Paul Robeson: A Biography

Rating:
Summary: Exhaustive history of the man and his century
Review: Duberman does a fine job of chronicling a life that is mirrors many of the struggles of race relations in the 20th century. It is unfortunately all to easy to attempt to place the struggles of bringing the true blessings of liberty to all Americans, regardless of race, in the past. In hindsight, we can see that many totalitarian ideologies were competing for dominance in the past century--some of which still hang on today in various forms. One can't read this book and become an apologist for Robeson's (now judged-in-hindsight) political views, but you can read and learn a great deal of history not just about him, but our nation too. A complex life during a complex century, handled with aplomb by the author. Read it and draw your own conclusions.

Rating:
Summary: The Epic Story of a Talented, Wronged Man
Review: Duberman's biography of one of the pioneers of the civil rights movement and one of the great Americans of the last century is both accessible and academically thorough. Almost one third of the massive book's pages are comprised of endnotes, detailing and commenting on every source. However, the book is easily read straight through by a layperson, due to Duberman's writing style, which maintains objectivity while not merely relegating itself to a listing of historical events (he, at times, intersperses his own interpretations of Robeson's actions and beliefs, while defending those interpretations and not allowing them to cloud his reporting). It is also the powerful, moving story of Robeson that keeps the reader engaged. There ought to be no doubt now, a quarter-century after his death, that Robeson was a true hero, a noble man worthy of his historical vindication. Duberman's book doesn't merely hero worship, it examines the life, points out the flaws (his estranged marriage and infidelities, his steadfast support of Stalin), and gives the reader a chance to examine a life much worth examining.

Rating:
Summary: An American Hero In Black
Review: Duberman's biography of Robeson is excellently researched and well written. A balanced handling of the subject was not a straightforward task; Robeson rarely committed his thoughts to writing and aside from periods of depression in later life he wrote few letters. Duberman relies largely on the writing of his wife Essie, who was a meticulously diarist. As the author points out this is a dangerous strategy; Robeson and his wife had personalities which couldn't have been more different, therefore rely on her descriptions of Paul's thoughts and feelings would be suspect at best. Duberman tackles this challenge by conducting a wide range of interviews with those who knew Paul, thereby presenting a more balanced account of his emotions and motivations.

As far as the factual/chronological points are concerned, Robeson's FBI files, ironically, provides a detailed record to which Duberman refers frequently.

It is a testimony to the ruthless effectiveness of the McCarthy Communist witch hunt that a man like Robeson is not better know to recent generations in America. A linguist, actor, athlete, singer, intellectual, and humanist there are few figures in 20th century America who are his equal. The ironies of his life are striking. Robeson was valedictorian of his Rutgers class, and All-American actor, played Carnegie hall, and toured Europe in an age in which Blacks in America were denied the most basic civil rights. Had his affinity for Soviet culture and socialism not put him at odds with the America's post WWII anti-Red hysteria, Robeson would likely have been one of the giants of the Civil Rights movement. Robeson truly was a man ahead of his time - a radical in a time in which the Black elite was promoting patience and working "within the system".

Was Robeson a Communist? He certainly identified with his own idealized view of the "people's struggle" which was occurring in the Soviet Union (a view which, as Duberman describes, was often at odds with the facts.) To call Robeson a Communist in many aspects would be correct; he sympathized with the cause and was vexed that Black American soldiers would fight against the Soviet Union while at home they were denied their basic rights. But even the FBI's decades-long effort to link Robeson formally with the party met with failure. We have no evidence that Robeson a card-carrying member of the Communist Party.

Robeson's Communist leanings are a complex part of his story. When Nikita Khruschev declared to the world the crimes of Stalin's purges Robeson was undoubtedly greatly effected. However, Robeson never commented, even in private to those with whom he was intimate - we don't know what he thought or how he felt. Duberman is unable to fill in the blanks and resists the temptation to do so; he simply chronicles Robeson's subsequent decline into clinical depression and ill health.

A well written biography of one of 20th century America's most interesting figures.

