The tallest tree in our forest: The extraordinary life of Paul Robeson

Nationally-celebrated college football star, prize-winning orator, world-famous singer, Hollywood actor, political activist of great renown, master of a dozen languages or more with a law degree under his belt, Paul Robeson was unarguably one of the greatest figures of the 20th century. Yet today, to many people, his name is unknown, his achievements unrecognised. Alex Whisson spoke to Jeff Sparrow, author of No Way But This: In Search of Paul Robeson. Sparrow began by explaining exactly how and why he came to write a book about the great Robeson, some four decades after his death.