Paul Robeson

No One Can Silence Me: The Life of the Legendary Artist and Activist (Adapted for Young Adults)

Martin Duberman

With a foreword by Jason Reynolds

Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of Paul Robeson’s death, a young adult version of his life, based on the biography USA Today called “magnificent”

“A history of a global luminary figure that serves as a reminder of the courageous freedom-fighting work in front of us.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Adapted from Martin Duberman’s “superb” (New York Times) biography of Paul Robeson, and featuring an introduction by award-winning young adult author Jason Reynolds, along with explanations of key terms and photographs from Robeson’s life, this is a thrilling addition to the young adult canon.

Paul Robeson was destined for greatness. The son of an ex-slave who upon his college graduation ranked first in his class, Robeson was proclaimed the future “leader of the colored race in America.” Although a graduate of Columbia Law School, he abandoned his law career (and the racism he encountered there) and began a hugely successful career as an internationally celebrated actor and singer. Robeson’s triumphs on the stage earned him esteem among white and Black Americans across the country, although his daring and principled activism eventually made him an outcast from the entertainment industry, and his radical views made many consider him a public enemy.

Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me is an introduction for readers in middle and high school to the inspiring and complicated life of one of America’s most fascinating figures, whose story of artistry, heroism, conviction, and conflict is newly relevant today.

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Praise

“Although Paul Robeson’s story is impressive (you’ll see!) and explains why his name seems to lift off the tongues of all who say it, what his life really serves as is perhaps the greatest reminder of the possibilities of a single person.”

—Jason Reynolds, from the foreword

“Paul Robeson is a true hero everyone should learn about and Martin Duberman has done us all a great service by bringing Robeson’s story to young adult readers. This book should be taught in schools nationwide.”

—Wayne Au, education professor, co-editor of Teaching for Black Lives and editor of Rethinking Schools magazine

“A history of a global luminary figure that serves as a reminder of the courageous freedom-fighting work in front of us.”

—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Paul Robeson: No One Can Silence Me shines a light on one of the giants whom history tried to minimize, and references our current context throughout the book. Duberman makes it clear that Paul Robeson and his story are as relevant and important as ever.”

—Thomas Nikundiwe, director of the Education for Liberation Network

“Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, Paul Robeson used his gifted baritone voice not only for concerts and theater around the world but to call out racial injustice in his home country. . . . Duberman balances Robeson’s tireless civil rights work with his marital troubles and later mental-health problems. Numerous photographs throughout help document Robeson’s robust life. A powerful tribute to this #BlackLivesMatter predecessor.”