
Here's why I loved THIS book.
The writing is superb. The passages are about 1-4 pages each, and they confront the reader with the snap, crackle and pop of concise, crisp journalistic prose. The authors have a knack for deepening knowledge while causing the reader to want to know even more about the topic. The portraits tend to be descriptive without being judgmental, which adds credibility to the passages and force to the general topic. At the same time, the authors seem psychologically savvy, providing internally consistent life histories in many instances. There's a phenomenal amount of information here about remarkable people and places. The scholarship appears to be quite good, with helpful references following each passage.
This review is a work in progress, so stay tuned.
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11 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 starsTHE HARLEM RENAISSANCE LIVES!
September 23, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
EXCELLENT resource for anyone studying the Harlem Renaissance! There are so many great stories, facts, and photos in this you won't be able to put it down!
3 people found this helpful
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Young Amer Chrstn Schl
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
January 3, 2017
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Students so grateful to have this.
2 people found this helpful
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elaine buchsbaum
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
May 12, 2017
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
interesting history
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David H. Peterzell PhD PhD
5.0 out of 5 starsCan't believe I'm the first to review this...
April 27, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I'm absolutely, positively NOT an expert on this topic. I'm interested in the topic for its own sake, and I'm also interested in cultural and environmental factors that foster creativity. I have kept this book in my car for the last couple weeks, and I find myself reading a passage or two here and there. I've been reading it along with Abdul-Jabbar's recent book. There are quite a few books out there on the Harlem Renaissance, and the last 100 years of African-American history. I'm not familiar with most of them.
Here's why I loved THIS book.
The writing is superb. The passages are about 1-4 pages each, and they confront the reader with the snap, crackle and pop of concise, crisp journalistic prose. The authors have a knack for deepening knowledge while causing the reader to want to know even more about the topic. The portraits tend to be descriptive without being judgmental, which adds credibility to the passages and force to the general topic. At the same time, the authors seem psychologically savvy, providing internally consistent life histories in many instances. There's a phenomenal amount of information here about remarkable people and places. The scholarship appears to be quite good, with helpful references following each passage.
This review is a work in progress, so stay tuned.
Read more
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
Comment Report abuse
kip
5.0 out of 5 starsTHE HARLEM RENAISSANCE LIVES!
September 23, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
EXCELLENT resource for anyone studying the Harlem Renaissance! There are so many great stories, facts, and photos in this you won't be able to put it down!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
Comment Report abuse
Young Amer Chrstn Schl
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
January 3, 2017
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Students so grateful to have this.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Comment Report abuse
elaine buchsbaum
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
May 12, 2017
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
interesting history
Helpful
POSTED ON AUTHORSDEN:
Reviewed by Ronald Hull 7/4/2011I was looking for reviews of my short stories for my upcoming short story book when I came upon this encyclopedia. I have A friend, Cary Wintz, who has also written a history of the Harlem Renaissance. Last year and the McCleary Symposium, I wrote a poem, The Roaring 20s, that has brought a great deal of search activity to my website. I haven't heard from you for a while, but it looks like you've been very busy and successful. I will be using your review of my short story, Hit and Run, on my back cover.
Continued writing success,
Ron
A THANK YOU FROM Aberjhani 11/30/2007Authors always welcome positive reviews of their work but one of the greatest indicators of a nonfiction book’s value and impact would have to be whether or not it shows up in the citations of other books dealing with the same subject. In the case of “Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance” (Facts On File) the evidence can be seen in the following list of books that cite the Encyclopedia in their reference sources:
--"Belleville: 1814-1914” by Robert C. Fietsam and Judy Belleville.
--“Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-sized Libraries and Media Centers 2004 Edition” (Recommended Reference Books) (hb) by Martin Dillon.
--“Ebony Rising: Short Fiction of the Greater Harlem Renaissance Era” (pb) by Craig Gable.
--“Millennium Folk: American Folk Music Since the Sixties” (pb) August 30, 2006 (University of Georgia Press) by Thomas R. Gruning
--“Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 13th Edition (with CD-ROM): Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over! (Writer's Guide) (pb)” by Jeff Herman.
--“Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents 2004: Who They Are! What They Want! and How to Win Them Over!” (pb) by Jeff Herman.
--“African-American Pride: Celebrating Our Achievements, Contributions, and Enduring Legacy” by Tyehimba Jess.
