The Essential Dick Gregory - (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A true renaissance man, Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory was one of the pioneering satirists of his generation, a reformer and brilliant spokesperson for the downtrodden and forgotten who dedicated his life to speaking unadulterated truth, and to improving ordinary lives. This volume collects Gregory's most thought-provoking, agitating, and liberating works, and will challenge your beliefs, allow you to see life differently, and dare you to make the world a better place"--

Book Synopsis

A soulful, generation-defining non-fiction collection of thought-provoking, agitating, and liberating works from Dick Gregory, the activist and author of sixteen books, including the classic bestseller Nigger: An Autobiography and the 2017 NAACP Image Award Winner, Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies.

A true renaissance man, Richard Claxton "Dick" Gregory was one of the pioneering satirists of his generation, a reformer and brilliant spokesperson for the downtrodden and forgotten who dedicated his life to speaking unadulterated truth--and to improving ordinary lives. A revered human rights and environmental activist, fearsome and uncompromising social critic, lauded bestselling author, beloved nutrition guru, and a powerful voice for social justice, Gregory aimed not only to educate souls, but to liberate them. His words shaped a generation and remain vital for our own turbulent times, offering wisdom to enlighten and inspire a new activist age.

This carefully curated anthology of selected writings reflects and celebrates Dick Gregory's wisdom and his vision. Divided into three sections--Body, Mind, and Spirit--it includes previously unavailable transcriptions and excerpts taken from his sixteen books, fifteen albums and audio compilations, and more than 1,200 hours of archival video, including lectures, interviews, and stand-up comedy performances. It is a breathtaking tour through the life of one of America's most prophetic and relevant cultural icons. The Essential Dick Gregory is a pointillistic portrait of a man who gave up a lucrative entertainment career to fight injustice on the front line of battle--leading protests and hunger strikes to end the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa; supporting civil rights, feminism, and Native Americans; and addressing hunger, poverty, and police brutality.

This compelling volume will challenge your beliefs, allow you to see life in unexpected ways, and dare you to make the world a better place.

This career-spanning collection reveals the uncompromising mind of Dick Gregory in his own words:

• Pioneering Satire: Experience the groundbreaking stand-up performances and interviews that shattered comedic norms and spoke uncompromising truth to power.
• Uncompromising Activism: Follow Gregory from the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement to his protests against the Vietnam War and apartheid, all detailed through his own speeches and writings.
• Civil Rights History: Explore defining moments in Black history through previously unavailable transcriptions and excerpts from Gregory's sixteen books and numerous audio compilations.
• Nutrition and Wellness: Discover the wisdom that made him a beloved nutrition guru, as this collection reveals his journey from a passionate advocate for health.

Review Quotes

"[A] standout anthology... Sharp, funny, and often inspiring, this is a must-read for Gregory's fans, and a perfect entry point for the uninitiated." - Publishers Weekly
"The Essential Dick Gregory covers a lot of ground . . . Dick Gregory was one of a kind, the genuine article. If you never saw him, this collection of his thoughts and writings are a wonderful introduction . . . If you did see him, this book will bring back memories, and you will learn things about him you may not have known."

- New York Journal of Books
"A satisfying encapsulation of the career of a seminal comedian and social justice warrior." - Kirkus Reviews
"A useful bookend to a public figure who wielded humor with vigor and an astuteness to the American condition perhaps matched only by Mark Twain." - Washington Post