I first learned of Paul Robeson in college. Since then, I've read a few books about him and a book of his speeches. As much as I adore Paul Robeson, I could not get into this book; and abandoned it at 38%. The book does a great job addressing Robeson's career, beliefs on monogamy, marriage, and political leanings; however, it was dry to me. Although I personally did not like the book, I would buy it for my student library.

Well done but more for a high school collection. I ended up skimming through this biography because I realized early on that it would not provide enough context for my middle school population to absorb the content. I had no idea who Robeson was prior to obtaining this ebook, so I can only imagine my students would be starting with the same blank page. Additionally, they have significantly less historical reference from which to lay a backdrop and gain context. I was hoping for more explanation and framework in the way of pictures and sidebars to guide the reader.

I had not read the original version of Martin Duberman’s autobiography of Paul Robeson, but if this adaptation for young adults is anything to go by, it is a great read! Complete with a foreword by Jason Reynolds, Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me provides us with a detailed and interesting account of the highly inspirational artist and civil rights icon. I love how the author seamlessly introduces contextual sidebars and explanations for different terms, events, and other important factors - they are super helpful and fit into the narrative perfectly. I also love the comparisons between Robeson’s time and nowadays, showing areas where things have not advanced as much as we may think.

While I knew a little about Paul Robeson before I picked up the book, I really had no idea of the extent of his accomplishments, or the extent of how he was persecuted for his convictions. I also really appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from portraying Robeson as the complicated character that he was, making him all the more human, inspiring, and relatable.

This would be a great addition to any school or classroom library, and for anyone with middle and/or high school aged kids!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very informative. However, the style in which it is written is very dry. The quotes and the photographs really add to the book, helping the reader to visualize the historical context of the information.

Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me
by Martin Duberman
I chose this book to read during Black history month for a reason. I did not know much about the life of Paul Robeson, an educated black artist in the film and music industry. His political stance and his willingness to put everything on the line for political change is remarkable. It was interesting to look into the history that made this well known remarkable man.

{Digital copy provided by NetGalley and The New Press}

Having never heard about Paul Robeson, I couldn’t help requesting this book with its vivid cover and promising title. What I received was a fascinating and accessible biography about one of the most prominent black actors, singers, and activists of the early 20th century, a complex, persecuted, and resilient man.

The writing style of this book is very lively and easy to grasp, if at times a little too explanatory on concepts that should be familiar even to a young adult audience. While Robeson and various other characters who appear are not always sympathetic or relatable, great pains were taken to present a complete and overall fitting overview of the circumstances surrounding not only Robeson’s life in particular, but the general political and societal climate of the times.

This is a great books for readers who seek to gain a broader understanding of the civil rights movement and general fight for black equality in the early to mid 20th century as well as offering a new personal perspective.

Super interesting & insightful. I'm not surprised that a majority of us weren't taught about him in primary & secondary school.

No One Can Silence Me is a biography written for older teens and young adults adapted from Duberman's 1989 biography covering the life of Paul Robeson. Due out 9th March 2021 from The New Press, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a very well written and plainspoken recounting of the life of Paul Robeson. The author has chosen to cover the subject roughly chronologically from Robeson's early life and upbringing, his time at Rutgers, through his burgeoning career, his wartime efforts, and his eventual declining health. The book is illustrated throughout with photos and is very well annotated with ample chapter notes and resources for further reading.

There was a great deal about Robeson's life about which I was unaware. I knew him mostly in his role as advocate and activist writer. He was a renaissance man, a talented entertainer, intelligent and well spoken activist, a man with a definite eye for the ladies, well educated, athletic, urbane, and very intelligent.

He was (and continues to be) an important American in history and worthy of study. The content contained here is mostly written in age appropriate language for older tweens/teens (12-18ish). He was a complex man and not a saint and I think the author gives a good overview of the highlights of his life and society at the time.

Four stars. I would recommend it for public or home library acquisition, school use, supporting resource for American culture/history and allied studies.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The legacy of Paul Robeson provides a great story of someone blazing their own trail against all odds. This book is the perfect look at the life and times of a groundbreaking and influential talent.

I personally attended a school named after Mr. Robeson, and this is the perfect book that taught me more about the man whose name was a part of my journey from childhood to adulthood.

Adapted for young readers, the inspiring life and legacy of Paul Robeson is brought to life again. His legacy of a vocalist and great civil rights activist is created using sidebars, explanation of key terms and photos from Paul’s life and time. Paul Robeson from childhood was destined from greatness showing his great intellect, tenacity, boldness, conviction, complex temperament and passion for the rights and fairness of his people. Becoming an international public figure he encounter many racial defeats, but invested in the future victories for African Americans. Beating the odds his name became on the radar across country to country.

Reading this biography it became clear that the terms and outcomes that Paul experienced is very relevant today. His new role as an activist made him a target for persecution for his political views to which varied and changed as he traveled across the country and what he witnessed. As he merged into protesting Jim Crow segregation policies; his entertainment career begin to see the effects with cancelled bookings, no sales, travel bans, music restricted, concerts rioted and destruction. Over Paul’s lifetime he sacrificed himself, career, wealth and comfort he once enjoyed all for the wellness of his people.

I believe him to be such a selfless man, who stood against the cruelty of even his own race and white power to push America into recognizing that the Black race is here and isn’t going anywhere. I recommend this book to be apart of middle and high school required readings as it provided a great example of our real History. To read about an fascinating figure who story is inspiring yet complicated is indeed a thrilling new addition to literature.

I’m always looking to expand my classroom library with diverse nonfiction. I will admit I had never heard of Paul Robeson before reading this book. I was intrigued because he was a performer. I was very impressed with the amount of information in this book. I felt like it was a comprehensive commentary on Robeson’s life, and believe that young readers will find it extremely accessible.

Really enjoyed this book! It was super interesting and insightful but so sad to read his downfall and how his world crashed before him. Very well written and memorable. I think it was really interesting for me to learn ab someone new who really fought for change. His downfall was interesting sadly, and teaches us all lessons for the future. He sounds like an incredible man.