Not only does this important and fascinating biography of Frank Marshall Davis track the poet from his humble beginnings to his admission to the American literary canon, but provides fresh information about the music, literature, politics, sports, and sexual mores of the period of the 1930’s and ’40s. Those on the right, who have criticized the president for his association with someone, whom the networks that peddle sensationalism have marked as radical, will learn here that Davis was once a foot soldier for the Republican party and wrote anti Communist tracts.
– Ishmael Reed, Author, Ishmael Reed Publishing Company
Dr. Takara has done a masterful job of telling the story of Frank Marshall Davis by encapsulating the experiences and circumstances that turned an imaginative and creative mind into a force for civil rights and justice who ultimately sacrificed power and career for a semblance of dignity and solace. Takara has shed light on Davis’ near-disappearance from the literary limelight, making a convincing argument that he is deserving of a place in the pantheon of his contemporaries. Frank Marshall Davis: The Fire and the Phoenix (A Critical Biography) is an eye-opening glimpse into the soul of a complicated figure, and few could duplicate the account of his journey as poignantly without Takara’s precious firsthand experience.
– Marsha McFadden, City Editor, Honolulu Star Advertiser
Dr. Takara has brought forth a brilliant work. She has unearthed a gem and polished it with skill, wit and a keen insight. The luminosity of her work brings into sharp focus the life of an engaged writer, activist, and a man with all the complications of a human being. By using a socio-historical approach, Dr. Takara reveals the scope of the work and time in which Frank Marshall Davis’ life was lived. We are informed of the social, political and cultural events that shaped his life and inspired his creative world and writing. We applaud this tremendous work. It is well written, giving us perspective of Dr. Takara as well as her subject. The role of a biographer as listener and recorder has been painstakingly rendered, a labor of love that lasted over fifteen years. For this precious book, we are indeed grateful to Dr. Takara. This is a wonderful addition to the canon of African American Literature. We are all the richer for this work!
– Rashidah Ismaili, ret. Rutgers University
Frank Marshall Davis, an utterly fascinating observer and participant in race relations in recent American history, has found a powerful voice in this remarkable volume by Kathryn Takara. This is a biography of especial note, deserving of a wide readership.
– Peter T. Manicas, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and Queens College, CUNY
Kathryn Waddell Takara has organized this work both in a time line and commentary to guide the reader to appreciate Davis’s work under difficult environments, including his last days in Hawai’i. Hawai’i challenged Davis to survive in economic terms and to describe and to analyze the effects of the similarities and differences of the Hawaiian influences in the Black experiences in and around Hawai`i.
– Kiyoshi Ikeda, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawai`i
I have always known that Kathryn Takara was an astute intellectual. She writes prose with the precision and passion of a poet. Her biography of Frank Marshall Davis brings to life a man who lived in tumultuous times. The racism of the times can be experienced clearly through his eyes via the words of Dr. Takara. A wonderfully passionate story!
– Carol A. Dickson, Professor, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa
Fans of Frank Marshall Davis, will welcome this definitive biography of a man who is a significant American poet. Details about Davis’ life include involvement with artists and writers, leadership with the Black press, experiences with the labor movement, and the ordeal of the McCarthy era. Dr. Takara, a poet herself, provides a well- documented account based on years of friendship, interviews, archival research and analysis of his published and unpublished works.
– Miles M. Jackson, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa