James Baldwin is one of 20th America's greatest and most underappreciated writers. Born into poverty, Baldwin pushed against America's race restrictions. He expatriated to Europe but his heart remained in The States. Drawn in by news of his homeland brutal, bloody and sometimes deadly Civil Rights struggle he returned. More than 30 years after his death, James Baldwin's work continues to provoke and inspire. This is his story in broad strokes. It is a bare-bones primer and invitation to learn more about the man and his work.