Rating:
Summary: Job Well Done
Review: I rate Paul Robeson: a Biography a perfect ten because there are no decimals in the rating system allowing for a nine point five, and the point five from perfection would come only from trivial nit pickings that amount to my desire to never have it end. Duberman, through obviously painstaking research (despite the voluminous material afforded him via Robeson's archives and the Freedom of Information Act's allowing for the research of FBI surveillance files) creates a portrait both panoramic in scope and theme and highly, meticulously detailed. He reaffirms the truism truth is stranger than fiction- and more exhilirating- by bringing us to an intimate knowledge of the many worlds of Paul Robeson- stage and screen actor, concert hall singer, athlete, academician, lawyer, linguist, political/quasi-communist/Civil Rights revolutionary, African-American youngest son of an Episcopal minister- in such a way as to have us be part of the childlike sloughing off of arrogance and ignorance that is the first step in an initiation; an initiation to the higher mysteries of knowledge of the human character and spirit in the context of the modern world; the path Duberman's incredible skill as a writer and biographer clearly shows he has taken. He shows his profound love and respect for the man and his influence of and on American culture by staring unflinchingly at everything from his sexual proclivities and many mistresses to his powerful intellect and international appeal, to his consistent challenging of the prevailing moral schizophrenia of pre-Civil Rights movement America and the subsequent ruination of his career and sanity- all within the context of his familial and cultural ties and his immense talent. Duberman makes one of many things abundantly clear: no nerve on the body politic and the cultural fabric of twentieth century American society was not touched- often wrung, by the tenacity, stubborness, courage, love and immense talent of the many avatars of Paul Robeson. It is impossible to simplify o! r romanticize a life so profoundly influential and complex without ultimately obscuring the very heroic character one- whether they liked him or not- would be attempting to portray. Duberman, in refusing to do so succeeds brilliantly. I felt deeply personally cleansed as well as enlightened about a figure whose influence I now understand has been purposely footnoted into history, as well as why he was, and shouldn't be anymore. Duberman gives a Nietzschean "Ubermensch" rendering of Paul Robeson that every human being- particularly every kind of American- will find gloriously, uncomfortably, provocatively and simultaneously both tragic and triumphant. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book on Paul we'll ever get...
Review: Martin Duberman presents an exhaustive, objective examination of the awesomely talented, psychologically complex, and perhaps politically naive Robeson. I am white, and grew up in a racist family, but from the moment I heard Paul Robeson's recording of "Get On Board, Little Children" I was hooked. I was only 14, but that song, less than 90 seconds long, launched me on a journey away from bigotry that is still proceding, 43 years later. I fell in thrall to the voice, ended up owning 11 vinyl albums and reading everything by and about him I could. His defense of Stalin-era Communism is stubborn and troubling, but there is no disputing his importance as a fighter for civil rights before it was fashionable. I am not sure how those of us who were not yet adults in the '40's and '50's can fairly judge the politics of the man...especially those of us who are not Afro-American. I prefer to let his controversial politics take a backseat to his pioneer acting and singing. This was a real MAN, who could hold a stage with only his voice and his charisma and his talent, making white, affluent audiences listen to negro spirituals, union songs, Chinese and Russian and German songs, and like it. Robeson was glorious and tragic, brilliant and flawed, courageous but sometimes selfish, furious often and yet capable of the most tender lullabies. One of the most fascinating American lives of the 20th Century. Professor Duberman has done great work with this book. If Robeson interests you, buy it and read it. I'm glad I did.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book on Paul we'll ever get...
Review: Martin Duberman presents an exhaustive, objective examination of the awesomely talented, psychologically complex, and perhaps politically naive Robeson. I am white, and grew up in a racist family, but from the moment I heard Paul Robeson's recording of "Get On Board, Little Children" I was hooked. I was only 14, but that song, less than 90 seconds long, launched me on a journey away from bigotry that is still proceding, 43 years later. I fell in thrall to the voice, ended up owning 11 vinyl albums and reading everything by and about him I could. His defense of Stalin-era Communism is stubborn and troubling, but there is no disputing his importance as a fighter for civil rights before it was fashionable. I am not sure how those of us who were not yet adults in the '40's and '50's can fairly judge the politics of the man...especially those of us who are not Afro-American. I prefer to let his controversial politics take a backseat to his pioneer acting and singing. This was a real MAN, who could hold a stage with only his voice and his charisma and his talent, making white, affluent audiences listen to negro spirituals, union songs, Chinese and Russian and German songs, and like it. Robeson was glorious and tragic, brilliant and flawed, courageous but sometimes selfish, furious often and yet capable of the most tender lullabies. One of the most fascinating American lives of the 20th Century. Professor Duberman has done great work with this book. If Robeson interests you, buy it and read it. I'm glad I did.

