Rating: 
Summary: An Artist for all People!!!
Review: For those who like and admire the poetic works of Langston Hughes, this is the book to purchase. This book collects all the "known" and "published" poems written by Hughes within his lifetime and at the different stages in his life. You have the so-called "race" poems that celebrate the dignity and beauty of black Americans, you have the poems of social protest such as those written during the 1930's that deal with inequality and injustice common to all regardless of race, the poems meant for children, and you even have the trite subject matter about love lost and found and springtime, nearly all written in the style of jazz and the blues that Hughes loved so much. Congrates must go to Arnold Rampersad and David Rossel for the effort in gathering these poems in their most current rendition as Hughes last wrote them. An effort was made by the editors to put the poems in the order they were written and published. A number of the poems were meant to be accompanied by jazz and blues music or read aloud in a specific way to drive home the point of the piece.
At first glance, all the poems collected in this book appear simple and straight foreward. But, Hughes was skilled at putting a lot of meaning into just a few lines of his work. An example are the poems "Cross" and "Mulatto" which tell how the mixed bloodlines of every decendent of the pure blooded African slave and European came to exist today in modern black America and how prejudice denied them the right to claim all their heritages (political correct stereotypes, labels, are doing the same today!!!). My favorite of the poems here is "Dream Variation." Carl Van Vetchen truncated some of the poem in his introduction to the the WEARY BLUES, the first book by Hughes. Langston's love for black Americans is evident throughout all his catalogue of work from essays, short stories novels, and plays as well as poetry. But this affection and the black pride he possessed did not exclude the bond of brotherhood he felt for all people regardless of race and color. This isn't to say that behind the famous smile there wasn't an angry black man. Hughes was angry at all the injustices against black Americans, but he did not let his anger consume and blind him. He bridled his anger and used it constructively, the testament of a true artist of the any people.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading
Review: I purchased this book when I had to write an essay on the poems of Langston Hughes. I will refer to and enjoy this book forever. The poems of Langston Hughes are timeless and poignant; sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes uplifting. I firmly believe that some of his poems should be required reading for ALL Americans. If you're a fan of Hughes, add this book to your collection-- you'll have almost every poem he ever wrote at your fingertips. If you haven't been introduced to the illustrious Langston Hughes, you will not regret picking up this book.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading
Review: I purchased this book when I had to write an essay on the poems of Langston Hughes. I will refer to and enjoy this book forever. The poems of Langston Hughes are timeless and poignant; sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes uplifting. I firmly believe that some of his poems should be required reading for ALL Americans. If you're a fan of Hughes, add this book to your collection-- you'll have almost every poem he ever wrote at your fingertips. If you haven't been introduced to the illustrious Langston Hughes, you will not regret picking up this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Complete Collection of a Master
Review: I've long been a fan of Hughes work, but was not aware of how much he had written until I got this collection. It is too bad that Hughes is often labeled as a "Harlen Renaissance" poet and then dismissed, because his poetry still holds meaning today for anyone willing to hear it. Hughes states his universal truths in an American voice, while at the same time exposing the flaws of American society (flaws which in many ways still exist today as much as they did in the 20's, 30's and 40's).This is great poetry, and I still read from it again and again. Highly recommended for anyone and everyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Complete Collection of a Master
Review: I've long been a fan of Hughes work, but was not aware of how much he had written until I got this collection. It is too bad that Hughes is often labeled as a "Harlen Renaissance" poet and then dismissed, because his poetry still holds meaning today for anyone willing to hear it. Hughes states his universal truths in an American voice, while at the same time exposing the flaws of American society (flaws which in many ways still exist today as much as they did in the 20's, 30's and 40's). This is great poetry, and I still read from it again and again. Highly recommended for anyone and everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: All the Hughes you'll ever need
Review: If you want Langston Hughes poems for a class or for personal use/reference, look no further. 860 poems puts you firmly in the completist category of Hughes's poetic output, so go ahead and fill out your library with this edition. A necessary buy for poets, teachers of literature of any stripe, and history buffs of the 20s through the 60s.
Rating:
Summary: All the Hughes you'll ever need
Review: If you want Langston Hughes poems for a class or for personal use/reference, look no further. 860 poems puts you firmly in the completist category of Hughes's poetic output, so go ahead and fill out your library with this edition. A necessary buy for poets, teachers of literature of any stripe, and history buffs of the 20s through the 60s.
Rating:
Summary: An American as Well as an African-American Classic
Review: It is easy to take for granted how much of American culture has its roots in African-American culture, especially literature and music. If you are looking for an example of this notion, you have come to the right place. Langston Hughes's poetry is steeped in Jazz rhythms and social consciousness; it is, at the same time, an assertion of black civil rights and an astute observation of black (and, by extension, American) cultural awareness. In short, it is "must reading" for anyone with an interest in any of these areas. It's a big book, certainly not something one can devour in a single sitting. Then, again, one wouldn't want to; this is a collection of poems to savor and reflect upon.
Rating:
Summary: Two really great poems in this collection.
Review: Langston Hughes is one of the most amazing poets of the 20th century. He is called the "Poet Laurete of the Negro Race." You can see his passion for writing through the beautiful poems included in this collection. "The Negro Speaks Rivers" is one of my favorite poems. Written in 1919 on the train to Mexico, it was the first poem that Hughes ever wrote. It is now a landmark in African American Literature as it marks the beginning of the Harlem Renassiance. Hughes poem "Harlem" touches me deeply. The opening line grabs the reader: "What happens to a dream defered?" Hughes knows his passion and used it to snag the reader, taking them to a world of rich culture and beautiful ideals.
Rating:
Summary: Poetic Snapshots - Langston Hughes
Review: Langston Hughes poetic snapshots of his time creatively painted the social, mental, spiritual, and physical mood. I felt his joy, his pain, as well as his strength. It's a true classic.
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