Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of Josephine Baker’s Last Dance now available from Gallery Books! I wish I could remember my first introduction to Josephine Baker, but it seems like it was a spicy documentary; maybe on HBO when I was a child? I remember being enthralled with her, and I could not wait to read this book. There was much more to Josephine Baker than her dance career, and this book drives that home.
My Thoughts:
Oh, how I enjoyed this look into Josephine Baker’s life. What an icon she was and continues to be with her legacy.
Who was Josephine Baker? What defines her the most. Singer? Dancer? Actor? Civil Rights activist? She even joined the French Resistance during WWII.
Josephine’s early life is marred by poverty and living in servitude. Her mother sends her out of the home as a servant while still a child living in St. Louis. Josephine endures abuse at the hands of her parents and also by those for whom she works.
Ultimately, she makes a break from her unstable and dysfunctional home life and becomes a dancer. She finds herself touring all the way to Paris. While there, she breaks all the glass ceilings for black women: the first to dance on stage in Paris, the first lead in a movie, and then an opera. She is at the top of her game career-wise and touring all over Europe.
Josephine has an encounter with Nazis while touring in Berlin, and because of that, she becomes involved with the French Resistance. What she does in this role and how she carries it out is intriguing and masterful.
After having lived in a Europe without segregation, when Josephine returns to the United States on tour, she is heartbroken and dispirited to find out that nothing has changed since she left. She vows to take on prejudice in the U.S.
I am so grateful I read this book. Josephine was a spitfire, an ingenue, a power player, and a change-maker, and I found her inspiring. Ahead of her time, she remains an icon, and Sherry Jones found the perfect way to depict her spirited nature, her passion for life, and her commitment to human rights. Josephine Baker’s Last Dance is a bold journey of a bold woman.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the opportunity to read and review this treasure of a book. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
From the author of The Jewel of Medina, a moving and insightful novel based on the life of legendary performer and activist Josephine Baker, perfect for fans of The Paris Wife and Hidden Figures.
Discover the fascinating and singular life story of Josephine Baker—actress, singer, dancer, Civil Rights activist, member of the French Resistance during WWII, and a woman dedicated to erasing prejudice and creating a more equitable world—in Josephine Baker’s Last Dance.
In this illuminating biographical novel, Sherry Jones brings to life Josephine’s early years in servitude and poverty in America, her rise to fame as a showgirl in her famous banana skirt, her activism against discrimination, and her many loves and losses. From 1920s Paris to 1960s Washington, to her final, triumphant performance, one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century comes to stunning life on the page.
With intimate prose and comprehensive research, Sherry Jones brings this remarkable and compelling public figure into focus for the first time in a joyous celebration of a life lived in technicolor, a powerful woman who continues to inspire today.
Have you read Josephine Baker’s Last Dance, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
What a truly wonderful review for the most interesting woman, Jennifer! I’m so glad to know that the book does justice to Josephine Baker. I was really young when I first heard some of her story, which was just basically her being an infamous dancer living in France. It’s been through the years that I learned a lot more about her accomplishments, the resistance being the most surprising.
Thanks for featuring this book about a woman who deserves the spotlight.
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Thank you, Jonetta! She does deserve the spotlight, and we should all be learning about her. She was an icon, and for so much more than the entertainment aspects. I am in awe of all she accomplished.
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As the saying goes..she was a lady born before her time. I have this book and now am super interested in getting to it. Perfect review,Jennifer!
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Thank you, Marialyce! I can’t wait to see what you think. She was most definitely before her time!
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Wonderful review, Jen! Your review is very educational. I’m going to have to pick this one up for sure to learn more about her. Have a great day! ❤🎄❤
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Thank you, favorite M! She was such a wonderful and enigmatic person, it was fun to write about her. I hope you get a chance to read the book! ♥️
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Love a lady with some spitfire 💕💕 This sounds wonderful! I love how you connect with historical fiction—it’s opened my mind to a new genre I’m loving!
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Thanks, Mack! You would enjoy Josephine. So much to explore and such a “character.” ♥️
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P.s. I’m so happy you are enjoying my favorite genre! 💗
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I don’t know much about her, but her story sounds fascinating and well worth a biography. Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Tammy! Such a rough start, and she made the most of her life. Inspiring and well-written novel about her life.
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Awesome review and picture, Jennifer. I have added this biography to my tbr list. Happy Reading to you! 💕📚🌻🌺
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Thank you, Virginia! ♥️ I don’t think you’ll regret adding this one! 💕 xoxo
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It sounds like she led a full and fascinating life! I defintitely need to check this one out. It would be a shame not to read about such a strong woman who seemed to do so much for our gender! 💖
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Absolutely, Nicole! She was a trailblazer and I’m so grateful I read this to know more about her story. ♥️
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I can’t wait to read this one! She was quite the lady. I love all her accomplishments and wish more people knew of all she did. Great review! xoxo ♥
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Thank you, Steph! I agree. She should definitely be taught in history classes and remembered. ♥️ Can’t wait to see what you think!
