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Name: Amazon.com: The Big Sea (American Century Series): 9780809015498: Hughes, Langston: Books
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Rating: 4.6 (347 reviews)

Langston Hughes

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The Big Sea (American Century Series) Paperback – August 1, 1993

by Langston Hughes (Author)

347 ratings

Part of: American Century (8 books)

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"This book is the chronicle of a bright and lively artistic ear that brought the African-American people full into the twentieth century. It is a wonderful book!” ―Amiri Baraka

In his incisive introduction to The Big Sea, an American classic, Arnold Rampersad writes: "This is American writing at its best--simpler than Hemingway; as simple and direct as that of another Missouri-born writer...Mark Twain."

Langston Hughes, born in 1902, came of age early in the 1920s. In The Big Sea he recounts those memorable years in the two great playgrounds of the decade--Harlem and Paris. In Paris he was a cook and waiter in nightclubs. He knew the musicians and dancers, the drunks and dope fiends. In Harlem he was a rising young poet--at the center of the "Harlem Renaissance."

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“Langston Hughes is the Jazz Poet! The constant communicator of Blues. He is the singer, philosopher, the folk and urban lyricist. This book is the chronicle of a bright and lively artistic ear that brought the African-American people full into the twentieth century. It is a wonderful book!” ―Amiri Baraka

About the Author

Langston Hughes (1902-67) was born in Joplin, Missouri, was educated at Lincoln University, and lived for most of his life in New York City. He is best known as a poet, but he also wrote novels, biography, history, plays, and children's books. Among his works are two volumes of memoirs, The Big Sea and I Wonder as I Wander, and two collections of Simple stories, The Best of Simple and The Return of Simple.

Arnold Rampersad, Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature at Princeton University, is the author of The Life of Langston Hughes and editor of The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hill and Wang; Second edition (August 1, 1993)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 335 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0809015498
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0809015498
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1090L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1 x 7.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #228,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #39 in Black & African American Literary Criticism (Books)
- #817 in Black & African American Biographies
- #821 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)

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347 ratings

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Langston Hughes

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James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri.

He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the negro was in vogue", which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue".

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Carl Van Vechten [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

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347 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a fantastic read, with one noting it's written in short story format. They appreciate the author's writing style and consider him a wonderful poet. The autobiography is described as a completely surprising adventure, with one customer highlighting its masterful account of the Harlem Renaissance. Customers value the book's informative content, providing deep insights into its subject matter.

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Readability Writing style Poetry Story quality Era Information content

25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one mentioning that each chapter reads like a short story.

"It is a good book about an important member of the Harlem Renaissance in the 20's in NY" Read more

"Loved it. I thought that even if Langston was not totally candid, he was honest enough to let his basic personality shine through...." Read more

"...He tells the story of his life by giving us delightful episodes that each read like short stories...." Read more

"...L Hughes overcame a lot and it was a pleasure to read about his travels and the harlem renaisance. My brother, rest in power." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing style"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with one customer noting it's written in the first person and another mentioning it helps understand the author's poems.

"...His writing is colorful and brings vivid imagery to your mind. I was really amazed by all he had done, places he traveled to & work he did...." Read more

"...The writing is bright and energetic and the book is very difficult to put down...." Read more

"read this over the weekend. very friendly and personal. articulate. felt connected to the brother...." Read more

"...I like his style of writing. There is connection with him and his characters, yet a very well laid sense of objectivity in a very tumultuous time...." Read more

5 customers mention "Poetry"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the poet's work, with one describing it as witty.

"Langston Hughes was a wonderful poet and story teller so it is not surprising that his autobiography/memoir is a joy to read...." Read more

"...ago, it provides a sanitized glimpse into the life of this iconic American poet...." Read more

"This expansive, witty, completely surprising autobiography is one of the best books about a young writer in search of himself and his voice since..." Read more

"Hughes is a Great Poet & This is One of best autobiographies of all time! RQQ" Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the stories in the book, describing it as an adventure and a completely surprising autobiography.

"Langston Hughes was a wonderful poet and story teller so it is not surprising that his autobiography/memoir is a joy to read...." Read more

"An amazing autobiography of such a rich life of a young black man in virtually every scenario one could think of. I like his style of writing...." Read more

"This expansive, witty, completely surprising autobiography is one of the best books about a young writer in search of himself and his voice since..." Read more

"...This book is an adventure and will help you understand his poems." Read more

3 customers mention "Era"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of the Harlem Renaissance, with one customer describing it as masterful, and another finding the Paris years fascinating.

