Synopsis
The work of one of the most formidable figures in American intellectual life."
-- Washington Post Book World
The seventeen essays collected in this volume prove that Ralph Ellison was not only one of America's most dazzlingly innovative novelists but perhaps also our most perceptive and iconoclastic commentator on matters of literature, culture, and race. In Going to the Territory, Ellison provides us with dramatically fresh readings of William Faulkner and Richard Wright, along with new perspectives on the music of Duke Ellington and the art of Romare Bearden. He analyzes the subversive quality of black laughter, the mythic underpinnings of his masterpiece Invisible Man, and the extent to which America's national identity rests on the contributions of African Americans. Erudite, humane, and resounding with humor and common sense, the result is essential Ellison.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
one of the most formidable figures in American intellectual life."
-- Washington Post Book World
The seventeen essays collected in this volume prove that Ralph Ellison was not only one of America's most dazzlingly innovative novelists but perhaps also our most perceptive and iconoclastic commentator on matters of literature, culture, and race. In Going to the Territory, Ellison provides us with dramatically fresh readings of William Faulkner and Richard Wright, along with new perspectives on the music of Duke Ellington and the art of Romare Bearden. He analyzes the subversive quality of black laughter, the mythic underpinnings of his masterpiece Invisible Man, and the extent to which America's national identity rests on the contributions of African Americans. Erudite, humane, and resounding with humor and common sense, the result is essential Ellison.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Reviews
A new book by the author of Invisible Man is always a welcome event. Like Ellison's Shadow and Act , this collection of essays, addresses, and reviews deals with topics in literature, music, and race relations. "Remembering Richard Wright," "Homage to Duke Ellington on His Birthday," and "What America Would Be Like Without the Blacks" are among the essays included. While most of these essays have appeared previously, reprinting them here is nevertheless useful. When read together, they resonate off one another, reinforcing Ellison's emphasis on what blacks and whites share rather than on their differences. Throughout, Ellison tries to view American culture as a cloth of one piece. His analysis of the growth of that culture, and of the dynamic interaction of the diverse elements within it, is perceptive and convincing. Highly recommended. William Gargan, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., CUNY
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Going to the Territory
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Random House (edition 1), 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Hardcover. Condition: Fair. 1. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way. Seller Inventory # 0394540506-7-1
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Going to the Territory
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Condition: Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # I12A-03686
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Going to the Territory
Seller: Goodwill Books, Hillsboro, OR, U.S.A.
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Condition: acceptable. Fairly worn, but readable and intact. If applicable: Dust jacket, disc or access code may not be included. Seller Inventory # GICWV.0394540506.A
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Going to the Territory
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Random House, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. first Edition stated with correct number sequence for this publisher and year. In cream boards with blue spine cloth and gilt to type. Faint moisture stains to bottom of spine and small spots to bottoms of front endpapers. Some foxing to top page ends. Clean interior and solid binding. Jacket is unclipped and glossy with moisture stain to bottom inside of spine with a tiny amount to adjacent edges of panels - barely visible from outsde. 1st Printing. Seller Inventory # LPB011418RE
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Going to the Territory
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Seller: ThriftBooksVintage, Tukwila, WA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First edition THUS. Minor shelf and handling wear, overall a clean solid copy with minimal signs of use. Boards betray fading and nicks and other signs of wear and imperfection commensurate with age. Binding is tight and structurally sound. Pages without any extraneous marks. New mylar added to ensure future enjoyment. Secure packaging for safe delivery. Seller Inventory # 1565561619
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Going to the Territory
Published by
Random House, 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: ThriftBooksVintage, Tukwila, WA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First edition THUS. Minor shelf and handling wear, overall a clean solid copy with minimal signs of use. Boards betray fading and nicks and other signs of wear and imperfection commensurate with age. Binding is tight and structurally sound. Pages without any extraneous marks. New mylar added to ensure future enjoyment. Secure packaging for safe delivery. Seller Inventory # 1565563279
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Going to the Territory
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Random House, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Seller: BIBLIOPE by Calvello Books, Oakland, CA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine(-). First edition (stated). Octavo in blue-white DJ, 338 pages; 22 cm. Ten essays, lectures, personal reminiscences, and interviews. Contents: The little man at Chehaw Station -- On initiation rites and power: Ralph Ellison speaks at West Point -- What these children are like -- The myth of the flawed white Southerner -- If the twain shall meet -- What America would be like without blacks -- Portrait of Inman Page: a dedication speech -- Going to the territory -- An extravagance of laughter -- Remembering Richard Wright -- Homage to Duke Ellington on his birthday -- The art of Romare Bearden -- Society, morality, and the novel -- "A very stern discipline" -- The novel as a function of American democracy -- Perspective of literature. Ellison, Ralph -- Authorship, Essays. Extremely mild rubbing to spine head and foot, extremely gently rubbed corners, light soiling mark to boards, bright pages in tight binding, extremely light soiling to DJ, else Near Fine(-) in Near Fine(-) DJ. Seller Inventory # 91231
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Going to the Territory
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hardcover, Condition: Good, Random House, NY, c.1986, 2nd.prtg., 8vo., hardcover, 338pp., G/G $. Seller Inventory # 105213
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Going to the territory
Published by
Random House, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Seller: Bolerium Books Inc., San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. 338p., very good first edition stated with Random House number line ending in 2 as called for in first printings, hardcover bound in quarter-cloth boards and bright, unclipped dust jacket. A companion to the 1964 "Shadow and Act" collection. All new since the publication of the earlier book. Seller Inventory # 30611
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Going to the Territory
Published by
Random House, New York, 1986
ISBN 10: 0394540506
ISBN 13: 9780394540504
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Seller: Monroe Street Books, Middlebury, VT, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 338 pages. Light edgewear to dust jacket protected by mylar cover. Overall, a tight clean copy. Record # 458847. Seller Inventory # 458847