Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul Robeson - Hardcover

by Susan Goldman Rubin (Author)

This comprehensive biography explores the tumultuous and passionate life of activist, singer, and actor Paul Robeson.

When faced with the decision to remain silent or be ostracized, Paul Robeson chose to sing, shout, and speak out. Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul Robeson explores how Robeson's love of African American spirituals and deep empathy towards the suffering of others drove his long, fervent mission as a civil rights activist and his career as an artist. Although he was also an actor, singing was Robeson's defining talent and where he could best express himself. After exploring socialism, Robeson was targeted by the U.S. government for speaking out about discrimination against African Americans and for his political views. He was labeled a communist during the height of the Cold War and found himself stripped of his U.S. passport. But Robeson never gave in and continued to perform and speak out. The book is based on author Susan Goldman Rubin's extensive research, including fieldwork in Harlem, NY, in Princeton and Somerville, NJ, and at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Includes an author's note, resources, source notes, index, and a preface by author Harry Belafonte.

Author Biography

Susan Goldman Rubin grew up in the Bronx and dreamed of becoming an artist. She illustrated her first three picture books, but then turned to writing nonfiction, mainly about art and history. She is the author of more than fifty-five books for young people and lives in Malibu, California, where she has been an instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program for 20 years.