"The Fire Next Time" is a book written by James Baldwin, a prominent African American writer and social critic. Published in 1963, the book is a powerful reflection on race relations in America during the Civil Rights Movement era.

The title of the book comes from a line in an African American spiritual which warns of God's imminent judgment. In "The Fire Next Time," Baldwin explores the complexities of racism, injustice, and the struggle for equality in America.

The book consists of two essays, the first addressed to Baldwin's nephew and the second to the American people as a whole. Baldwin discusses the need for African Americans to find their own identity and resist internalizing the negative stereotypes imposed on them by society. He also examines the role of religion in perpetuating racism and calls for a more honest and open dialogue to bridge the racial divide.

"The Fire Next Time" had a significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement and continues to be a seminal work in Black history. Baldwin's eloquent and impassioned writing remains relevant today, as issues of race and social justice continue to be a central focus of American society.