Paul Buhle Books

The first-ever graphic biography of Paul Robeson, Ballad of an American, charts Robeson’s career as a singer, actor, scholar, athlete, and activist who achieved global fame. Through his films, concerts, and records, he became a potent symbol representing the promise of a multicultural, multiracial American democracy at a time when, despite his stardom, he was denied personal access to his many audiences. Robeson was a major figure in the rise of anti-colonialism in Africa and elsewhere, and a tireless campaigner for internationalism, peace, and human rights. Later in life, he embraced the civil rights and antiwar movements with the hope that new generations would attain his ideals of a peaceful and abundant world. Ballad of an American features beautifully drawn chapters by artist Sharon Rudahl, a compelling narrative about his life, and an afterword on the lasting impact of Robeson’s work in both the arts and politics. This graphic biography will enable all kinds of readers—especially newer generations who may be unfamiliar with him—to understand his life’s story and everlasting global significance. Ballad of an American: A Graphic Biography of Paul Robeson is published in conjunction with Rutgers University’s centennial commemoration of Robeson’s 1919 graduation from the university

An “utterly brilliant” graphic novel biography of the dramatic life and death of German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg (Guardian). “ . . . a tour de force . . . a straightforward and intellectually honest introduction to [Luxumburg’s] politics and theoretical contributions.” —Los Angeles Review of Books A giant of the political left, Rosa Luxemburg is one of the foremost minds in the canon of revolutionary socialist thought. But she was much more than just a thinker. She made herself heard in a world inimical to the voices of strong-willed women. She overcame physical infirmity and the prejudice she faced as a Jew to become an active revolutionary whose philosophy enriched every corner of an incredibly productive and creative life—her many friendships, her sexual intimacies, and her love of science, nature and art. Always opposed to World War I, when others on the German left were swept up on a tide of nationalism, she was imprisoned and murdered in 1919 fighting for a revolution she knew to be doomed. In this beautifully drawn work of graphic biography, writer and artist Kate Evans has opened up her subject’s intellectual world to a new audience, grounding Luxemburg’s ideas in the realities of an inspirational and deeply affecting life.

Tim Hector was a multifaceted figure in Caribbean history, known for his roles as a political philosopher, educator, and journalist. His editorship of Outlet and co-founding of the Afro-Caribbean Liberation Movement marked significant contributions to the struggle for Antigua's independence. A disciple of C. L. R. James, Hector was influential in the Pan-African movement, with his column "Fan the Flame" providing keen insights into regional history, politics, cricket, and literature, making him a respected voice across the Caribbean.

Offering a comprehensive overview of U.S. Marxism, this work is celebrated for its nuanced storytelling and balanced perspective. It presents a sweeping narrative that captures the complexities of Marxist thought in the United States, making it a significant contribution to New Left historiography. The book's detailed analysis and engaging approach provide valuable insights into the evolution and impact of Marxist ideas in American history.

A profusely illustrated, popularly-written volume with original comic art, FDR and the New Deal For Beginners will shed new light upon a story now regaining visibility thanks to the recent economic crisis and prominent reformer, President Obama, in the White House. The history of the precedent-making FDR administration through the bitter economic depression, with expansive programs empowering artists and working people, comes alive as the grandest social experiment in the history of American democracy. For the first time, the lives of the president, the first lady and the ordinary people of the time will be seen through an inventive comic narrative accompanying historic illustrations and a sympathetic but not uncritical text.

The book offers a vibrant and richly illustrated exploration of the significant impact Jews have had on American popular culture throughout the twentieth century. It delves into various aspects of entertainment, art, and media, highlighting key figures and movements that shaped the cultural landscape. Through engaging narratives and visuals, it reveals the diverse contributions and the profound legacy of Jewish influence in shaping American society and its cultural expressions.

Readers have long cherished the work of comic masters such as Will Eisner, Jules Feiffer, and Art Spiegelman, all of whom happen to be Jewish. Few, however, are probably aware that the Jewish role in creating the American comic art form is no less significant than the Jewish influence on Hollywood filmmaking. Filled with the most stunning examples of this vital artistic tradition, Jews and American Comics tells us how the "people of the book" became the people of the comic book. With three brief essays by Paul Buhle, the well-known historian of American Jewish life, Jews and American Comics offers readers a pictorial backstory tracing Jewish involvement in comic art from several little-known strips in Yiddish newspapers of the early twentieth century through the mid-century origins of the modern comic book and finally to contemporary comic art, which has at last found its place in museums, in private collections, and on the bookshelves of both critics and millions of avid readers. Featuring more than two hundred examples of the work of Jewish comic artists going back a century―much of which has been unavailable to the general public for decades―this extraordinary collection will be a major contribution to Jewish and American cultural history. Jews and American Comics is also a gorgeous package, sure to be treasured by comic art lovers and fans of Jewish culture―and destined to become the bar and bat mitzvah gift of the decade.

Executed by a British firing squad on 12th May 1916 for his role in organizing the Easter Rising, James Connolly was one of the most prominent radical organizers and agitators of his day. As a labour organiser, Connolly stressed the importance of direct action, broad working-class unity, and a commitment to ending labor's exploitation. As a socialist agitator, Connolly saw economic and political independence as inextricably intertwined. This pamphlet, the first graphic treatment of Connolly's life, is issued on the centenary of the Easter Rising.

John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, made himself the stuff of legend by spreading the seeds of apple trees from Pennsylvania to Indiana. Along with that, he offered the seeds of nonviolence and vegetarianism, good relationships with Native Americans, and peace among the settlers. He was one of the New World’s earliest followers of the Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. The story of John Chapman operates as a counter-narrative to the glorification of violence, conquest, and prevailing notions of how the West was Won. It differentiates between the history and the half-myths of Johnny Appleseed’s life and work: His apples, for instance, were prized for many reasons, but none more so than for the making of hard cider. He was also a real estate speculator of sorts, purchasing potentially fertile but unproven acres and then planting saplings before flipping the land. Yet, he had less interest in financial gain―and yes, this is an accurate part of the mythology―than in spreading visions of peace and love. Johnny Appleseed brings this quintessentially American story to life in comics form.

Hardcover mit Lesebändchen. Aus der Reihe »Bibliothek für Pferdeliebhaber«, Band 11. Stuttgart 1923. Mit 27 Skizzen und 4 Bildern. Ein Handbuch, in dem alles steht, was einen Fuhrmann angeht, gibt es nicht. Dies soll ein Versuch sein, diesem Übelstand abzuhelfen. Wenn ich damit dem Arbeitsfuhrmann zur Freude an seiner Arbeit und Hochachtung seines Berufes, dem Zugpferd zur Erleichterung seines oft so schweren Lebens beitragen kann, dem Vaterland zu seinem Wiederaufbau ethisch und wirtschaftlich nütze, schätze ich mich glücklich.