Expert on black pop culture, Nelson George speaks at UAlbany

	Nelson George

UAlbany welcomes Nelson George, considered one of the foremost commentators on black culture of his generation. He will give an informal seminar at 4:15 p.m. on February 10th in the Assembly Hall in the UAlbany Campus Center and a reading that evening at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center.

George is an accomplished screenwriter, documentarian, critic, and author of seven award-winning nonfiction books, most recently Post-Soul Nation (2004), an examination of the splintering of African-American culture in the 1980s, Hip-Hop America (1998), Blackface: Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies (1994), Elevating the Game: Black Men and Basketball (1992), and The Death of Rhythm and Blues (1988). Both Hip-Hop America and The Death of Rhythm and Blues were finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award. George�s other nonfiction books include The Michael Jackson Story (1987), which made the New York Times bestseller list; Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money and God (2001), a biography of street poet Black Ice; and In Living Color: The Authorized Companion to the Fox TV Series (1991).

In his published novels, Nelson George provides closely observed and often humorous portrayals of the modern African American experience. In a New York Times review of Urban Romance (1993), his first novel, Patricia O�Connell called George, "an excellent chronicler of the political climate, styles, club scene and rap music culture of New York." His novel, Show & Tell (2001), examines the impact of the Internet on love, lust and relationships. Essence called the novel, "unabashedly fun." His newest novel, Night Work (2003), recounts the adventures of a successful black gigolo. The Publishers Weekly reviewer said, "George has a flair for keeping readers amused and entertained."

The events are sponsored by the New York State Writers Institute, celebrating its 20th year at the University at Albany. 

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