The People Can Fly

“A reflection of the past and a hope for the future.”

–NPR
“A blend of memoir, cultural history and literary criticism, “The People Can Fly” lets Bennett consider Black excellence through the lens of the child prodigy and the savant. Bennett displays a well-honed gift for the kind of parsing and exegesis that characterizes both fields… he excels at illuminating a text and synthesizing the work of other scholars, exploring every angle to reveal previously unseen facets. Taken together, “We” and “The People Can Fly” offer not necessarily an antidote but a record of ascension…There is power in pressing on in the face of obstacles and opposition.“–The New York Times
“Bennett renders this lush history in lively, captivating prose, smoothly transporting us back to the city blocks, bars, cafes and stages these artists traversed and inhabited. Perhaps most endearingly, and what makes this book shine with a refreshing dynamism, is that this history is also his own.”–Tas Tobey, The New York Times
“An inspiring invitation to welcome creativity and intelligence wherever they may be found.” –Kirkus
“A sprawling meditation on the history of African American child geniuses and prodigies… It adds up to a profound rumination on what is needed to foster children’s promise.”–Publishers Weekly
“In his personal and clear-eyed examination of Black prodigies, Joshua Bennett movingly shows that true genius is nurtured and protected by love.”–Vanessa Willoughby, BookPage
Praise for Joshua Bennett:
“The People Can Fly is a celebration of Black brilliance and the truth that we rise highest when we rise together. By reminding us that our culture is not just survival, but genius, joy, and possibility, Bennett cements his legacy as a brilliant writer and a guiding light for our world.”–Anna Malaika Tubbs, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Mothers and Erased
“A tender celebration of vulnerability and the strength that blooms quietly in its presence.”–The Atlantic
“At a moment in American culture punctuated to a heartbreaking degree by acts of hatred, violence and disregard… Joshua Bennett’s astounding, dolorous, rejoicing voice is indispensable.”–Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of To Free the Captives
“Don’t miss this superb laying bare of Black joy and genius!”–Dr. Cornel West, American philosopher and author of the national bestseller Race Matters
“I am emboldened and sharpened by Bennett’s genius and by his love made plain across each of these shimmering pages.”–Aracelis Girmay, author of The Black Maria
“Joshua Bennett knows his life’s purpose is to teach–and that’s exactly what he does with The People Can Fly. This book will levitate your mind and enrich your soul. The text doesn’t follow rules or pacify the reader. Bennett’s poetic nature shines through on every page. Not only is it a joy to read, but it’s an honor to be taught by one of the most prolific professors on the planet. This book is a masterclass in literature and a necessary reminder to cherish the child in all of us.”–Lena Waithe, Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, and screenwriter
“With a singularly expansive and compassionate view of history, Bennett sweeps across generations of joy, suffering, and connection.”–Lit Hub

Dr. Joshua Bennett is the author of The Sobbing School (Penguin, 2016), which was a National Poetry Series selection and a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. He is also the author of Being Property Once Myself (Harvard University Press, 2020), Owed (Penguin, 2020), The Study of Human Life (Penguin, 2022), and Spoken Word: A Cultural History (Knopf, 2023).

He has received fellowships and awards from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Whiting Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. He is a Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at MIT.