Although I found that this particular memoir missed the mark completely with its lack of narrative flow and mish-mash of anecdotes that felt like they had been scrawled on scrap pieces of paper, I am still very curious about Josephine Baker's life story. Perhaps readers with more background knowledge on Baker will enjoy this memoir though as it is her joyful, vibrant voice which comes across clear and strong.

This book is an excellent introduction to Josephine Baker's life. While we learn a lot about her varied career and life, unfortunately, due to the archival process (somewhat oral history rather than written memoir), I found the book too fragmented. I felt it read like a biography/autobiography.

There was much to be desired from this book much like Josephine herself a subject of desires. Through the compilation of information the ghostwriter of this book was able to lend voice to Ms. Baker in her own words. A noble cause though I didn't find I knew anymore about her that I hope to find. A woman of a different time than this millennial, Ms. Baker made her accounts of her tremendous life and her living it.

Fans of Josephine will enjoy this read just for the fact they get to spend some time with her own words. Other than that novelty I would say this book is underwhelming.

The amazing memoir of THE Josephine Baker in her OWN words!! Originally written and published in 1949 *though the memoir extends well into the 1960s/70s
the fabulous, opulent story of her early life in Harlem to taking Paris by storm
We learn of her iconic outfits, lifestyle and ambitions. How she danced from the street corners to the top of the world
Josephine describes her courageous passion for human rights , becoming a decorated spy in WWII for the French resistance to the March on Washington to boycott segregated concert venues, having witnessed the racism of the world vs the USA
Josephine Baker has always been an inspirational woman but to read her memoir is an entirely new enriching experience!!

I feel as if reading Fearless and Free: A Memoir: has given me the opportunity to hear from Miss Josephine Baker herself. It's like I was invited to her house and she sat down and started telling me her life stories in her words. And I was there hanging onto every word she said. The life. Teh adventures. The loves. The journeys. I am thankful that this book was made available to English speaking folks. I simply adore Miss Baker and the title of the book Fearless and Free was so fitting for a free spirit. We should all be blessed to be able to read the life of Miss Josephine Baker. The impact that her life has had on so many people is a testament to all she lived and loved for. I highly recommend this book.
#NetGalley #FearlessandFree:AMemoir

Quick Summary: A memoir..."in her own words"

My Review: Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker is..."Published in the US for the first time..." It is being released in February 2025 by PENGUIN GROUP Dutton|Tiny Reparations Books.

About the Book: "...Fearless and Free is the memoir of the fabulous, rule-breaking, one-of-a-kind Josephine Baker, the iconic dancer, singer, spy, and Civil Rights activist."

In My Own Words: Verbal snapshots, telling vignettes, descriptive snippets, and sobering words from a most colorful life - this memoir on Josephine Baker was captivating.

My Final Say: From a pauper to an acclaimed member of France's Pantheon, Josephine Baker was a force. Not one to shy away from a challenge or an obstacle, she lived courageously. This memoir allows readers to see her from a unique perspective.

As a long-time admirer of this entertainer, I found this work to be rather revealing. It very much showed how she was shaped by her circumstances, while at the same time, she was not deterred by the restrictions of the times. It helped me to understand some of the choices she made. She faced harsh treatment and injustices in the country of her birth, yet she was lauded by those who knew her best. I loved that she did not allow the hardships that she endured to break her.

In the end, this memoir presented Josephine in the full circle of her existence. While some details may not have been made known, she gave us the need to know information. The interesting window that she opened up for us through her words provided a glimpse into the woman as she was. Her parting wisdom was, just as she was, beautiful.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: G
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keeper: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the publisher (PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books) and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for granting access to a digital ARC of this memoir in exchange for an honest review. I am most grateful for the opportunity.

Josephine Baker was everything shy and quiet and I love it. I think because there were no cellphones and social media around during Baker’s era, I just assumed that many of the pioneers were timid, mindful and kept to themselves. Though there are many that were like that, there were also many who were not like that. Josephine traveled the world, met many people, danced on many stages, and lived many lives. It was refreshing to hear that the hardships was not always hard. There was some glory and happiness in the midst of the storm. Paris seemed like a perfect place for many black people during this time and I’m glad that Josephine was able to live her life happily there.

What an incredibly powerful book! I feel strangely reassured by the realization that everything we're dealing in the world rn is in fact nothing new, and has been going on since generations, and still people manage to endure and persist and even thrive at times. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me exactly what I needed rn.

I received a copy of the book, "Fearless and Free" By Josephine Baker from Netgalley. This book comes from over 20 of interviews she had with a french interviewer. She speaks with this man talking of her life. She was born in the USA in St Louis Mo. she was very poor. Learned to dance. she experienced racism in the USA and went to France when she was in her twenties. Over twenty years she talks with same man describing her love of Paris and traveling all over Europe entertaining. she talks of her experiences in each country both good and bad. She talks of her year during world War 2 and her health problems. She went back to the USA in the later 1940s only to go back to the racism that was still here and the horrible treatment she endured. She talks some of her performances. She was famous for dancing and the charleston. She talks of some of the famous people she has met. It was nice to read this book and learn more about Josephine Baker in her own words.

I was fortunate to be able to see Siren of the Tropics on the big screen at the Ebertfest Film Festival, with music added by the Alloy Orchestra. The film had its flaws and was a product of its time, but what I left the theater thinking, was that you could not take your eyes off Josephine Baker from start to finish. She is magnetic, beautiful, and an enormously talented dancer.

After reading her memoir, I enjoyed reading some behind the scenes information about filiming the movie, and hearing about her perspective. I am so impressed with her service during WWII, her travels, and her command of so many languages as well as love of animals. She is a tremendous person who was not appreciated in the US as much as in France. I learned a lot from reading her memoirs and really enjoyed getting a fuller perspective of Josephine Baker.