Go Tell It On the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Written over a span of ten years, Go Tell It on the Mountain is James Baldwin’s first completed novel. The story follows John Grimes, a bright teen living in Harlem in the 1930s, as he explores relationships with his family and his church. On a basic level, Go Tell It on the Mountain is a coming of age story, yet the novel gains complexity as the omniscient narrator interweaves John’s story with the stories of his mother, father, and aunt.

In addition to the Grimes family, a main focus of the text is the function of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, which Baldwin argues to be a source of moral hypocrisy and repression. And with a title like Go Tell It on the Mountain, it is no surprise that the novel contains has many biblical references throughout.

The novel is generally accepted as semi-autobiographical. Like the protagonist, Baldwin grew up in Harlem. Neither had a relationship with their biological fathers and both resented their religious fanatic stepfathers. Also like John, Baldwin underwent a religious awakening as a young adult.

Go Tell It on the Mountain is ranked 39th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and is also listed on TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923). In 1984, ABC produced a made-for-television movie based on the novel.

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First Edition Identification

Knopf first published Go Tell it on the Mountain in New York in 1953. Bound in red cloth, the first edition states “First Edition” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed. Its dust jacket states the original price of $3.50. First editions of Go Tell it on the Mountain have sold for $8,000-10,000. 

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Go Tell It on the Mountain (advance reading copy)
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Go Tell It on the Mountain (advance reading copy)

by James Baldwin

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Jacket Condition
Unjacketed
Edition
First Edition (advance reading copy)
Published
1953
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Perfect bound
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Borzio Book published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1953. Advance reading copy of James Baldwin's first novel issued before publication of the hardcover first edition. Considered to be semi-autobiographical and tells the story of a depression-era Harlem teenager. The cover art used on the advance copies was rejected by the author and replaced for the first printing. Cover as shown… Read more about this item
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GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
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GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

by JAMES BALDWIN

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FIRST
Published
1953
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A VERY GOOD FIRST EDITION IN DUST JACKET $3.50 FIRST ISSUE Listed on Modern Library's 100 greatest novels of the twentieth century. Slightly faded spine. AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOK
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A$9,169.19
Go tell it on the mountain.

Go tell it on the mountain.

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - Good. Good+ condition.
Published
1963
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Trade paperback
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Clayton, Missouri, USA
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New York: Dial Press, 1963. Trade paperback. Good. Good+ condition.. 253 p. 22 cm.
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by JAMES BALDWIN

Condition
Brand New
Binding
Softcover
ISBN 10
0141185910
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PENGUIN BOOKS LTD, UK. Softcover. Brand New. No shipping to PO BOX, APO, FPO addresses. Kindly provide day time phone number in order to ensure smooth delivery. 100% Customer satisfaction guaranteed! We use Fast Shipping via DHL/FEDEX/UPS
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Go Tell it on the Mountain.

by Baldwin, James.

Condition
Used - Fine with no dust jacket
Edition
First Edition; First Printing
Published
1954
Binding
Softcover
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Santa Monica, California, USA
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New York: Signet Books.. Fine with no dust jacket. 1954. First Edition; First Printing. Softcover. First paperback edition. INSCRIBED by James Baldwin to Kurt Enoch, publisher of Signet and New American Library, on dedication page with "To Kurt, with best wishes - Jimmy Baldwin." Fine in pictorial printed wrappers. Author's critically acclaimed FIRST book. A remarkable … Read more about this item
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GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

by BALDWIN, James

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First Illustrated Edition
Published
1979
Binding
Hardcover
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Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, USA
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Franklin Center, PA: Franklin Library, 1979. First Illustrated Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Burt Silverman. Bound in full brown decorated leather. The First SIGNED Limited edition of Baldwin's first book with a previously unpublished introduction by the author. Illustrated by Burt Silverman.
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Go Tell It On The Mountain
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by James Baldwin

Condition
Used - Fine
Published
1979
Binding
Leather Hardcover
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Jackson, Wyoming, USA
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Franklin Library 1979. Signed Limited Edition. Leather bound. All edges gilt. Raised Bands. Tight binding and crisp pages. Thread sewn pages. 22 kt. gold lettering and accents. Silk moiré end sheets and page marker. Laid-in notes from the editors. Signed by author. 232 pp
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A$1,554.10
Go Tell it on the Mountain
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Go Tell it on the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - Fine in Fine dust jacket
Published
1981
Binding
Hardcover
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St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Shelton, Connecticut: The First Edition Library, 1981. Hardcover. Fine in Fine dust jacket. 21 x 14 cm. Octavo. 303pp.The publisher "The First Edition Library" produced high quality facsimiles of first editions of many classic works. These works differ from a true first only in that they come in a slipcase and that they have a small statement of… Read more about this item
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Go Tell It on the Mountain
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Go Tell It on the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

