THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: The Essential James Baldwin

He wrote with the kind of clarity that was as comforting as it was chastising. Here’s where to start.

The legendary icon James Baldwin at home in Saint Paul de Vence, South of France, in 1985. Ulf Andersen/Getty Images

Hello Family,

I had the distinct honor and privilege of writing about James Baldwin for a series in The New York Times Book Review. The series highlights the works of great writers for audiences who may have never read them and would like g…