Women, Culture, & Politics. Signed by Angela Davis. First Edition, First Printing. Random House. New York, 1989.

Angela Davis is a philosopher, activist, and scholar. She is probably the most recognizable figure from the Black Power Movement. Her political philosophy applies Marxist and feminist theories to social and economic issues. She was a member of the Communist Party for many decades, but joined Democratic Socialist organizations in the 1990s. She has also been a long-time advocate for the abolition of prisons. In 1971, she became embroiled in a major violent event when a group of Black defendants and one of their family members took the courtroom hostage in the middle of their trial. Davis had been advocating for the defendants, known as the Soledad Brothers, who were charged with murdering a prison guard after another guard had opened fire on defenseless Black inmates. When one of the firearms used in the courtroom hostage situation was traced back to Angela Davis, she was charged as a co-conspirator. She was labeled a terrorist by J. Edgar Hoover and President Nixon and spent over a year incarcerated, but was acquitted of all charges in a major legal and political victory. She went on to have a longstanding career as an activist and scholar. That career was punctuated by this volume: Women, Culture, & Politics. It contains numerous essays that address issues of race, gender, sexual violence, ethnic studies, education, and more. Of her many works, it is one perhaps more accessible to the general public, but one no less radical and visionary.

This first edition, first printing is signed by Angela Davis on the front free endpaper. It is in near-fine condition. In the original quarter cloth, very nearly fine with only minor soiling to edges. Text block near-fine, only foxing and very minor soiling to edges. In the original dust jacket, very nearly fine with only bumping to edges.

A scarce signed first edition of Women, Culture, & Politics.