Back cover:
Originally published in 1912, this novel was one of the first to present a frank picture of being black in America.

Masked in the tradition of the literary confession as practiced by such writers as St. Augustine and Rousseau, this "autobiography" purports to be the candid account of its narrator's private views and feelings as well as an acknowledgment of the central secret of his life: that though he lives as a white man, he is, by heritage and experience, an African-American.

Written by the first black executive secretary of the NAACP, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, in its depiction of turn-of-the-century New York, anticipates the social realism of the Harlem Renaissance writers. In its unprecedented analysis of the social causes and artistic consequences of a black man's denial of the best within himself, it is perhaps James Weldon Johnson's greatest service to his race.

Trade Paperback - Willing to send as a RABCK or trade when done.

I have too many books on my shelf right now and its going to take me ages to get to them all. So, I thought I’d send some out for rings in the meantime so others can enjoy until I have a chance to get to them.

This is a "take your time" bookring (copying flewry here as I like this idea so much), so no need to rush through it in a month if you don't prefer. There's no set reading deadline for this ring; just be considerate of other readers signed up: Journal when you get it and every few weeks so we know it hasn't been forgotten and try to keep it somewhere near the top of the TBR pile.

Link to the forum: http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/475534

This ring will remain open indefinitely so please post on the forum or send a PM to join.

Current bookring reading order (subject to change based on new participants):
1. Vassilka - Greece (ship EU)
2. Icila - France (ship int'l) <-----Arrived May 30th
3. Pam99 - Scotland (ship int'l)
4. RonOren - UK (ship UK/Europe)
5. hazy_d - Ireland (ship int'l)
6. ukcanaus - Australia (ship int'l)
...
Back to biisbsw

On its way to Vassilka to start off the book ring! Enjoy everyone!

The book is here with me! Thanx biisbsw!

Although one might think that this book is the author's autobiography, in reality it is a novel. However it is more than an novel because it is about a very important issue. It's about the life of an educated coloured man who has a white skin and who struggles to find his place in the USA of the 20's.
Racism is analysed-and that's what I liked- by various people and their discussions created wonderfully by the writer's pen. White men of the South and white men of the North give different opinions about the Civil War. The narrator many times in this book states his point of view upon racism, also what he thinks about the educated and the illiterate "Negros" as well as about the Anglo-Saxon's race .
This book is a treasure and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read it through this bookring!

I've got Icila's address and will be able to post it within this week

Icila wasn't in a hurry to receive the book so a kept it a little longer. I posted it today and now it's on its way to France!

The book arrived today. Thanks for sending and for the lovely card.

Thanks for having let me read this one after Native Son. 2 very different points of view about the race issue.

On its way to Scotland .

book arrived safely today, thanks!

Interesting book about life in the US in the first half of the 20th century... about race and also about class. Glad I read this one!

on its way to RonOren

This arrived a couple of days ago, but I've been rushed off my feet and didn't have time to journal it - apologies for the delay. Thanks for sending this through, pam99. I haven't started it yet, but am quite looking forward to it!

Apologies for the delay in journaling this book - I've finished it a few weeks ago but didn't get around to this before. I really enjoyed this book - it was both enjoyable to read and thought-provoking. I was actually surprised how easy to read it was; I expected something a lot drier and stodgier. I guess that's what sets James Weldon Johnson apart from other writers (or is it that the life and culture he describes lends itself well for joyful narrating?).

One thing struck me as very strange - clearly blacks were still seen second-rate citizens at the time of writing and equally clearly that frustrates the narrator. But he's so casually racist himself about other minorities ("chinaman" comes to mind). I'm not really sure whether that's supposed to be ironic or that it actually reflects the author's attitude. I guess it makes sense to be the latter - casual racism was clearly endemic back then and there's no reason why the author would be exempt. Still, I didn't quite expect it!

All in all, I did certainly enjoy it. Thanks so much for sharing this, biisbsw! I'll get in touch with hazy_d to get the book moving again.

Sent to Nilmini over the weekend. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Arrived on Thursday, sorry for the delay in journaling this book! I'll read this after my current read - looking forward to it! Thanks for sending it to me, RonOren.

I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to read this book. It was interesting to read of a man who does not know exactly where he fits in, and how this influences him. I felt especially sad reading of the moment when he realises he is seated next to his half-sister and father, but could not acknowledge them...

This is now on its way back to biisbsw. Thanks again for sharing this book!

I'm glad everyone had a chance to read this book and enjoyed it. Now back on Mount TBR.