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Edition
Advance Reading Copy
Published
1953
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953. Advance Reading Copy. Advance reading copy, issued to reviewers before publication of the first edition, with alternate artwork not used in the first edition. [x], 303, [1] pp. Perfectbound in publisher's illustrated wraps. Very Good, dampstain to front wrap; spine sunned, creased, and rubbed along edges. Slight curling to front wrap, wear at… Read more about this item
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A$14,763.95
Go Tell it on the Mountain
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Go Tell it on the Mountain

by James Baldwin

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1970
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
055207764x
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Traralgon, Victoria, AUS
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Corgi, UK, 1970. Paperback. Good. Paperback. 254 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Corgi, UK, 1970. *** CONDITION: This book is in good condition. More specifically: . Pages are reasonably tanned. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: "Mountain," Baldwin said, "is the book I had to write if I was ever going to write anything else." Go Tell It… Read more about this item
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Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go Tell It on the Mountain

by BALDWIN, James

Condition
Used - Very Good
Published
1971
Binding
Softcover
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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A$31.08

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New York: Dell, 1971. Softcover. Very Good. Reprint. Very good with wear along the spine and at the corners.
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A$31.08
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Go Tell it on the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - Near Fine to Fine
Jacket Condition
No Jacket (as issued)
Edition
Limited Edition
Published
1979
Binding
Quantity Available
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SANTA BARBARA, California, USA
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Franklin Center, Pa: The Franklin Library, 1979. Nice copy. Light brown leather beautifully tooled with much gilt decoration. Signed by author on tipped in leaf. Includeds new introduction written by Baldwin explaining how the book came about. All edges gilt. Ribbon bookmarker sewn in. Scarce any condition. Gilt tarnished slightly on… Read more about this item
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Go Tell It on the Mountain (Modern Library)

by James Baldwin

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1995-09-26
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679601546
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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Modern Library, 1995-09-26. Hardcover. Good.
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Go Tell It on the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Published
1979
Binding
Hardcover
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Silverdale, Pennsylvania, USA
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Franklin Center, PA: The Franklin Library. Near Fine. 1979. Hardcover. Genuine brown leather binding with gold-stamped decoration and spine-title, three raised spine-bands, all edges gilt, silk moire end-papers, ribbon bookmark, illustrations by Burt Silverman, and a special message from the author included for this edition only, signed by the author and includes the publisher's original tissue-guard… Read more about this item
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Mary Tyler Moore 1936-2017: Celebrating the Life of a TV Pioneer

by Sutton, Larry (Ed.)

Condition
Used - Fine+
Jacket Condition
No Jacket as Issued
Edition
No Edition Stated.
Published
2017
Binding
Card Cover
ISBN 10
1683309677
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Lyndhurst, Ontario, CAN
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New York: People Books/Time Inc. Books, 2017. No Edition Stated. . Card Cover. Fine+/No Jacket as Issued. 10 3/4" X 8 . People Commemorative Edition. A compilation of 13 illustrated essays/articles. 96 pp. Bit of wear at base of spine ow, book is as new. Bookseller's Inventory #… Read more about this item
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Go Tell It On The Mountain
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - fine
Edition
limited
Published
1979
Binding
Hardcover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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Franklin Library, 1979. limited. hardcover. fine. Signed limited edition. Leather-bound. Book in fine condition.
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A$1,398.69
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by JAMES BALDWIN

Condition
Brand New
Binding
Softcover
ISBN 10
0141185910
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Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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PENGUIN BOOKS LTD, UK. Softcover. Brand New. We ship fast via USPS/FedEx/DHL/Aramex Express Services. No shipping to PO BOX, APO, FPO addresses. Kindly provide day time phone number in order to ensure smooth delivery. We may ship from Asian regions for inventory purpose. 100% Customer satisfaction guaranteed! We use Fast Shipping via DHL/FEDEX/UPS
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Go Tell It On the Mountain
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Go Tell It On the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - Near fine.
Edition
Signed limited
Published
1979
Binding
Leather hardcover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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A$543.94

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Franklin Center, PA: Franklin Library, 1979. Signed limited. leather hardcover. Near fine.. A near fine leather-bound signed edition, signed by James Baldwin.
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A$543.94
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by James Baldwin

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN 10
055207764X
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Youngtown, Arizona, USA
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A$5.44

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Signet. Mass Market Paperback. Used - Acceptable. Cover not as depicted. Name of previous owner inside cover. Slight shelf wear on the cover.
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A$5.44
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Go Tell It On The Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Condition
Used - VG+
Edition
Reprint
Published
1972
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
055207764x
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Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS
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A$30.00

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Description:
London: Corgi Books, 1972 12mo. original printed paper wraps (a little rubbed & creased, slight toning and sunning, else clean & unmarked); pp. 254, [2 (pubs. cat.). A very good copy.. Reprint. Soft Cover. VG+.
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A$30.00