Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth by Wright, Richard - 1945

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1945. First edition. Fine/Near Fine. A lovely, Fine copy of the book in a very nearly Fine dust jacket, with just a few small nicks at the extremities. A book that is rarely found in this condition.

Written in 1943 originally under the title, Black Confession, Black Boy is Richard Wright's acclaimed memoir of his upbringing in Mississippi and early adulthood, culminating in his move up north to Chicago. Native Son had already been published to immense critical and popular acclaim a few years before but it was Black Boy that would cement Wright's place as one of the most influential chroniclers of black America. The book became extremely popular when it was released, selling close to 200,000 copies in its first edition. Black Boy appears on Modern Library's list of the top 100 non-fiction works of the 20th century. " It is powerful, moving and, horrifying. It is certain to be extravagantly praised and roundly condemned. It will be widely read" (Contemporary New York Times Review). Fine in Near Fine dust jacket.