To Be Young, Gifted, And Black by Lorraine Hansberry

The book is a posthumously published autobiography in the form of a montage of the late playwright's personal writings, letters, interviews, and journal entries. It offers an intimate look into the life of a trailblazing African American woman who navigated the complexities of identity, race, and gender in mid-20th-century America. Through her eloquent and passionate prose, the book captures the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement and the author's own struggles and triumphs as she became the first black woman to have a play performed on Broadway. It serves as an inspiring testament to her enduring legacy and the power of the written word to challenge societal norms.

The 4922nd greatest book of all time


Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 84

Since this book was first published in 1969, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 84.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.