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The personal librarian  Cover Image CD Audiobook CD Audiobook

The personal librarian / Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Benedict, Marie, (author.). Murray, Victoria Christopher, (author.). Miles, Robin, (narrator.).

Summary:
"The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian--who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white--her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go--for the protection of her family and her legacy--to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives."-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780593501528
  • ISBN: 0593501527
  • Physical Description: 10 audio discs (approximately 12 hr., 30 min.) : CD audio, digital ; 4 3/4 in.
  • Edition: Unabridged.
  • Publisher: New York, NY : Penguin Audio, [2021]

Content descriptions

General Note:
Title from web page.
Compact discs.
"A Good Morning America book club pick!"
Participant or Performer Note:
Read by Robin Miles.
Subject: Greene, Belle da Costa > Fiction.
African American women > Fiction.
Passing (Identity) > Fiction.
Racism > United States > Fiction.
Women librarians > Fiction.
New York (N.Y.) > History > 1898-1951 > Fiction.
Genre: Historical fiction.
Audiobooks.

Available copies

  • 27 of 27 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 1 current hold with 27 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Albright Memorial Library TALKING BOOKS BENEDIC (Text) 50686016075751 Adult Audio Available -
Blossburg Memorial Library BOC BEN (Text) 30063000256018 Audiobook Available -
Dalton Community Library TALKING BOOKS BENEDIC (Text) 50689010445384 Adult Audio Available -
Dillsburg Area Public Library Adults BEN Audiobook (Text) 34001001399185 Audio Area Available -
DuBois Public Library AUDIO CD BENEDICT (Text) 61000100063961 Adult Audiobook Available -
Fleetwood Area Public Library BEN (Text) 33249024352506 Book on CD fiction Available -
Forest City F CDBOOK BENE (Text) 38000000620019 SSQF Main Floor Available -
Guthrie Memorial Library: Hanover's Public Library Adults BEN Audiobook (Text)
Bookplate: Plated 2021: In Memory of Arlene Utz Hollinger
34007002439680 Audio Area Available -
Hallstead - Great Bend F CDBOOK BENE (Text) 36000000428621 SSQH Main Floor Available -
Hamburg Public Library BEN (Text) 33249023637287 Book on CD fiction Available -

Summary: "The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian--who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white--her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go--for the protection of her family and her legacy--to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives."--

Additional Resources