"In Boggs' hands, Baldwin's life story feels complete." (FULL REVIEW)
★ STARRED REVIew "[A] vibrant new biography. . . . A dynamic portrait that deepens our understanding of a complex artist." (FULL REVIEW)
★ STARRED REVIew "The life of James Baldwin is told through four of his intimate relationships in the standout debut biography from independent scholar Boggs . . . The author’s rigorous research, including interviews with Cazac, makes for an impressive portrait of Baldwin’s life and work. It’s a fascinating and original window into the private world of one of America’s greatest writers." (FULL REVIEW)
★ STARRED REVIew “In this comprehensive, emotional biography, Boggs positions Baldwin’s romantic history squarely at the center of his literary and political work, chronicling the parallel developments in Baldwin’s art and in his relationships . . . [A] rich and complex look at a writer who exemplifies the impossibility of separating the personal from the political.”-Lesley Williams (FULL REVIEW)
“A well-written, easy-flowing biography…it shows how much of his life is revealed in his work.” (FULL REVIEW)
"An impressive and kaleidoscopic exploration of Baldwin's origins, his intellectual and artistic evolution, and the ever-expanding ripples of his influence across tumultuous artistic and political landscapes.... A biography of immense scope and profound insight that deepens our understanding of Baldwin and his work.... This is an indispensable companion to the ever-relevant legacy of James Baldwin." (FULL REVIEW)
