To Die for the People

Long an iconic figure for radicals, Huey Newton is now being discovered by those interested in the history of America’s social movements. This new release of a classic collection of his writings and speeches traces the development of Newton’s personal and political thinking, as well as the radical changes that took place in the formative years of the Black Panther Party. More than just a historic record, Newton’s prescience and foresight make these documents strikingly pertinent today.

Huey Newton was the founder, leader, and chief theoretician of the Black Panther Party, and one of America’s most dynamic and important revolutionary philosophers.

“"The former leader and chief theoretician of the Black Panther Party, Huey Newton was (and for some, remains) an iconic figure. This new edition of writings and speeches from between 1967 and 1971 moves Newton out of the haze of memory and brings his ideas (as well as the early history of the Panthers) into sharp focus. Recording the Party's internal struggles, rivalries, and contradictions, selections trace the development of Newton's personal and political thinking during these tumultuous five years. A new introduction by activist and former Panther Elaine Brown puts Newton's writings and political ideas into broader perspective. This book will greatly appeal to both political activists and readers interested in the history of social movements."”

From Library Journal's review for The Huey Newton Reader: "... passionate and captivating writings that reveal a widely read political theorist committed to putting theory into practice to make a better world. This book is essential reading and primary-source research material for understanding the Black Panther Party, grass-roots organizing at its best, and the black power movement. "

Huey Newton was co-founder and leader of the Black Panther Party, and its chief theoretician. In 1967 Newton was arrested and charged with killing an Oakland police officer during a dispute, leading to a much-publicized "Free Huey" campaign. In 1980, Newton earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of California. He died in 1989. Toni Morrison is a Nobel-prize winning American author, editor and professor. Among the best known of her novels are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. Elaine Brown became, in 1974, the first and only woman to lead the Black Panther Party. Today, as an activist, writer and popular lecturer, she promotes the vision of an inclusive and egalitarian society, focusing on resolving problems of race, gender oppression and class disparity in the United States.

Long an iconic figure for radicals, Huey Newton is now being discovered by those interested in the history of America's social movements. This new release of a classic collection of his writings and speeches traces the development of Newton's personal and political thinking, as well as the radical changes that took place in the formative years of the Black Panther Party. More than just a historic record, Newton's prescience and foresight make these documents strikingly pertinent today. Huey Newton was the founder, leader, and chief theoretician of the Black Panther Party, and one of America's most dynamic and important revolutionary philosophers.

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