--“Richard Wright: A Biography (Literary Greats)” (Library Binding) Twenty-first Century Books, 2007,by Debbie Levy.
--"Music Musique: French & American Piano Composition in the Jazz Age" (hb) Indiana University Press, 2006, by Barbara Meister.
--"Black France: Colonialism, Immigration, and Transnationalism" Indiana University Press, 2006, by Dominic Thomas.
Thank you fellow authors for the honor:-)
Reviewed by Michael Guy 10/25/2007I clicked on your name, because I've heard it before (don't know where) I see you have established an incredible career as an independent writer! What books, and so many. As a jazz piano player, I want to buy this book badly, but I am broke this month due to being single and having to pay for a full house and insurance bills. But soon I will get it. Duke Ellington is my favorite Jazz Composer of all time (and pianist) Incredible that he could cross such musical and commercial bounderies at such a time in history for most Black Americans! Is the time period in you book , the time he was playing in Harlem? I love jazz, but my knowledge of its history is not complete. Again, I will struggle to read on your pages, but you have so much I don't know where to begin! Incredible acheivement for any writer; when did you first publish?
Good luck, I will be back.
michael guy
Reviewed by Reginald Johnson1 0/11/2007 An excellent source of information during an extraordinary period in Harlem, USA. It is a perfect reference hand-book filled with excellent photos, amusing anecdotes, and marvelous characters.
Reviewed by Sandi Schraut 7/2/2006Thanks for this! As a college project I did a essay on Langston Hughes and of course learned about the Harlem Renaissance as a result. I too found the era fasinating. Thanks for sharing this. Sandi
Reviewed by Zaomi Samada 6/13/2005Aberjhani, now that I've learned I can get a copy of this wonderful book in paperback for $21.95, I will do so right away (and save for a hard copy). I've read excerpts and also talked to people who have copies. They have nothing but love for The Encylopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. Yesterday, I talked to a radio producer who told me that he's already swiped his station's copy because he can't put it down. It seems that you and co-author Sandra West have managed to get people reading history with the same enthusiasm they'd read a novel, and so, you've performed a literary miracle. ~~Nordette
Reviewed by Ronald Hull 7/4/2011I was looking for reviews of my short stories for my upcoming short story book when I came upon this encyclopedia. I have A friend, Cary Wintz, who has also written a history of the Harlem Renaissance. Last year and the McCleary Symposium, I wrote a poem, The Roaring 20s, that has brought a great deal of search activity to my website. I haven't heard from you for a while, but it looks like you've been very busy and successful. I will be using your review of my short story, Hit and Run, on my back cover.
Continued writing success,
Ron
A THANK YOU FROM Aberjhani 11/30/2007Authors always welcome positive reviews of their work but one of the greatest indicators of a nonfiction book’s value and impact would have to be whether or not it shows up in the citations of other books dealing with the same subject. In the case of “Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance” (Facts On File) the evidence can be seen in the following list of books that cite the Encyclopedia in their reference sources:
--"Belleville: 1814-1914” by Robert C. Fietsam and Judy Belleville.
--“Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-sized Libraries and Media Centers 2004 Edition” (Recommended Reference Books) (hb) by Martin Dillon.
--“Ebony Rising: Short Fiction of the Greater Harlem Renaissance Era” (pb) by Craig Gable.
--“Millennium Folk: American Folk Music Since the Sixties” (pb) August 30, 2006 (University of Georgia Press) by Thomas R. Gruning
--“Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 13th Edition (with CD-ROM): Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over! (Writer's Guide) (pb)” by Jeff Herman.
--“Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents 2004: Who They Are! What They Want! and How to Win Them Over!” (pb) by Jeff Herman.
--“African-American Pride: Celebrating Our Achievements, Contributions, and Enduring Legacy” by Tyehimba Jess.
--“Richard Wright: A Biography (Literary Greats)” (Library Binding) Twenty-first Century Books, 2007,by Debbie Levy.
--"Music Musique: French & American Piano Composition in the Jazz Age" (hb) Indiana University Press, 2006, by Barbara Meister.
--"Black France: Colonialism, Immigration, and Transnationalism" Indiana University Press, 2006, by Dominic Thomas.
