From "Superman" to Man: A Fearless and Penetrating Discussion of America's Greatest ProblemThe first book from “a tireless champion of African history,” a novel that “challenged the theories that Blacks were inferior to whites” (New York Amsterdam News). Joel Augustus Roger’s seminal work from the Harlem Renaissance, this novel—first published in 1917—is a polemic against the ignorance that fuels racism. The central plot revolves around a train speeding to California, serviced by an African American porter named Dixon. On board is a United States senator from Oklahoma, a man obsessed by race who makes no attempts to hide his prejudice. Unable to sleep, the politician encounters Dixon in the smoking car, and thus ensues a debate about religion, science, and racial equality . . . “A bold discussion novel in which a cultured, well-travelled, black Pullman porter is drawn into a debate with a white passenger, a Southern senator, on the question of the superiority of the Anglo Saxon and the inferiority of the Negro.” —The Guardian “A genuine treasure. I still insist that From ‘Superman’ to Man is the greatest book ever written in English on the Negro by a Negro and I am glad to know that increasing thousands of black and white readers re-echo the high opinion of it which I had expressed some years ago.” —Hubert Henry Harrison “A stirring story, faithful to truth and helpful to a better understanding and feeling.” —Prof. George B. Foster, University of Chicago |
From inside the book
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Page 5
... passenger, fully dressed, had rushed into the room. “Is this Boone we are coming into, porter?" he demanded excitedly in a foreign accent, at the same time peering anxiously out of the window at the twinkling lights of the town toward ...
... passenger, fully dressed, had rushed into the room. “Is this Boone we are coming into, porter?" he demanded excitedly in a foreign accent, at the same time peering anxiously out of the window at the twinkling lights of the town toward ...
Page 6
... passenger. Holding out the book, he said, “I took the liberty to look at this, and I find it's an old favorite of mine." “Ah, is it? exclaimed Dixon with heightened cordiality. “This is the first English translation I have seen ...
... passenger. Holding out the book, he said, “I took the liberty to look at this, and I find it's an old favorite of mine." “Ah, is it? exclaimed Dixon with heightened cordiality. “This is the first English translation I have seen ...
Page 7
... passenger told Dixon about a clash between the porter on his car and a fussy passenger that afternoon. "Do you often meet people like that,” he asked. "No, sir. Nearly everyone I meet on the road is very pleasant. I am sure that if that ...
... passenger told Dixon about a clash between the porter on his car and a fussy passenger that afternoon. "Do you often meet people like that,” he asked. "No, sir. Nearly everyone I meet on the road is very pleasant. I am sure that if that ...
Page 8
... passengers I have ever served.” The subject of the book came up again, “I remember the grea. stir it created when it appeared,” said the passenger. "Finot has rendered a great service to humanity. He well deserves the honor conferred on ...
... passengers I have ever served.” The subject of the book came up again, “I remember the grea. stir it created when it appeared,” said the passenger. "Finot has rendered a great service to humanity. He well deserves the honor conferred on ...
Page 10
... passenger had had the last word. He had said: “You, too, had slavery in the North, but it didn't pay and you gave it up. Wasn't your pedantic and self-righteous Massachusetts the first to legalize slavery? You, Northerners, forced ...
... passenger had had the last word. He had said: “You, too, had slavery in the North, but it didn't pay and you gave it up. Wasn't your pedantic and self-righteous Massachusetts the first to legalize slavery? You, Northerners, forced ...
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Common terms and phrases
according added Africa American Anglo-Saxon appear asked beauty becomes began believe better blood Caucasian cause centuries certain Christianity citizens civilization color considered continued cultured difference Dixon equal Europe European exist fact feel forced give greater hair hand human hundred ignorant Indian inferiority instance Italy Jews kind laws less live look majority man's manner matter mean mind morality nature Negro never nigger North Northern objected opinion party passenger permitted persons porter prove question race racial reason regard remark replied replied Dixon respect returned seen senator similar skin slavery slaves so-called social South Southern speak spirit superior tell thing thought thousand tion took train true truth United Universal white women woman