The Fire Next Time gave another passionate voice to the civil rights movement in the early 1960s.

In his two essays, James Baldwin outlines his views on the history of race relations and the situation in America at the time. He describes his experiences as a Black man with Christianity and The Nation of Islam. He exhorts Americans, both black and white, to turn away from the terrible legacy of racism and toward creating a multiracial society of equals.

Written almost sixty years ago, these essays in some ways reveal how little progress has been made. Yet they also offer hopeful ways that Americans still can achieve progress toward becoming “a more perfect union.” Reading this short, 89-page book beforehand will be helpful but is not necessary.