The Leon Levy Center for Biography

Justin Gifford on Eldridge Cleaver, with Robyn C. Spencer

The figure who embodied the militant and controversial spirit of the Black Panther Party more than anyone was Eldridge Cleaver. Charismatic, brilliant, and courageous, Cleaver built a base of power and influence that struck fear deep in the heart of white America. It was therefore shocking to many left-wing radicals when Cleaver turned his back on black revolution, the Nation of Islam, and communism in 1975. By the time he died in 1998, he was largely viewed as a turncoat who had betrayed the cause of black freedom. How can we make sense of Cleaver’s precipitous decline from a position as one of America’s most vibrant black writers and activists? Justin Gifford discusses Eldridge Cleaver’s life and legacy with historian Robyn Spencer.

Robyn C. Spencer is a historian whose research centers on social protest after World War II, urban and working-class radicalism, and gender. She is an Associate Professor of History at Lehman College, City University of New York and part of the faculty in the History Department at the CUNY Graduate Center. She is the author of The Revolution Has Come: Black Power, Gender and the Black Panther Party. She is currently working on her second book, To Build the World Anew: Black Liberation Politics and the Movement Against the Vietnam War, and a biography of Angela Davis.

African American Library and Museum at Oakland

Justin Gifford on Eldridge Cleaver, with Black Panthers Emory Douglas and Judy Juanita

Take an excursion with Justin D. Gifford, Professor of English at the University of Nevada-Reno, as he focuses on his new book, Revolution or Death: The Life of Eldridge Cleaver. The book examines the life of a revolutionary and the context of his profoundly changing times. The conversation features a discussion with Dr. Gifford about his travels to Paris and Algeria for archival material as well as his work with Kathleen Cleaver and the family on the book. The talk also features some surprise appearances from Black Panther legends Emory Douglas, Judy Juanita, and more.

Please Kill Me: This is What’s Cool

Eldridge Cleaver: A Soul Forever on Ice by Richie Unterberger

Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1998) was an enigma. The former Black Panther, revolutionary and author was also a murderer, rapist, latter-day Born Again Republican and laughingstock clothes designer. Justin Gifford’s new biography of Cleaver sets the record straight, neither minimizing nor excusing the “monster” inside him but also giving him his due as a charismatic organizer and brilliant writer, helped immeasurably by two women—Beverly Axelrod (with whom he wrote Soul on Ice) and his wife, Kathleen. Richie Unterberger spoke with Gifford for PKM.

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New Books in Intellectual History

Justin Gifford on Eldridge Cleaver, with Kirk Meighoo

How can we make sense of Cleaver's precipitous decline from a position as one of America's most vibrant Black writers and activists? And how do his contradictory identities as criminal, party leader, international diplomat, Christian conservative, and Republican politician reveal that he was more than just a traitor to the advancement of civil rights?

Author Justin Gifford obtained exclusive access to declassified files from the French police, the American embassy, and the FBI, as well as Kathleen Cleaver’s archive, to answer these questions about a man far more compelling and complex than anyone has given him credit for.  He speaks with Kirk Meighoo about Cleaver’s extraordinary life. 

Kirk Meighoo is a TV and podcast host, former university lecturer, author and former Senator in Trinidad and Tobago. He hosts his own podcast, Independent Thought & Freedom, where he interviews some of the most interesting people from around the world who are shaking up politics, economics, society and ideas. 

Talk Radio Europe

Justin Gifford on Eldridge Cleaver, with Ger Sweeney

Justin Gifford discusses his book Revolution or Death: The Life of Eldridge Cleaver on the popular European radio program Talk Radio Europe.

Ink Slingers Podcast

Justin Gifford on Eldridge Cleaver, with Jenny Skoog

Justin Gifford discusses Eldridge Cleaver, Iceberg Slim, and African American literature on a podcast about life writing and the people who do it.

The David Feldman Show

Justin Gifford on Iceberg Slim, with David Feldman

Justin Gifford is the author of Street Poison: The Biography of Iceberg Slim. On today’s show we learn about Robert Beck AKA Iceberg Slim whose Pimp: The Story of My Life sold more copies than any other book written by an African American author. Written in 1967, Pimp has played a major role in the shaping of gangsta rap as well as actual pimping.

The Midnight Hour Radio Show

Justin Gifford on Iceberg Slim

Justin Gifford discusses the origins of his book, Street Poison: The Biography of Iceberg Slim.