Thank you fellow authors for the honor:-)
Reviewed by Michael Guy 10/25/2007I clicked on your name, because I've heard it before (don't know where) I see you have established an incredible career as an independent writer! What books, and so many. As a jazz piano player, I want to buy this book badly, but I am broke this month due to being single and having to pay for a full house and insurance bills. But soon I will get it. Duke Ellington is my favorite Jazz Composer of all time (and pianist) Incredible that he could cross such musical and commercial bounderies at such a time in history for most Black Americans! Is the time period in you book , the time he was playing in Harlem? I love jazz, but my knowledge of its history is not complete. Again, I will struggle to read on your pages, but you have so much I don't know where to begin! Incredible acheivement for any writer; when did you first publish?
Good luck, I will be back.
michael guy
Reviewed by Reginald Johnson1 0/11/2007 An excellent source of information during an extraordinary period in Harlem, USA. It is a perfect reference hand-book filled with excellent photos, amusing anecdotes, and marvelous characters.
Reviewed by Sandi Schraut 7/2/2006Thanks for this! As a college project I did a essay on Langston Hughes and of course learned about the Harlem Renaissance as a result. I too found the era fasinating. Thanks for sharing this. Sandi
Reviewed by Zaomi Samada 6/13/2005Aberjhani, now that I've learned I can get a copy of this wonderful book in paperback for $21.95, I will do so right away (and save for a hard copy). I've read excerpts and also talked to people who have copies. They have nothing but love for The Encylopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. Yesterday, I talked to a radio producer who told me that he's already swiped his station's copy because he can't put it down. It seems that you and co-author Sandra West have managed to get people reading history with the same enthusiasm they'd read a novel, and so, you've performed a literary miracle. ~~Nordette
POSTED ON GOODREADS:
Bert Becker rated it really liked it
Shelves: becker-s-reviews
Clement Alexander Price, & Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. (2004). New York, NY.Ceckmark Books. Citation by: Bert Becker
Type of reference: Encyclopedia. Call Number: Ref 550.
Content/Scope: This book contains information on historical figures in the Harlem Renaissance related to the arts, literature and the move of African Americans in the United States
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is accurate information on people who influenced the African American movement in the 1920's and 1930's.
Arrangement/Presentation: The book was laid out in chronological order of events with each section given to a particular person who was influential in the movement.
Relation to other This book is related to other encyclopedias. This one focuses on a specific topic of the African American monvement.
Accessibility/Diversity: The topics covered are related to what students may need to use as references when doing research. It gave some historical inforation that could be used. It is inteded for high school ages.
Cost: $38.00
Professional review of the item:
Clement Alexander Price, & Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. (2004). New York, NY.Ceckmark Books
Bert Becker rated it really liked it
Shelves: becker-s-reviews
Clement Alexander Price, & Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. (2004). New York, NY.Ceckmark Books. Citation by: Bert Becker
Type of reference: Encyclopedia. Call Number: Ref 550.
Content/Scope: This book contains information on historical figures in the Harlem Renaissance related to the arts, literature and the move of African Americans in the United States
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is accurate information on people who influenced the African American movement in the 1920's and 1930's.
Arrangement/Presentation: The book was laid out in chronological order of events with each section given to a particular person who was influential in the movement.
Relation to other This book is related to other encyclopedias. This one focuses on a specific topic of the African American monvement.
Accessibility/Diversity: The topics covered are related to what students may need to use as references when doing research. It gave some historical inforation that could be used. It is inteded for high school ages.
Cost: $38.00
Professional review of the item:
Clement Alexander Price, & Sandra L. West. Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. (2004). New York, NY.Ceckmark Books
ON THE RIVER OF WINGED DREAMS
POSTED ON AMAZON:
M.A
sHire a book designer and you'd have a bestseller in the poetry genre.
August 21, 2017Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The poems were absolutely phenomenal. This book deserves a much better cover, if I had not read one of the poems before hand I would not have given it a second thought.
Helpful
L
JL
3.0 out of 5 stars Layout Is Lacking But Happy To Have It
May 7, 2016Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
While I like the poetry, the layout if horrid. Still, I have yet to find a book of Aberjhani and this is all I came up with so I am happy to have it. If anyone has other suggestions, please let me know.
Helpful
Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful stuff...
November 5, 2013Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Wow. This is powerful stuff. Some of it heavenly, some of it from pain. It is elegant in its poetry. Profound in its thoughts. If you want a collection to rivet you to your chair, this is it.
