Jeffrey B. Perry

The “New York News” claimed that during 1912 Harrison was “the most trusted and valued speaker of the Socialist Party in the city” and “demands were sent to the Party for his services as speaker and debater all over the United States.” After one of his talks at Wall Street in New York on September 13, the “New York Times” described him as “an eloquent and forceful negro speaker” who “shattered all records for distance in an address on Socialism in front of the Stock Exchange building.” He reportedly “mounted the stand in front of the Socialists’ banner at noon and started in with a description of life in the medieval ages.” At first his voice reached the outermost limits of the crowd, but as the hours passed and his voice grew huskier, the circle of auditors drew closer. He went strong into the third hour and then talked himself into a hoarse whisper before ending.

-- From Jeffrey B. Perry, “Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918” (Columbia University Press), p. 191 -- Read More 

Book Talk by Jeffrey B. Perry on "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918," Sunday, April 24, 2011, 3 PM, Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125th St., NYC. CLICK HERE

"'Reds at the Blackboard,' Clarence Taylor's superb history of the left-led New York City Teachers' Union (1916-1964), fills a void in the historical record of teacher unionism and education in the United States, providing important background on recurring controversies of curriculum, due process, academic freedom, testing, transfers, community involvement, civil rights, and the need for more Black and Latino teachers. This meticulously researched and insightful history of an important social justice union contributes significantly to our understanding of Civil Rights and left history, and it offers important background on the rise of the United Federation of Teachers and the 1968 New York City teacher strikes and community control struggles. It is a timely contribution to the current climate of growing economic depression, persistent racial disparities, war, educational crises, charter schools, and often fractured teacher union and community relations." — Jeffrey B. Perry, author of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" -- For more information see http://cup.columbia.edu/book/978-0-231-15268-6/reds-at-the-blackboard/reviews  Read More 

Scott McLemee, Intellectual Affairs Columnist for "Inside Higher Ed" and National Board Member of the National Book Critics Circle, in SocialistWorker.org has recommended "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" as one of two "exceptionally important" biographies for this holiday season. His review of the book can be found at --
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/mclemee/mclemee61
His list of recommendations can be found at --
http://socialistworker.org/2010/12/07/for-the-red-on-your-list
A special 30% off sale of the new paperback edition can be found at --
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Hubert-Harrison--The-Voice-of-Harlem-Radicalism.html?soid=1101978655946&aid=jjr1s33e_v8
Please encourage public libraries and school libraries to obtain this important book. Read More 

November 3, 2010 is the scheduled publication date for the paperback edition of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" -- Click here

"Pambazuka News" of July 8, 2010, reprints Larry A. Greene, "The Life and Times of Hubert Harrison: A Forgotten Synthesis of African-American Socialism and Black Nationalism," review of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" from the Summer 2010 "New Politics" -- Click here

"Black Agenda Report" of July 1, 2010, reprints Larry A. Greene, review of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" from the Summer 2010 "New Politics" -- Click here

Larry A. Greene, review of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" from the Summer 2010 "New Politics" -- Click here

"Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918." SPECIAL SALE $18.75. The cost of the cloth biography is reduced because a new paperback edition is coming out. BUY the hardbound now. It is a great gift for a friend, loved one, co-worker,  Read More 

On March 10, 2010 Columbia University Press announced that they will publish a paperback edition of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918," which is scheduled to be available by November 2010.

Google Preview of Jeffrey B. Perry, "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" (Columbia University Press, 2008)

Herb Boyd, "Biography Highlights Harlem Intellectual," review of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918," Amsterdam News, August 21, 2009 (bottom)

Readers are encourged to look at Herb Boyd’s "Neworld Review" review of "Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918" (see Reviews). Herb Boyd is the author of "Baldwin's Harlem" and "The Harlem Reader," he is a writer and columnist for the "Amsterdam News," and he is managing editor for "One World Today."
Boyd writes, in part:
“[Hubert] Harrison’s incomparable intellect, uncompromising integrity, and the influence he had on the thinkers of his day is gradually emerging from the shadows of obscurity, thanks largely to the yeoman and independent working class scholarship of Jeffrey B. Perry. . . .
Anyone interested in the history of Harlem will find an inexhaustible supply of information in Perry’s chapter “Focus on Harlem.” But it’s hard to single out any one chapter since Harrison’s life was inseparably attached to Harlem where his forums, his paper The Voice, his charisma and his redoubtable socialism made him one of the most compelling men of his times.
Indeed, during those days when he walked the streets of Harlem, or any other part of the city, he was widely acknowledged for his vast storehouse of facts and information, and now through Perry’s prodigious research Harrison’s brilliance can once more engage a generation eager to find inspiration and renewed political spirit.
As the pundits bandy about the possibility we may be living in a post-racial society given the ascendancy of Barack Obama, Perry’s study of Harrison’s life and the redemption of his legacy is never more pertinent than when he writes: “Hubert Harrison understood white supremacy to be central to capitalist rule in the United States.”
Add prophecy to Harrison’s impressive resume."  Read More