Eugene Crowley, Jr. was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, has a master’s degree in General Psychology, and spent 32 years teaching the wisdom from mythology to his high school students in Chicago. He has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. He wrote his book, “Upside Down World: The Loss of the Sacred Cosmos,” to give his readers the meaning of life in discovering their own sacred cosmos. He would like to see a “New Enlightenment” with the use of the wisdom from the past holistic cultures who began civilizations. He encourages our culture to return to its Eastern roots by having its spiritual awakening in opening the mind and heart. After participating in the conference “A Language To Dwell In: James Baldwin, Paris, and International Visions” at the American University in Paris in May 2016, he wrote “Paris On My Mind: Thoughts of Paris, James Baldwin, and Harlem.” It reveals Baldwin’s views on racism, his observations, solutions, and consequences. (Amazon, 2023)

“Paris On My Mind” gives the truths of the past for readers to become victors instead of victims over social conflicts. The author expresses his thoughts on James Baldwin, his life and writings, and explains that his wisdom echoes ancient philosophers and encourages his readers not to fall victim to America’s social problems. He believes that knowing the truth would set one free. Baldwin provided the truths of the past and gives his readers their purpose in life. He depended on religion and the wisdom of the past in confronting social ills. The book is divided into 12 chapters including The First Time I Saw Paris, Examining Our Civilizations, and James Baldwin in a Post-Racial America. The first two chapters give the author’s early connection with Paris since his hometown, St. Joseph, Missouri, had a French founder, Joseph Robidoux. He also explains why he became enamored with Paris, including that since the city was the innovator of urban streetlights, could this mean that it was, metaphorically, “responsible for giving light to the entire world?” The rest of the book explores the American way of thinking in terms of racial and societal issues, highlights of Harlem today and in the 1920s, then circles back to his thoughts on Paris on the last time he visited the city.

Racism on a global stage can be a touchy subject but now more than ever, it needs to be addressed. Aside from taking a closer look at James Baldwin’s life, how he defined racism and his coping strategies, Eugene Crowley, Jr. stresses the importance of awakening the spiritual, not religious, part of our lives, similar to how past civilizations placed greater importance to the soul, which is divine in nature. In doing so, everyone, including blacks, whites, young, and old can use this wisdom to conquer their adversaries because when we re-discover our spiritual identity, we can live “more genuine, authentic, and peaceful lives.” This insightful and eye opening book is full of history, soul searching, and useful advice, written using language that everyone can understand and put into use in their lives. Highlights include Chapter 3: The American Madness where the author writes that racial conflict is not the ‘Negro problem,’ but rather ‘The American Madness’ and Chapter 5: Dwelling in Languages where he writes that due to the harsh language that he used sometimes, James Baldwin had his critics, but mostly because people “find it difficult to hear of their irrational behaviors.” In other words, people, regardless of race, tend to lash out when confronted with their questionable behaviors. One final piece of practical advice he gives, about life in general, is “The best solution for boredom is to become active. Life was not meant to be lived in one space.” Overall, “Paris On My Mind” is a an excellent examination of the life and works of James Baldwin and a gentle reminder that to live a more peaceful life, we should strive for a more spiritual existence. It is recommended for fans of biographies, personal growth, and spirituality who appreciate practical life advice.

“When we remember our spiritual identity, we place racism and bigotry in their proper place as immature behaviors from people who have not awaken their spirit.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.