Download Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other PDF Free ePUB

Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance image

Overview

Review

Comments

Download PDF

A brilliant, lively account of the Black Renaissance that burst forth in Pittsburgh from the 1920s through the 1950s—“Smoketown will appeal to anybody interested in black history and anybody who loves a good story…terrific, eminently readable…fascinating” (The Washington Post). Today black Pittsburgh is known as the setting for August Wilson’s famed plays about noble, but doomed, working-class citizens. But this community once had an impact on American history that rivaled the far larger black worlds of Harlem and Chicago. It published the most widely read black newspaper in the country, urging black voters to switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, and then rallying black support for World War II. It fielded two of the greatest baseball teams of the Negro Leagues and introduced Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Pittsburgh was the childhood home of jazz pioneers Billy Strayhorn, Billy Eckstine, Earl Hines, Mary Lou Williams, and Erroll Garner; Hall of Fame slugger Josh Gibson—and August Wilson himself. Some of the most glittering figures of the era were changed forever by the time they spent in the city, from Joe Louis and Satchel Paige to Duke Ellington and Lena Horne. Mark Whitaker’s Smoketown is a “rewarding trip to a forgotten special place and time” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). It depicts how ambitious Southern migrants were drawn to a steel-making city on a strategic river junction; how they were shaped by its schools and a spirit of commerce with roots in the Gilded Age; and how their world was eventually destroyed by industrial decline and urban renewal. “Smoketown brilliantly offers us a chance to see this other Black Renaissance and spend time with the many luminaries who sparked it…It’s thanks to such a gifted storyteller as Whitaker that this forgotten chapter of American history can finally be told in all its vibrancy and glory” (The New York Times Book Review).

Details e-book Smoketown

🗸 Author(s): Mark Whitaker
🗸 Title: Smoketown: The Untold Story of the Other Great Black Renaissance
🗸 Rating : 4.7 from 5 stars (165 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about Smoketown by Mark Whitaker

Haileigh Campbell
Immerse yourself in the magical world of fairy tales with this enchanting collection of stories from around the world. From classic folklore to lesser-known myths, each tale is a timeless reminder of the power of storytelling. With its beautiful illustrations and captivating narratives, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages.

Ronae Berry
Delve into the pages of this captivating novel, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur in a mesmerizing tale of magic and adventure. Set in a world where anything is possible, the story follows a group of unlikely heroes as they embark on a quest to save their kingdom from darkness. With its richly imagined world and engaging characters, this book is sure to enchant readers of all ages.

Chesslie Miller
This gripping true crime narrative offers a chilling glimpse into the minds of some of history's most notorious criminals. From cold-blooded killers to master con artists, each chapter delves into the twisted motives and methods of these infamous individuals. With its riveting storytelling and meticulous research, this book is a must-read for armchair detectives and true crime enthusiasts alike.