Mae West: An Icon in Black and White

Mae West: The Radically Subversive Artist You Never Knew Discover the life and work of the most controversial star of stage and screen, Mae West.

This comprehensive and interpretive account uncovers the enigmatic life of a woman who defied convention and challenged society's assumptions regarding race, class, and gender.

Through previously untapped sources, author Jill Watts traces West's early years in Brooklyn's underworld culture and follows her journey to Hollywood stardom.

Explore the paradoxes of this complex artist and how she appropriated African American culture, music, dance, and humor to create a subversive voice that artfully challenged society.

This fascinating study reveals West as a trickster who hinted at her own African-American ancestry and the phenomenon of a black woman passing for white.

Don't miss out on this groundbreaking biography that will forever change your perception of Mae West and her remarkable legacy.