From one of the most brilliant writers and thinkers of the twentieth century comes a collection of "passionate, probing, controversial" essays ( The Atlantic ) on topics ranging from race relations in the United States to the role of the writer in society. Told with Baldwin's characteristically unflinching honesty, this “splendid book” ( The New York Times ) offers illuminating, deeply felt essays along with personal accounts of Richard Wright, Norman Mailer and other writers.  “James Baldwin is a skillful writer, a man of fine intelligence and a true companion in the desire to make life human. To take a cue from his title, we had better learn his name.” — The New York Times "A passionate, probing, controversial book which is outstandingly well written." — The Atlantic "A passionate, probing, controversial book which is outstandingly well written."--The Atlantic ldwin's characteristically unflinching honesty, this collection of illuminating, deeply felt essays examines topics ranging from race relations in the United States to the role of the writer in society, and offers personal accounts of Richard Wright, Norman Mailer and other writers. Told with Baldwin's characteristically unflinching honesty, this collection of illuminating, deeply felt essays examines topics ranging from race relations in the United States to the role of the writer in society, and offers personal accounts of Richard Wright, Norman Mailer and other writers. James Baldwin  (1924–1987) was a novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic. His first novel,  Go Tell It on the Mountain,  appeared in 1953 to excellent reviews, and his essay collections  Notes of a Native Son  and  The Fire Next Time  were bestsellers that made him an influential figure in the growing civil rights movement. Baldwin spent much of his life in France, where he moved to escape the racism and homophobia of the United States. He died in France in 1987, a year after being made a Commander of the French Legion of Honor.