Books

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Octavo, 303 pages. In Very Good condition, and lacking issued dust jacket. Bound in orange cloth with gilt lettering. Front board with light discoloration along the fore edge half. Minor shelf wear. Light age toning to text block, with top edge dyed blue. Foxing to pastedowns. Signature of previous owner on front free endpaper. Shelved in Case 2. 1372699. Shelved Dupont Bookstore.

Go Tell It on the Mountain is a semi-autobiographical novel by James Baldwin that examines the role of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, both as a source of repression and moral hypocrisy and as a source of inspiration and community. It also details the social and psychological pressures that lead to the moral and spiritual decline of John Grimes, a teenage boy much like Baldwin himself.

Determining if a copy of 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' is a first edition can involve looking for the publisher's name and the publication date matching the first edition details (Alfred A. Knopf, 1953). Additionally, a stated 'First Edition' on the copyright page, along with no other printings listed, can signify it is a first edition.