Josephine Baker (Black Americans of Achievement)

Grade 7-10-- Due to a recent television movie, there may be renewed interest in this multitalented individual who overcame difficult odds to succeed. At the age of 13, dressed in a skirt of bananas, Baker dazzled and riveted her audience in Paris during a performance at the Folies-Bergere. She soon became the toast of European entertainment and enjoyed superstardom as the highest paid entertainer of her era. This was no small feat for a woman who was born in St. Louis in 1906 to a washerwoman and endured a childhood of poverty. This biography probes beneath the glamour, flamboyance, and controversy surrounding this international star to reveal a woman who was a crusader for racial equality and a strong supporter of the Allies' effort during World War II. Schroeder details her subject's early struggles to make a name for herself in the United States and the impact that she had in Europe, a place that allowed her freedom and mobility which--even with her stardom--she was unable to obtain in this country. The author provides a balanced portrayal by relating how personal flaws, poor business decisions, and health problems contributed to Baker's decline in status. Black-and-white photographs appear throughout, some of which strikingly capture the essence of Baker. This biography aptly illustrates how, beneath the sensationalism and immense wealth that later surrounded her, Baker tried to leave a legacy for the world to emulate. --Jeanette Lambert, LaVega School, Waco, TX
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"The fresh design and...new material add up to a welcome new...volume in the essential Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition series."

"The updated format is brightened by added color illustrations... The text is very readable... library media centers...will want to order them... Recommended."