Rating:
Summary: An unrepentant Stalinist to the very end
Review: The best review so far of a man who was without a doubt the outstanding intellect of the 20th century. All Americans should read this book, especially the young, as ignorance of this man and his accomplishments is a sad comment on our culture. His outstanding accomplishments stand the test of time despite being hounded by racism and McCarthyism. The only criticism - I would have liked to have seen the Peekskill riots explored in greater depth. I would urge everyone to do themselves a favor and educate themselves about this man.

Rating:
Summary: An American Hero In Black
Review: There are two recent biographies in my library that I am proud to own above almost all others: David Levering Lewis' two volume biography of W.E.B. DuBois and Mr. Duberman's biography of Paul Robeson. Despite the fanatical rantings of would be fascists that Robeson was a communist, Robeson was an American hero in the truest sense and in the best tradition. He was a man who recognized that all of his remarkable achievements could be destroyed by his persistent public demands that the United States live up to its proclamations of being the land of liberty in a Cold War environment of paranoia, hypocrisy, persecution, and oppression of dissenters by actively and effectively addressing the grievances of its Afro American citizens. He was a genius who sacrificed his most productive years in the cause of civil rights and justice for those who, it must be remembered, were being segregated, lynched, disenfranchised, economically exploited, stereotyped, and humiliated in every area of American society throughout most of Robeson's lifetime. Robeson courageously kept common cause with his people---and not just those who shared his color---when his successes allowed him every opportunity to serve only his own personal interests in comfort for the rest of his life.

Duberman does more than offer a biography of Robeson;he presents a biography of Robeson's times and environment that clearly demonstrates how his passion for justice and the realization of the American Dream for EVERY citizen was constantly reinforced by the events occurring around him, two examples of which are the Scottsboro Boys case and the failure of the United States government to adopt anti-lynching legislation. Duberman does not gloss over Robeson's conflicts over revelations that the ideal communist state had become a Stalinist nightmare but presents the information in such a fashion that the reader might reach his or her own conclusions. My conclusion was that Robeson's failing, if it is that, was that he could not abandon his commitment to the ideals of equality, brotherhood, and justice claimed by the Communist Party as a reality in the Soviet Union until and unless the United States realized those ideals regarding its own Afro American citizens, its poor, and its workers. Like many other prominent Americans of the time, Robeson was seduced by a hope for a dream of Marxist, as opposed to Leninist/Stalinist, communism. Unlike many of those Americans, Robeson remained faithful to the dream despite the reality. Even giants have flaws and Duberman carefully and fairly documents Robeson's. Condemning Robeson for holding fast to his increasingly desperate dream of social justice realized somewhere on the planet---as was also the case with DuBois---may serve the myopic political agenda of some who would never dream of condemning, say, Charles Lindbergh for his racist views and unabashed support for Nazi Germany or Henry Ford for his notorious anti-semitism, but it is a biased and extremely limited assessment of a hugely gifted man all too aware of the limitations placed upon millions of American citizens solely because of their color.

Despite the efforts of the FBI, the State Department, Joseph McCarthy, the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and others, no evidence has ever been presented to demonstrate that Robeson ever became a member of the Communist Party unlike DuBois who, in his NINETIES, formally joined the Communist Party only after being subjected to the machinations of the agencies of the United States government to block his return to the United States and as a last defiant gesture to those who attempted to silence him.

Duberman's biography is the tragic and inspiring story of an American hero in black who represents some of the finest qualities America has to offer the world: He fought for the right in the face of overwhelming and insurmountable odds, submitted his talents and careers to the flame of anti-communist hysteria, suffered at the hands of the government of HIS country with dignity, and never stopped believing in the attainment of the American Dream of equality and social justice that was the driving force behind his politics. I can think of many historical Americans who are held up to us as "heroes" and are far less deserving of the characterization than Paul Robeson.

Paul Robeson is not and will not be forgotten. Martin Duberman has done much to demonstrate that we cannot afford to forget this man. And those who offer obviously knee-jerk criticisms of Robeson should at least have the decency to read the book.