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You’re welcome! I agree! It’s such a shame so many important things are left out in history classes. It’s frustrating, really. Now that I’ve been homeschooling I’ve been shocked while teaching history to my daughter by what Wake County didn’t teach her brothers and they of course have graduated! She knows more about ancient history than they do, LOL! I told her she could help her brother next semester with his World History I class at UNC…;) I’m sure that I will love it! And I watched that same HBO documentary you mentioned! I vividly remember it! xoxo ♥
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I took all my histories in high school (AP), so the histories I took at Carolina were typically Anth classes. I missed it! I had very good history teachers in high school, but I went to a private school for high school. I hope your son loves his World History class. I wish I could take it again! 😂 Of course we were probably watching that documentary at the same time! 😉 xoxo
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I went to private school from kindergarten through high school with the exception of 2 years of home-school during 6th and 7th grade, and even though my boys went to top ranked high schools in Wake Co and the state, I can see such a difference in what I was taught while in school compared to what they were taught (AP courses for all of three of us). Of course I think if they paid public school teachers more in our state that would make a big difference too, but that’s another story! I really enjoyed the couple of ANTH courses I took at Carolina, but I did minor in HIST there, so I loved my classes! Funny thing is that a few of my old professors are still teaching history, LOL. I hope he does too, and I’ll be glad to help him if he needs it!! I feel like with my 2 boys that I’ve taken college courses over again except with my oldest because Lord knows I am not the one to ask about engineering!! Thank goodness that’s what both his dad and mine have their degrees in!! Too bad no one wanted to major in literature, haha! We probably were!! 🙂
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Wonderful review Jen! So glad you enjoyed it!💗💗
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Thanks so much, Sus! I loved it! ♥️
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This sounds fabulous – thank you so much for featuring it! I’ve heard of her but had no idea what a force for change she was…
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You’re welcome, Sarah! I’m so grateful for how this one enlightened me about her.
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Jennifer, thank you so much for reading and reviewing JOSEPHINE BAKER’S LAST DANCE. It always thrills me to encounter people who fall under her spell as I have! I am very grateful, and so happy that you enjoyed this book. ❤
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Thank you, Sherry, for taking the time to stop by and read my review. Your book was a pleasure to read, and I’m elated to have learned more about this iconic woman, one we should all know about. Thank YOU for doing the research and putting your love into writing this book. ♥️
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P.s. I’m sorry I didn’t tag you in these tweets today- there were a bunch! I couldn’t find you on twitter when I looked earlier this week and of course tonight I found you. ♥️
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A wonderful review! This sounds like it was a fantastic read, Jennifer 🙂
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Thank you, Chrissi! I adored it and learned so much!
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I’ve seen a few great reviews for this book so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it as well. I knew a little about Baker but I had no idea she was involved with the French Resistance. That’s amazing.
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It really is amazing all she was part of and how far she put herself out there to make her points. A true leader. Thanks, Suzanne!
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Wait! Whattt? I didn’t realize a book was out about Josephine Baker. Wonderful review Jennifer! I have to go out and get this one.😊 I’ve seen a documentary or two, but I’m sure I will learn a lot more about her in this book.
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Thank you, RoseMarie! I’m so happy I could be the one to first tell you about this gem! There is so much to learn about her within these pages. The author did an amazing job! And she replied to your comment, too! So fun!
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Oh wow! That’s cool, I can’t wait to read this one for sure😊
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Rose Marie, I read more than 50 books about Ms. Baker, the jazz age in Paris and the U.S., the Harlem Renaissance, and much more—and then distilled that history into a novel about her life that I hope you’ll find entertaining and inspiring—because Josephine Baker sure inspires me! She was truly amazing. My only regret in life (so far) is that I did not get to meet her while she lived.
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Josephine certainly sounds inspirational. Thanks for sharing your wonderful review, Jennifer.
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Thank you, Diana! She definitely is an inspiration. I’m so grateful to have read her story.
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Great review! I don’t know much about Josephine Baker but like you have always been intrigued by her. Sounds as if the book does her story justice. 🙂
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Thanks, FF! Yes, she’s an intriguing person for sure, and this book definitely shined a light on her as a well-rounded person.
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This book looks so interesting and stunning! ❄️
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Thank you, Berit! It was lovely!
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French Resistance? Historical fiction? Sounds fantastic and a beautiful review as always 😘
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Thank you, Beth! Yes, this has so many elements you love! A wonderfully engaging read about a strong woman! ♥️
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I know I would enjoy reading this. Strong women are my favorites. Is this non-fiction or historical fiction? I’m sure it’s a good read either way. Anne – Books of My Heart
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Hi Anne! It’s historical fiction, but she did a wealth of research on the topic. I think you’d enjoy it, too. It’s a terrific read and Josephine is unforgettable.
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I literally just took a screenshot of this post because this book is going to the top of the list for books on my Christmas list!
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I recently read this one too. Josephine Baker had such a memorable life, I enjoyed learning more about her. Great review
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Thank you! She really did, and I wish it was more common knowledge to know about all her accomplishments and not just the performance aspects because she was so much more.
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I agree! When I found out about her role in the French Resistance…I was like wow. And she had a pilot’s license which helped her in he work with the resistance! Cheers to Josephine. I picked up a children’s book about her from the library. I would love to read more about her.
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