The Tastemaker: Carl Van Vechten and the Birth of Modern America By: Edward White

An expertly written biography of a fascinating man you've never heard of!  Carl Van Vechten was an unbelievably busy man in his 84 years.  He was a report, an author, a publicist, a trend setter, a photographer, and a person who was endlessly fascinated by what he felt was true American Culture.  Because of his beliefs he was instrumental in publicizing Gertrude Stein in the States before anyone else.  He did the same for Paul Robeson's singing career and Langston Hughes.  He brought interest in the people, culture and art of Harlem to the world, helping to promote the Harlem Renaissance.  He did all of this, while being a petulant baby about how he was treated and wearing blinders to how he went about doing what he did.  This biography illuminates the amazing life of Van Vechten, illustrating his joy and fascination with everything he encountered in his world, but doesn't shy away from the odd ways in which he lived his life and went about his work.  This is an endlessly fascinating read about an endlessly fascinating man.