The Fire Next Time by Baldwin, James - 1963

NY: Dial Press, 1963. Uncorrected long galley proof copy. Baldwin's seminal non-fiction text on race in America, here in a rare pre-publication format. The book contains two essays, "My Dungeon Shook: Letter to My Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation" and "Down at the Cross: Letter from a Region of My Mind." The first essay meditates on the position of Black men in American society, from its founding to Baldwin's present moment. Its tone is nurturing yet rife with anger and frustration. The second essay discusses the role of religion both on and in the Black community, with particular attention to the repression Christianity imposes on Black believers. Baldwin uses the Nation of Islam as an explanatory foil for Christianity. Baldwin's passionate and informative points, along with his ability to write lucidly and incisively, continue to resonate with the American public, both white and Black.

Plastic comb binding at head of text, with thick card covers and paper label to upper cover. Mild bumps to corners, a few teeth of comb binding lost, loss to upper two corners of cover label, small nick to upper cover. Near fine.