"...His account of the Harlem Renaissance is masterful, but there's so much more. The struggle for racial respect is relatable and never ends...." Read more

"This is by far my favorite book, about my favorite period of time: The Harlem Renaissance!..." Read more

"...Hughes but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his life and the Harlem Renaissance...." Read more

3 customers mention "Information content"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and say it provides deep insights.

"liked the very good condition of the book and the information contained therein" Read more

"Fantastic read! This book gives you a deep insight into the life of author Langston Hughes and the struggles of an African American man in American..." Read more

"Adventurous, informative and stimulating reading..." Read more

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Linda L Coda
The Big Sea
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025
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It is a good book about an important member of the Harlem Renaissance in the 20's in NY

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Deborah D. Sitton
Awesome book if interested in Langston Hughes, the genius of an American writer.
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
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Langston Hughes like so many others who define the American Canon of literature greatness is defined as a Negro Writer, labeled because he's black. Because he's black, his death in 1967 Black America was a tremendous loss or so some say today. HE will live forever.

It was he along with other writers that help me grow, live and be happy in this American culture, acculturation of culture, murder, barbarianism, racism, disdain for a people she enslaved, beat, raped, incarcerated for wrongs never committed, still harbors a hate-rage relationship with those of us who were sent here by our African connections into the slave trade. We still share the humiliation of being bonded into this horrible state. However, we got through it became great inventors, authors, doctors.

Racism instead of helping make America a greater political economy uses divide and conquer to keep people homeless, destitute and mentally, many physically enslaved. But there are those of us who are not enslaved, we're free. I thank Langston Hughes for my freedom. No matter where we are demonized and still mentally raped until this very day.

Its not up to us to make anyone's wrongs right. I love Langston Hughes as he details his journey, his specific personal journey in many of his stories created the magic of our existence.

He, as does James Baldwin share grounded characteristics in basic content for a black American life in such different ways, it's another essay to describe the author's individual personality and element that makes a black American, especially if a slave descendant, whole.

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15 people found this helpful

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Patti
Langston Hughes, The Big Sea
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2013
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I love autobiographies and how they can take you into another world. This book did exactly that; it left me with a greater understanding of the times that Langston Hughes lived. He wrote in depth about how he wrote certain poems, what brought them to life in his mind. His writing is colorful and brings vivid imagery to your mind. I was really amazed by all he had done, places he traveled to & work he did. His comparison of the way he was treated as a black man in America, compared to Mexico, Europe, and Africa is eye opening. You really feel like you know Langston Hughes after reading this book.

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4 people found this helpful

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Gabriella West
A quirky masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
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Loved it. I thought that even if Langston was not totally candid, he was honest enough to let his basic personality shine through. There was so much I didn't know! The Paris years were absolutely fascinating. I love that he stressed his working-class background and downplayed his hobnobbing with the literati. I am not sure it's fair to call him a closeted gay man; he writes nonchalantly of going to brothels. The fact that he was only 5'4" in height explains a lot, though of course he never mentions it. (I thought of him as a "big man" while reading the book... It's funny.) His account of the Harlem Renaissance is masterful, but there's so much more. The struggle for racial respect is relatable and never ends. What really got to me was his hand-to-mouth youth. Don't miss this memoir.

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2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
A wonderful memoir
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2003
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Langston Hughes was a wonderful poet and story teller so it is not surprising that his autobiography/memoir is a joy to read. He tells the story of his life by giving us delightful episodes that each read like short stories. Each chapter has the structure of a short story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Along the way, the reader has to be amazed at the texture and breadth of his life adventures. He lives for a short time in Mexico with his father, in several cities with his mother and other relatives, and then his wonderful sea going adventures in Europe, Africa, and also his stay in Paris. The reader also gets a first hand glimpse of what it was like to be "Negro" in America as well as in other places in the world. The writing is bright and energetic and the book is very difficult to put down. I highly recommend it to anyone who might be thinking about writing an autobiography or memoir.

