THE ESSENTIAL DICK GREGORY

This marvelous narration brings the comedian, activist, vegetarian, and civil rights leader vividly to life. Joe Morton gets Gregory's tone, sound, pace, and humor perfectly. Along with having mastered Gregory's unique style, he captures Gregory's humility, candor, and sense of fun. Emulating his manic energy, Morton lets Gregory's ringing soul come through in this collection of interviews, speeches, memories, and occasional other works. Famous at an early age, Gregory was a bestselling author, a nightclub comic who at the height of his success decided to play only college campuses, and a progressive who went on hunger strikes to protest a number of issues, including the Vietnam War. Sadly, his symbolic fasts may have shortened his life. This splendid collection merits a wide audience. A.D.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2022]