Description
First edition of Thurgood Marshall by Juan Williams, inscribed to U.S. Ambassador Ed. J. Perkins.
Octavo, xviii, 459pp. Hardcover, black spine, title in gilt on spine. Publisher’s number line beginning with “2” on copyright page. Solid text block, previous ownership inscriptions on front endpapers, else fine. In publisher’s very good dust jacket, $27.50 retail price on front flap, small stains on verso, a touch of shelf wear. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “To: Ambassador Perkins – My friend, subject of a magazine profile, and a man who inspires me every day! Juan Williams / June 17, 2010 / Washington, D.C.”
Juan Williams (b. 1954) is a controversial political analyst known for his work on NPR and Fox News. Williams wrote Eyes on the Prize to accompany the Emmy Award-winning documentary series of the same name.
Dr. Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020) served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Liberia, South Africa, and Australia throughout his 25-year foreign service career. In 1986 President Ronald Reagan appointed Perkins to serve as ambassador to South Africa in hopes of fending off a congressional override to his veto of economic sanctions against the country. It was a controversial decision amidst apartheid in South Africa, and many Black leaders urged Perkins to not take the role. Perkins accepted the position and served until 1989, one year before Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He was appointed U.N. Ambassador by George H. Bush in 1992, serving for one year.
