Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes. Edited by Arnold Rampersad & David Roessel; illustrations by Benny Andrews. ISBN # 978-1-4027-1845-8

This compilation of Langston Hughes poetry is a rich portrayal of African American Life in The United States. Enclosed are the most famous of Hughes’ poetry such as, “I, Too”, “The Dream Keeper”, “Harlem”, and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. Each of the poems is accompanied by a Benny Andrews’ illustration that beautifully captures the feeling of each poem.

Both editors of this book are Langston Hughes scholars, and supply an excellent introduction. Also, background knowledge of each poem is supplied to give the reader knowledge of the why and where of each poem. Footnotes are added when necessary. Both of these additions help give the poems a historical context and lead a fuller understanding for younger readers. So often when young people attempt to read poetry for the first time, they are dumbfounded. This is not the case for the poetry of Langston Hughes. His poetry is direct, and the images are easy to comprehend.

This is a highly recommended volume of Langston Hughes poetry. Although he wrote of the life and struggles of African American people, his poetry transcends race with it deep understanding of human issues.