Chester B. Himes

Comprehensive. -- Alex Belth - Esquire Jackson's book-big, intelligent and unflinching-is what literary biography looks like when it's done right. -- Kevin Canfield - San Francisco Chronicle Makes a convincing case for a writer who's always been something of a tough sell. . . . Jackson memorably characterizes Himes' great gifts as a writer. -- Maureen Corrigan - NPR Fascinating. . . . Jackson [is] a fluid writer. -- Thomas Chatterton Williams - Harper's Magazine Chester B. Himes is a bracing journey through the life of an uncompromising writer. -- Michael P. Jeffries - New York Times Book Review A riveting, one-of-a-kind tale of a writer who saw the subject of race from odd, revealing angles. -- Clifford Thompson - Wall Street Journal Dr. Jackson has presented a much needed view of an important Harlem writer. I had the pleasure of knowing Chester and most of the folk he knew. He was fun. He was good looking. And he was a wonderful story teller. Chester struggled, as most writers do, with being himself. But when he opened the special door to `Chester,' we all could peep inside to a special genius. He was old and I quite young when we met. He had a flashlight to let me see the way down what could have been a dark road. Chester Himes is to writing what Miles Davis is to the trumpet, what John Coltrane is to the saxophone, what lips are to love. I am so glad this research has been completed. Chester deserves this sun to cast his shadow over the library that is the hope of black Americans. -- Nikki Giovanni