Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
This book is a collection of essays that vividly capture the author's life in Harlem, his travels in Europe, and his views on everything from the sweet music of black church revivals to the biting prejudice of the 'then' contemporary world. It's an exploration of racial, sexual, and class distinctions in both Western societies and the American society. The author's reflections on his experiences as a black man in white America are profoundly insightful and continue to resonate today.
The 775th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 465
Since this book was first published in 1955, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 465.0.
This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.
- score: 111 -- The Modern Library | 100 Best Nonfiction (Weight: 108)
- score: 108 -- The Booklist Century: 100 Books, 100 Years (Weight: 108)
- score: 75 -- The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time (Weight: 75)
- score: 69 -- A Century of Reading (Weight: 69)
- score: 63 -- 100 Major Works of Modern Creative Nonfiction (Weight: 63)
- score: 39 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (Weight: 39)