The Book of Harlan

The Book of Harlan is a captivating tale that weaves together the stories of McFadden's ancestors with those of real and imagined characters, set against the backdrop of World War II.

The book opens with the courtship of Harlan's parents and his 1917 birth in Macon, Georgia, before following him as he becomes a professional musician in Harlem.

When Harlan and his best friend, Lizard Robbins, are invited to perform at a popular cabaret in Paris, they jump at the opportunity, but their dreams of stardom are shattered when the City of Light falls under Nazi occupation.

The book skillfully blends historical fact with imaginative storytelling, transporting readers to the heart of the Harlem Renaissance and the horrors of Buchenwald concentration camp.

With its richly detailed prose and compelling characters, The Book of Harlan is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, music, or the power of the human spirit.