John Jakes (1932–) is an American writer. The library holds one work by him, Shango. Public information about him is currently limited: his nationality, dates of birth and death, education, awards, and career details are not reliably documented, so a systematic account of his life cannot be given. As for the work at hand, the title Shango suggests a subject possibly connected with African or Caribbean cultural backgrounds, but reliable information about its plot, characters, and date of writing is lacking and should not be guessed. Jakes's writing style and literary influence likewise cannot be assessed for lack of material. What can be confirmed is that he is a writer whose work is held in the collection, and that his writing at least covers the kind of narrative represented by Shango. A fuller evaluation of his literary standing would require additional biographical, bibliographical, and critical sources. This introduction is based on the limited facts in the library record and includes no unverified personal experiences or honors.
