This biography delves into the life of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), a prominent nineteenth-century American poet and one of the first African American writers to achieve international acclaim post-emancipation. Known for poems like "Sympathy" and "We Wear the Mask," Dunbar's prolific output spanned various genres, including a newspaper he co-produced with Orville and Wilbur Wright in Dayton, Ohio. Before his untimely death, he published fourteen poetry books, four short story collections, and four novels, and collaborated on theatrical productions, notably the first Broadway musical with an all African American cast. Gene Jarrett chronicles Dunbar's personal and professional journey within the historical context of his time, aiming to portray "the full story of an African American who privately wrestled with the constraints of America in the Gilded Age." The biography is structured into three parts: "Broken Home," which explores his parents' lives and Dunbar's early years leading to his first book in 1893; "A True Singer," highlighting his literary ascent; and "The Downward Way," detailing his troubled marriage, health struggles, and death. An epilogue reflects on Dunbar's lasting impact, accompanied by over 40 black-and-white photographs of his life and work.
