The captivating story of a record-setting nineteenth-century black jockey told in poetry.
In this creative foray into persona poems, Walker immerses himself in the life of African American jockey Isaac Burns Murphy (1861–1896). The son of a slave, Murphy’s legendary career riveted the attention of the nation and established him as one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Walker’s poetry breathes life into the voices of Murphy and his family, the neglected history of African Americans in thoroughbred racing, and racial tensions in the post-Civil War South.
Frank X Walker is a native of Danville, Kentucky, and associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky. He was appointed Kentucky Poet Laureate, 2013–2014 by Governor Steve Beshear. A founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, he created the word “Affrilachia” to help make visible the black experience in the Appalachian South. He is the author of five poetry collections: Affrilachia, Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York, Black Box: Poems, When Winter Come: The Ascension of York, and Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride.
More info →
Retail price:
$16.00 ·
Save 20% ($12.8)
Share 
This book is not yet available for desk or examination copy requests. Please check back soon.
Permission to reprint
Permission
to photocopy or include in a course pack
via Copyright Clearance
Center
Click or tap on a subject heading to sign up to be notified when new related books come out.
Paperback
978-0-9675424-3-0
Retail price: $16.00,
T.
Release date: July 2020
88 pages
·
5¾ × 9¼ in.
Rights: World
Sign up to be notified when new Poetry | American | African American titles come out.
We will only use your email address to notify you of new titles in the subject area(s) you follow. We will never share your information with third parties.
