BOOK BRIEF

Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday

Angela Y. Davis
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Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

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Angela Y. Davis

Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Biography
Setting

United States • Early 20th century

Topic
Race & Racism

Gender & Feminism

Social Justice
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, Angela Y. Davis examines the contributions of Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday to music and feminist discourse. The work highlights their influence on Black cultural and feminist narratives, emphasizing their roles in challenging societal norms through their music and personal histories.

Informative

Emotional

Melancholic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.5

1,960 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Angela Y. Davis’s Blues Legacies and Black Feminism is praised for intertwining music history with feminist theory, offering deep insights into the lives of Rainey, Smith, and Holiday. Critics commend its thorough research and cultural analysis, though some find its academic style dense. Overall, it’s a valuable contribution to understanding the intersection of race, gender, and music.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday?

A reader interested in Blues Legacies and Black Feminism would likely enjoy exploring the intersections of music, culture, and gender studies, particularly within African American history. Fans of works like Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison or Woman, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis may also find this book compelling for its critical insights.

4.5

1,960 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Biography
Setting

United States • Early 20th century

Topic
Race & Racism

Gender & Feminism

Social Justice
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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