Letters to Gil: A Luminous Memoir of Racism, Life in the Care System and the Power of Discovering Music under the Mentorship of Gil Scott-Heron ? with a Foreword from Lemn Sissay
Language: English
Published by William Collins, 2021
- First Edition
- Signed
- Hardcover
- New





Seller: The Peculiar Old Cat and Fiddle Bookshop, Bronx, NY, U.S.A.The Peculiar Old Cat and Fiddle Bookshop
AbeBooks seller since May 31, 2018
Condition: New
US$ 79.95
Quantity: 3 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
William Collins, London, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, 2021, SIGNED by Malik on the title page. Hardcover with dust jacket, 306 numbered pages, 24 by 16 cm, black boards with bronze titling on spine, jacket front features charming photograph of Malik as a young man, backstage with Gil Scott-Heron. NEW (unread) book. Condition is Fine in Fine, packed securely in a sturdy (200# burst test) box. During a UK tour in 1984 Gil performed at Liverpools Royal Court Theatre. It was here that Malik met Gil. A friend working as a photographer blagged Malik backstage, pretending he was her assistant, so he could meet Gil. I thanked Gil for the show and turned to leave. He said: whats going on round here? I heard yall had some riots. This sparked a conversation which led to a remarkable friendship that lasted 27 years. A story of finding the words to challenge the system.
Seller Inventory # BIBLIO-593
- Title
- Letters to Gil: A Luminous Memoir of Racism, Life in the Care System and the Power of Discovering Music under the Mentorship of Gil Scott-Heron ? with a Foreword from Lemn Sissay
- Author
- Al Nasir, Malik
- Publisher
- William Collins
- Publication year
- 2021
- Condition
- New
- Dust jacket
- New
- Signed
- Signed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 000846443X
- ISBN 13
- 9780008464431
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Seller catalogs
- Black British, Music Writing, Signed UK First
‘A searing, triumphant story. A testament to the tenacity of the human spirit as well as a beautiful ode to an iconic figure’ IRENOSEN OKOJIE
Letters to Gil is Malik Al Nasir’s profound coming of age memoir – the story of surviving physical and racial abuse and discovering a new sense of self-worth under the wing of the great artist, poet and civil rights activist Gil Scott-Heron.
Born in Liverpool, Malik was taken into care at the age of nine after his seafaring father became paralysed. He would spend his adolescence in a system that proved violent, neglectful, exploitative, traumatising and mired in abuse. Aged eighteen, he emerged semi-literate, penniless with no connections or sense of where he was going – until a chance meeting with Gil Scott-Heron.
Letters to Gil will tell the story of Malik’s empowerment and awakening while mentored by Gil, from his introduction to the legacy of Black history to the development of his voice through poetry and music. Written with lyricism and power, it is a frank and moving memoir, highlighting how institutional racism can debilitate and disadvantage a child, as well as how mentoring, creativity, self-expression and solidarity helped him to uncover his potential.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Malik Al Nasir is an author, film maker, performance poet, and an award winning academic from Liverpool.
Malik started tracing his roots back through Caribbean slavery over 20 years ago and his pioneering research has been recognised by Sir Hilary Beckles (Chair: CARICOM Commission for slavery reparations), historian David Olusoga, and The University of Cambridge, where Malik has just completed a PhD in history with a full scholarship. In recognition of the significance of his research, Malik received several awards whilst at Cambridge, as well as an honorary Doctorate from Liverpool Hope University.
Malik is co-founder of the policy making initiative, 'Black Academia – Lifting the Barriers.' He has produced and appeared in several documentaries with Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, Benjamin Zephaniah, Public Enemy, Ice T and many other luminaries.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
The Peculiar Old Cat and Fiddle Bookshop
Bronx, NY, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since May 31, 2018
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 5.00 | US$ 10.00 |
Payment methods
Store description
The Peculiar Old Cat and Fiddle Bookshop has a passion for fine and rare books covering all things art, all things music but with a penchant for jazz and traditional music, 19th Century literature and culture, fine illustrations and modern firsts. The Cat digs artistic and counter-cultural movements, and also of course the unusual and the curious (hence the "Peculiar" in the name). The Cat's yen for the 19th century (including art, fashion, affairs, exploration) is possibly influenced by living in a 19th century brownstone, a future gallery for the store. Selling online since 2003 with great customer feedback - if the customer is happy, we are happy.…
Specialty
music (jazz, folk), art history and reference, counter culture, 19th Century literature and culture, fine illustrations and modern firstsSeller's business information
The Peculiar Old Cat and Fiddle Bookshop
NJ, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
I guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, I will happily refund, within 30 days of the estimated delivery date.
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