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16 people found this helpful

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j
one of the greatest friendliest reads 11/2018
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
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read this over the weekend. very friendly and personal. articulate. felt connected to the brother. not too much has changed on the color lines and white supremacy in states, and applaud other parts of the world for looking at black men as human vs states daily trying to dehumanize them. not all whites are racist, but white supremacy I think is used as a distraction and to intentionally anger us. L Hughes overcame a lot and it was a pleasure to read about his travels and the harlem renaisance. My brother, rest in power.

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10 people found this helpful

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coloredgirl
Adventurous, informative and stimulating reading
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2013
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An amazing autobiography of such a rich life of a young black man in virtually every scenario one could think of. I like his style of writing. There is connection with him and his characters, yet a very well laid sense of objectivity in a very tumultuous time. Great reading for history buffs interested in the black experience during World War on and the contrasts of thoughts on African Americans from a European, African and American standpoint. Well Done

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Abou Fall
A Somewhat guarded account of the life of a great American Poet.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2015
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If you don't know much about the life of Langston, then this is a good place to start. Written over 50 years ago, it provides a sanitized glimpse into the life of this iconic American poet. He is skillful not to revealing to many details of his personal life while at the same time giving the reader insight into some key events that helped shape the man we have come to know. Langston was a complicated young man who, from this account, spent a number of years just trying to find himself and his place in society. His writing was more inspired by the down times than by the up times and his adventures both here and abroad far exceeded what I would have expected from a young black many of his day. I would recommend this book for High School reading and discussion, and encourage young adults to give thought and discussion to how Langston was willing to take some calculated chances and explore the world beyond what lay before him.

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14 people found this helpful

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Luigi Mazzoni
Great Book!
Reviewed in Italy on July 19, 2016
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I always loved Langston Hughes poems and this book gave me a better understanding of the person himself. A very easy and enjoyable read from one of America's greatest literary icons. Highly recomended not only persons who enjoy african-american literature but to those that appreciate the observations of a true humanitarian person!

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The Brixtonian
Nonchalant and Unembittered Writing ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2012
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Langston Hughes has pulled off the impossible by writing an autobiography that appeals to many.

By his own admission, Hughes wanted to avoid the norm of writing about the embittered, violent and cynical
feelings of black people in troublesome and turbulent times; yet, 'The Big Sea' still packs a punch and keeps
the reader enthralled.

His prose throughout the book is endearing. I did not think I would enjoy this book at all, but once I had read
about the trials and tribulations with his father, and his successes through the time of the 'black renaissance',
I was completely hooked.

Langston Hughes was also a popular poet, he once chimed:

I swear to the Lord
I still can't see
Why democracy means
Everybody but me.

If you want to read about an extraordinary life - though troubled - you can be rest assured, that this book will not disappoint!

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crustycronkite
海のように広い心を持つ詩人の自伝。
Reviewed in Japan on June 21, 2003
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ハーレムのシェイクスピアと呼ばれ、二十世紀を代表する詩人/作家の一人であるラングストン・ヒューズ氏の自伝である。
　貧困と人種差別にあえぎつつ詩人を目指していたヒューズ青年は、文学への逃避と決別し、本当の世界を見るために、商船の乗務員となって世界を旅する。
　まさに青春の書。「ヘミングェイより簡素な文体だ」と称されるだけあってヒューズ氏の文章はとても読みやすい。そしてユーモアもたっぷりで、読んでいて楽しい。続編の"I Wonder As I Wander"もさらに冒険たっぷりで、日本に訪れた時のことも書かれている。
　ヒューズ氏は相手がどんな人種であれ温かく受け入れる人だったが、この旅でたくさんのことを学んだのだろう。
　この人は素晴らしい人生を送ったのだな。

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Naomi
Wonderful insight into Langston's life and thoughts
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2022
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I feel I know a lot more about Langston and his struggles, influences and his strength and passion after reading this. I only wish he were alive, lol, so I could ask him many more questions about specific areas of his life he discussed. Very enjoyable read.

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Amazon Customer
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2017
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Ok!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Nonchalant and Unembittered Writing ...

5.0 out of 5 stars 海のように広い心を持つ詩人の自伝。

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insight into Langston's life and thoughts

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Great Book!

Nonchalant and Unembittered Writing ...

海のように広い心を持つ詩人の自伝。

Wonderful insight into Langston's life and thoughts

Five Stars