Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light

Significant numbers of black Americans went to France for the first time in World War I as part of the U.S. armed forces and discovered a country where they were free of the strictures of racism. This comprehensive look at black Americans' historical affection for Paris in the 20th century covers literary figures like Richard Wright, entertainers like Josephine Baker and jazz musicians like Sidney Bechet and Kenny Clarke, as well as black academics, scientists and businessmen who found new lives in Paris. This is an important, and welcome book.