4 people found this helpful
M.A
M.A
sHire a book designer and you'd have a bestseller in the poetry genre.
August 21, 2017Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The poems were absolutely phenomenal. This book deserves a much better cover, if I had not read one of the poems before hand I would not have given it a second thought.
Helpful
L
JL
3.0 out of 5 stars Layout Is Lacking But Happy To Have It
May 7, 2016Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
While I like the poetry, the layout if horrid. Still, I have yet to find a book of Aberjhani and this is all I came up with so I am happy to have it. If anyone has other suggestions, please let me know.
Helpful
Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful stuff...
November 5, 2013Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Wow. This is powerful stuff. Some of it heavenly, some of it from pain. It is elegant in its poetry. Profound in its thoughts. If you want a collection to rivet you to your chair, this is it.
4 people found this helpful
M.A
POSTED ON GOODREADS:
by
Richard's review, Nov 06, 2012
really liked it
bookshelves: american-literature, by-gr-friends, poetry, reviewed,southern-literature, 2011-2018
Autographed review copy kindly provided by author and GR friend, Aberjhani.
This is Aberjhani's most recent volume of poetry. The poet explains how the present volume grew out of earlier works, and how the individual pieces were written as if by heavenly inspiration and sometimes by a sort of angelic possession. Thus, the theme which links the material is that of angels.
As I have read his first published work, I Made My Boy Out of Poetry, it may be helpful for me to compare and contrast the two books. They are both intense and packed with meaning. There is still a sense of being mystically connected to nature. The spirituality is still rooted in body, time, place and family, but manages to transcend them.
What I particularly noticed was the commentary on historical events, such as 9/11. There were also tributes to figures in American life past and present, figures as diverse as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michael Jackson. There is also respectful and loving hommage to fellow poets and family members, such as his father and grandmother; in an age where the young increasingly take the older generations for granted, this is refreshing.
But there are also some differences between Aberjhani's two collections. Whereas the first volume contained a mixture of poetry and fiction, the last one is all verse; many of the poems are haikus. In the earlier book, his vision is expressed in a very raw, powerful way; one has the sense that he will do what is necessary to attract attention to his ideas, even if it involves shocking the reader. In the present book, there is still a sense of mission and urgency; inspired by angels (and let us remember that the word "angel" means "messenger"), Aberjhani still has a message to convey. That being said, the poetry has a more polished and mature feel to it.
Because this was a promotional copy, the print was quite small and squeezed into the centre of the pages. This was a little hard on my middle-aged vision. Thankfully however, readers who obtain a regular copy will find the print larger and easier on the eyes.
7 likes · Like ∙ flag
by
Richard's review, Nov 06, 2012
really liked it
bookshelves: american-literature, by-gr-friends, poetry, reviewed,southern-literature, 2011-2018
Autographed review copy kindly provided by author and GR friend, Aberjhani.
This is Aberjhani's most recent volume of poetry. The poet explains how the present volume grew out of earlier works, and how the individual pieces were written as if by heavenly inspiration and sometimes by a sort of angelic possession. Thus, the theme which links the material is that of angels.
As I have read his first published work, I Made My Boy Out of Poetry, it may be helpful for me to compare and contrast the two books. They are both intense and packed with meaning. There is still a sense of being mystically connected to nature. The spirituality is still rooted in body, time, place and family, but manages to transcend them.
What I particularly noticed was the commentary on historical events, such as 9/11. There were also tributes to figures in American life past and present, figures as diverse as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michael Jackson. There is also respectful and loving hommage to fellow poets and family members, such as his father and grandmother; in an age where the young increasingly take the older generations for granted, this is refreshing.
But there are also some differences between Aberjhani's two collections. Whereas the first volume contained a mixture of poetry and fiction, the last one is all verse; many of the poems are haikus. In the earlier book, his vision is expressed in a very raw, powerful way; one has the sense that he will do what is necessary to attract attention to his ideas, even if it involves shocking the reader. In the present book, there is still a sense of mission and urgency; inspired by angels (and let us remember that the word "angel" means "messenger"), Aberjhani still has a message to convey. That being said, the poetry has a more polished and mature feel to it.
Because this was a promotional copy, the print was quite small and squeezed into the centre of the pages. This was a little hard on my middle-aged vision. Thankfully however, readers who obtain a regular copy will find the print larger and easier on the eyes.
7 likes · Like ∙ flag