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The Spook Who Sat by the Door

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( 3,839 ratings, 369 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a provocative tale centred around Dan Freeman, the first African American CIA officer. Trained by the agency yet underestimated, Freeman embarks on his own mission upon returning to Chicago, where he uses his skills to strengthen a black nationalist movement. The narrative explores themes of race, identity, and subversion with a sharp and satirical edge.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$6300

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy thought-provoking stories that delve into social and political challenges, as it explores the intricacies of racial tensions and identity. With its powerful narrative, it offers a gripping exploration of activism and rebellion, blending elements of espionage with a sharp critique of societal issues.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Continuously available in print since 1968, this novel has become embedded in progressive anti-racist culture with wide circulation of the book and hotly debated film and television adaptations. A classic in the Black literary tradition, the novel offers a strong comment on entrenched racial inequities in the United States in the late 1960s.

An explosive, award-winning novel, The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a 50-year-young classic that provides commentary on the racial inequities in the US in the late 1960s - and today.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A classic in the Black literary canon.

Continuously available in print since 1968, this novel has become embedded in progressive anti-racist culture with wide circulation of the book and hotly debated film and television adaptations. A classic in the Black literary tradition, The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a strong comment on entrenched racial inequities in the United States in the late 1960s. With its focus on the "militancy" that characterized the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, this is the story of one man's reaction to ruling-class hypocrisy in ways that make the novel autobiographical and personal. As a tale of a reaction to the forces of oppression, this book is universal.

Dan Freeman, the "spook who sat by the door," is enlisted in the CIA's elitist espionage program. Upon mastering agency tactics, however, he drops out to train young Black Chicagoans to combat racism as"Freedom Fighters" in this explosive novel.

Series: African American Life

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Spook Who Sat by the Door is praised for its impactful narrative and exploration of race and identity in America. Reviewers highlight its engaging storytelling and the way it challenges societal norms through the protagonist's journey. The book is often described as thought-provoking, blending elements of satire and realism to address important social issues.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780814349571

Publisher: Wayne State University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 June 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Wayne State University Press

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Natiki Hope Pressley

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 208

About the Author

Sam Greenlee (1930โ€“2014) was a highly acclaimed, internationally known poet, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, producer, director, actor, and teacher. A former U.S. Information Agency Foreign Service officer, he is the author of Baghdad Blues and three collections of poetry.

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