My Song

A Memoir

By: Harry Belafonte, Michael Shnayerson

Narrated by: Harry Belafonte, Mirron Willis

Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Harry Belafonte is not just one of the greatest entertainers of our time; he has led one of the great American lives of the last century. Now, this extraordinary icon tells us the story of that life, giving us its full breadth, letting us share in the struggles, the tragedies, and, most of all, the inspiring triumphs.

Belafonte grew up, poverty-ridden, in Harlem and Jamaica. His mother was a complex woman - caring but withdrawn, eternally angry and rarely satisfied. His father was distant and physically abusive. It was not an easy life, but it instilled in young Harry the hard-nosed toughness of the city and the resilient spirit of the Caribbean lifestyle. It also gave him the drive to make good and channel his anger into actions that were positive and life-affirming. His journey led to the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he encountered an onslaught of racism but also fell in love with the woman he eventually married. After the war he moved back to Harlem, where he drifted between odd jobs until he saw his first stage play - and found the life he wanted to lead. Theater opened up a whole new world, one that was artistic and political and made him realize that not only did he have a need to express himself, he had a lot to express.

He began as an actor - and has always thought of himself as such - but was quickly spotted in a musical, began a tentative nightclub career, and soon was on a meteoric rise to become one of the world’s most popular singers. Belafonte was never content to simply be an entertainer, however. Even at enormous personal cost, he could not shy away from activism. At first it was a question of personal dignity: breaking down racial barriers that had never been broken before, achieving an enduring popularity with both White and Black audiences. Then his activism broadened to a lifelong, passionate involvement at the heart of the civil rights movement and countless other political and social causes. The sections on the rise of the civil rights movement are perhaps the most moving in the book: his close friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr.; his role as a conduit between Dr. King and the Kennedys; his up-close involvement with the demonstrations and awareness of the hatred and potential violence around him; his devastation at Dr. King’s death and his continuing fight for what he believes is right.

But My Song is far more than the history of a movement. It is a very personal look at the people in that movement and the world in which Belafonte has long moved. He has befriended many beloved and important figures in both entertainment and politics - Paul Robeson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sidney Poitier, John F. Kennedy, Marlon Brando, Robert Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, Tony Bennett, Bill Clinton - and writes about them with the same exceptional candor with which he reveals himself on every page. This is a book that pulls no punches, and turns both a loving and critical eye on our country’s cultural past.

As both an artist and an activist, Belafonte has touched countless lives. With My Song, he has found yet another way to entertain and inspire us. It is an electrifying memoir from a remarkable man.

©2011 Harry Belafonte (P)2011 Random House Audio

Amazing listen, a lesson in 20th century history

I loved listening to Belafonte as a child and was looking forward to learning more about his life. Not only does this book provide quite a synopsis of his early life and career, it melds with important historial moments in American history, and international music history in surprising ways. The book is long, but covers lots of stuff and never gets boring. I would have preferred to hear the story from the singer himself but unfortunately his voice is not up to it... he only speaks in the intro. Mirron Willis does a good job though and many times you just believe he is Harry. One minor annoyance, all dates are said in an unnatural way, e.g., "June one" instead of June first (1st), May fifteen instead of fifteenth, etc.

Chronicles Civil Rights Movement in a Personal Way

My Song is one of the best historical memoirs I have ever read. Hearing Belafonte reading puts him in the room with the listener. His closeness to Martin Luther King and ability to access Bobby Kennedy make awesome accounts. Belafonte' intelligence, insights, rich vocabulary and melodies voice create a top-level experience.

Wow!

I totally did not know Harry Belafonte this way. I had not known how important he was to the civil rights movement and I had known how big of an entertainer he was in his time. Belafonte does come across as somewhat arrogant but the reader is able to overlook this because his contribution is so vast (assuming all he says is true and I think he is credible). The reader also realizes that entertainment was actually the secondary role in his life and tackling social causes was the primary. As mentioned before, he has a pronounced ego but I suppose that worked for him in instances when he needed to be strong and self-assured. He has strong opinions on public figures that I do not always agree with but that is uniquely who he is - he usually speaks his mind. I also question some of the things he found necessary to include in the book like MLK's true feelings about his wife - it was not important to Belafonte's story and not his business to reveal. Like him a lot or a little, it is an interesting book that is well written and engagingly narrated.

Amazing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have listend to digital books for years and this my first review. Harry Belafonte's life was and is simply amazing. The narration was perfect. I have purchased hard copies of the book for myself, my son, my aunt and a close friend. It is that good.

Great historical and entertaining book!!!

Really enjoyed the content, details about public personalities and candid expression. This book had a cadence that made it exciting from beginning to the end. Awesome work!

An exceptional life... truly lived!

I loved this book and would recommend to others. Most especially anyone who wants to learn about the early Civil rights movement. or, like myself, be reminded of what it was like when we were young and the times wenhave.lived through. I'm a white 7 year old woman, who was raised in New England. I want directly touched by most of the early days as I was a child. Upon moving to NYC in 1966 that changed. Mr. Belefonte's story is a straightforward telling of the times, from an insiders viewpoint, complete with his personal beliefs and misgivings. I've adored his music since I was 11 years old, and I knew of his involvement in Civil rights.... just not the extent. I admire him all the more for having just completed this book. God bless him. He is a treasure!

Iconic

Great insight into the life of one who lived the Civil Rights. Excellent historical account of Balafonte's life and the movement for justice!

a celebration of life and human rights

I has no idea Belafonte was such a mover and shaker in the world and national events that shaped and created the United States. It was amazing to learn about his humble beginnings and his struggles as a man alien to his race, love and the industry who could be so fickle towards him on the basis of race. I am happy to hear he was able to overcome most of these obstacles and that he too made mistakes and learned from them. This book was very inspiring.

Awesome!

I thought I knew Mr Belafonte, but after reading this I can see I didn't know the half. He has touched and been touched by some of the greatest people in history!. I am truly awed .
PLEASE READ

What a life of purpose and meaning!

A five-star listen of creativity, friendship, and strategy in pursuit of the Civil Rights movement. Don’t miss this one.