I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography Of Nina Simone

by Nina Simone, Stephen Cleary (With)

Overview

The classic autobiography of the iconic singer and pianist, detailing her music and involvement in key moments of the Civil Rights era

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small-town North Carolina, Nina Simone changed the face of both music and race relations in America. She struck a chord with bluesy jazz ballads like "Put a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and powerful protest songs such as "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," the anthem of the American Civil Rights movement.

Here are the many lives and loves of Nina Simone, recounted in her unshakable voice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306813276
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	08/14/2003
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	88,044
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.05(h) x 0.75(d)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Lincoln Center Institute Resource Center blog, 7/9/09
“Compelling, honest, and powerful. It is meticulously packed with historical information on America during some of its ugliest times, coming from the voice of someone who lived through it everyday…a voice of a woman who devoted her adult life to changing the face of society…From a musical standpoint alone, I Put a Spell On You is an extremely valuable read. However, this would also be a unique, relevant and worthwhile addition to any high-school or collegiate history library, or anyone with an interest in the civil rights movement both politically and artistically.”

Editorial Reviews

"Brilliant, gifted, and bitter, Nina Simone offers a heartfelt and humble rendering of her exceptional journey in I Put a Spell On You, in hopes of providing clarity and truth to her often misunderstood life...Much like her music, I Put A Spell On You is compelling, honest, and powerful. It is meticulously packed with historical information on America during some of its ugliest times, coming from the voice of someone who lived through it every day...a voice of a woman who devoted her adult life to changing the face of society. The book also contains fascinating black-and-white images. From a musical standpoint alone, I Put a Spell On You is an extremely valuable read. However, in my opinion, this would also be a unique, relevant, and worthwhile addition to any high-school or collegiate history library, or anyone with an interest in the civil rights movement both politically and artistically. It may present an opportunity to spark an interest in the crucial connection between art and society, while significantly illustrating the need for and role of art during cultural transformations."— Lincoln Center Institute's Resource Center blog

"Offers readers a candid look at the highs and lows of the singer's remarkable career and life in addition to her civil rights activism and time spent as an expatriate."— Ebony

"Her artistry represents human indomitability."— Washington Post

From the Publisher