The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America

In "The Fire Is upon Us," Nicholas Buccola captures a pivotal moment in American history through the lens of a riveting debate between James Baldwin, an iconic civil rights advocate, and William F. Buckley Jr., a leading conservative thinker. On a cold February night in 1965 at the Cambridge Union, these two intellectual titans clashed over the American dream and its implications for African Americans, a confrontation that reverberates through the racial landscape of America to this day. Baldwin, with his piercing insight into the racial injustices woven into the fabric of American society, stood in stark contrast to Buckley's staunch defense of conservative values. This book not only delves into the backgrounds and ideologies of these two profoundly different men but also explores how their historic encounter underscores the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Published on October 1, 2019, this thought-provoking work is a must-read for adult education classes exploring themes of race, history, and the enduring American dream. Engage with this narrative and reflect on how the fiery exchange between Baldwin and Buckley still lights up the discourse on America's racial divide.