Hattie: The Life of Hattie McDaniel

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening&respectful bio of an overlooked entertainer
Review: Carlton Jackson has done a concise, literate job delving into the life and work of Hattie McDaniel. Not only do you get a clear sense of who she was and her talent as a performer, but also of the context and times in which she lived. Jackson sheds much-needed light on a seldom-seen side of Hollywood - the black side - as well as the struggles between commerce & equality that still exist today. Reading about the NAACP protests against Hollywood vis a vis lack of opportunities for blacks is like reading today's headlines. But more importantly, getting a proper sense of who Hattie McDaniel was and her professional legacy are the primary reasons to read this book.