Reviewed by Brad Manker
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Susan Robeson
Grandpa Stops a War is a biographical picture book of the singer and political activist Paul Robeson — written by his granddaughter — about his involvement in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The book provides some background on Robeson’s rise to fame as a respected singer, athlete, lawyer, and thespian in the face of staggering racism in the United States. It also tells of his efforts to raise money for Spanish Republican troops fighting against fascist Nationalists in the early 20th century.
The book culminates with both armies listening to Robeson’s deep, rich voice as he sings on the front lines near Teruel, Spain. As with many tales passed down from generation to generation, Robeson’s actions are embellished, other significant aspects of his life are never mentioned, and key figures in the Spanish Civil War are omitted entirely. The author’s end note provides the most interesting details about her grandfather and the Spanish Civil War. Why not include more of these specifics in the actual story?
Admittedly, I knew little about Paul Robeson until I read this book. Although it served as a decent introduction to an extraordinary man, I wanted to know more about his accomplishments. This prompted me to do additional research, such as reading the Abraham Lincoln Brigade booklet on Robeson in Spain. This renaissance individual, once blacklisted by McCarthy-era conspiracy theorists and unfairly persecuted by the FBI, should be celebrated for his efforts to challenge fascism and for his tireless fight for social justice. Susan Robeson’s loving tribute to her grandfather spotlights a moment he described as “a major turning point in [his] life,” but by focusing on Paul’s trip to Spain, the author fails to paint a more comprehensive picture of her grandfather.
The title suggests that Robeson accomplished a remarkable feat that, in reality, he did not. The book begins with “Daddy said that it takes a man of peace to stop a war. And that’s just what my Grandpa Paul did. He stopped a war.” At the end of the book, the author writes, “When grandpa sang, there was peace.” When Robeson sang at Teruel, there was only a temporary ceasefire but not peace. Peace would not be achieved for many years, as Spanish rebels continued to fight against the fascist government forces until Spain entered World War II. Franco’s dictatorship lasted until 1975 — just two months before Robeson’s death — so only then did Spain achieve some semblance of peace.
There are other omissions, listed below, that lead me to recommend this book only if combined with other resources:
- The overall tone of the war is a vague, generic description that does not provide much historical context. (The illustrations depict a brown army fighting a blue one.) The Spanish Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in Europe since the end of World War I and served as a precursor to the horrors to come with the rise of fascism in Europe. Generals Mola and Franco led an uprising to overthrow the democratically-elected Spanish government and appealed to the fascist governments of Italy and Germany for help.
- The story includes only an end note about the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a group of 2,800 American volunteer soldiers — and the first racially-integrated military unit — who were fighting to stop the rise of fascism in Europe.
- The author does not mention commander Oliver Law, the inspiring Black American general of the Lincoln Brigade, and his influence on Robeson and singer Harry Belafonte.
Brad Manker serves as a fellow with Teaching for Change. He is an educator, curriculum designer, and independent researcher with a background in elementary education.
Grandpa Stops a War by Susan Robeson
Published by Seven Stories Press on April 9, 2019
Genres: War
Pages: 48
Reading Level: Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9781609808839
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Publisher's Synopsis: "It takes a man of peace to stop a war."
The true story of Paul Robeson's visit to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War is a tale of courage and activism told by his granddaughter, Susan Robeson. Grandpa Paul was a world-famous actor and singer with a deep and rumbling voice, a man of peace and principle who worried about the safety of children and families living in countries at war. He wanted to use his voice to promote social justice all over the world. Though people warned Grandpa Paul that it was too dangerous, he traveled with his friend Captain Fernando to the battlefields of the Spanish Civil War to sing to the soldiers. And then something amazing happened. . . .
With gorgeous illustrations from fine artist Rod Brown, Grandpa Stops a War celebrates Paul Robeson's global activism and towering achievements, and shows readers the power of music in times of discord and war.
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