As a young man in the late 1800s, James Weldon Johnson was profoundly influenced by the sermons he heard by the renowned black preachers of the day. Later in life, he transformed his memories into magnificent poems about Creation, the Flood, the Crucifixion, the Prodigal Son, Noah’s Ark, Judgment Day, and other stories from the Bible. Published in 1927, during the Harlem Renaissance, God’s Trombones became one of Johnson’s most celebrated works.
In the early 1990s, several of New York City’s most prominent African-American ministers gave voice to Johnson’s words for a PBS broadcast. Now available for the first time on CD, this celebration of one of the great literary achievements of the Harlem Renaissance features moving performances by actor Joe Morton (Brother From Another Planet, actor Robert Earl Jones (father of James), and Reverend Calvin O. Butts of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, among others.
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"This book of poems spoke to me in ways incommunicable. I believe this book of poetry played a very big part in the unfolding of my understanding of the way all stories are told." — Frank (4 out of 5 stars)
"This book of poems spoke to me in ways incommunicable. I believe this book of poetry played a very big part in the unfolding of my understanding of the way all stories are told."
" I really enjoyed this. There are some striking phrases here -- e.g. "your arm's too short to box with God." "
" These wonderful poems have long been favorites of mine. James Weldon Johnson was a true scholar and artist. "
" What an incredible book of sermons! The imagery is incredible! loved this book, have read it twice so far "
" It was like being in church (and suddenly made me wish to go). "
" This is a marvelous little book. The sermons were some I had heard as a child, and they were such an inspiration to me. This book is a treasure. "
" Beautiful. Heart-stirring. "
" These Preachers used all their senses to tell God's stories. Sermon delivery is emotional and powerful; oh how I wish I could hear these firsthand. "
" Darn good book of poems. makes me wish I were a Sunday school teacher just for the opportunity to read it aloud publically. "
" The foreword by Henry Louis Gates Jr (Penguin Edition) is also worth checking out. "
" It was for a African American based english class and I thought it was pretty good. "
" Although the language is traditional, inspiration sermonic verse. "
" This book is very, very good. "
" This is a very interesting work of seven black sermons done in verse. "
" A beautiful dedication to the Black Southern preacher. James Weldon Johnson poetic verses are quite inspirational. "
James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. James is remembered best for his leadership within the NAACP, as well as for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore. His most famous book is The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. He also published The Book of American Negro Spirituals, Black Manhattan, and Negro Americans, What Now? One of the first African American professors at New York University, James also served as a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University.
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