R.J. Smith has been a senior editor at Los Angeles Magazine, a contributor to Blender, a columnist for The Village Voice, a staff writer for Spin, and has written for GQ, New York Times Magazine, Elle, and Men's Vogue. His book The One: The Life and Music of James Brown was among the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2012. Smith lives with his wife and daughter in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Well-observed. --Esquire, - Sprinkled with subtle touches of poetic discourse and [Smith's] deeply felt passion and admiration for Frank's work, this book is a page-turning emotional delight. --Kirkus, - One of [Smith's] most interesting books, by far. --Buffalo News, - An absorbing study of an enigmatic but engaging artist who still has much to say. --Library Journal, - A comprehensive biography...Smith deliver[s] a multidimensional portrait of a man best known for depicting others. --Booklist, - American Witness is a definitive portrait of a singular artist and the country that he saw, making it unreservedly recommended. --Midwest Book Review, - American Witness anecdotally demonstrates Frank's far reaching influence. Smith's skills as a storyteller make this an engaging journey. --PopMatters, -