Cultural Books

Eva Rutland's When We Were Colored is the slightest of these three books, but in some ways the most intriguing. A collection of personal essays originally printed during the 1950s in women's magazines such as Redbook, Woman's Day, and Ladies Home Journal, they were first published in 1964 under the title The Trouble with Being a Mama. Thus, with the exception of the new preface written for this reissue, the book is not retrospective but rather a series of contemporaneous accounts of her family's experience of what she calls "integration qualms." At times, Rutland would agree with Henry Louis Gates Jr., who wrote in his better-known memoir Colored People (1996), "For many of the colored people in Piedmont . . .integration was experienced as a loss. The warmth and nurturance of the womblike colored world was slowly and inevitably disappearing." However, Rutland's overall purpose was not to indulge such nostalgia, but to educate her readership, who were largely white women. Her pedagogical methods are shrewd. She begins each essay "seeking common ground with white mothers" on issues such as the role of "psychology" in childrearing, helping your children make friends, moving the family to a new neighborhood, difficulties with husbands and fathers, preparing children for school and dating, and joining the PTA.

Once she has built firm connections with her readers, she introduces the "hook" at the end of each essay. She describes the day her brothers, walking home from work, were jumped by a group of "white boys" and cut with switchblades. She ends the essay with a reflection on her brother Sam, a college graduate:

the deep, ugly bruises of a lifetime of blows--the long, long walk on a cold, wintry day to the segregated school, the push to the back of the bus, the climb to the "jim crow" section of the theater to see a special movie, the longing walk past the spacious parks and swimming pools reserved for whites, and job--truck driver, under the supervision of a man whose education could not touch his own. The switchblade marks were only the surface marks--a symbol of "what they think I am."
Many essays end with similar anecdotes: her daughter's white schoolmate whose mother won't let her "come over"; a bright black child with excellent grades placed with the "slow learners" in school; a school dance so fraught with racial and sexual tension that her daughter asks later: "I was so embarrassed . . . Why didn't they just tell me not to come?" In places she addresses her audience directly: "But I can only tell you that they are human as are your own children." Of the night she watches Vivian Malone walk past Governor Wallace and enter the University of Alabama under armed guard, she writes, "I cannot help but believe that somewhere, perhaps in the South, a white mother, simply because she was a mother, also watched with tears and pride and fear."

Rutland returns frequently to the theme of social class: her father was a pharmacist and though she insists they were poor, she admits "we were so much better off than many of our Negro neighbors." All her mother's relatives had graduated from college, and her mother consistently had hired help. As a child her world existed "across town," where friends and members of her extended family lived among the black bourgeoisie of Atlanta. Of her friends, she says "All had cars--comparatively rare in my day--many had fine houses, some had maids, and most attended private schools." Returning as an adult to these neighborhoods, she writes:

Visiting Atlanta, I would go from one spacious home to another--luncheon and bridge during the day, parties at night. Or we would visit Lincoln Country Club--the Negroes' private club with its own little golf course. Or we would take the children to visit our alma maters and the other surrounding Negro universities, stroll on the beautiful campuses, listen to a lecture, attend a University Players production, walk through the library. How I wished my children could grow up there, go to school there. How beautiful it seemed--Atlanta with its ermine-trimmed, diamond-studded, velvety cloak of segregation.
Though one may read the above sentence as tinged with irony, Rutland was a proud woman: proud of her race and class; proud of her family, especially her compassionate and tolerant mother; proud of her children; and proud of the "brave young people" who decided "segregation was wrong anywhere--schools, bus stations, lunch counters--and picketed all over the country"--even when they shut down her beloved five-and-ten cent store.

At the same time, though she denies it, she is touched by shame. She writes that the color of her skin is the mark of the slave ship, the stamp of shame upon her heritage. As she explains,

The shame transmits itself to you, and you lower your head when confronted with the symbols of your past--a bandanaed Aunt Jemima, a black-faced comedian with a Negro dialect, a bare-footed boy with his face sunk in watermelon.

And the shame becomes a burden on your heart, a chip on your shoulder, carried with you into the marketplace, the streets, the schools.
In the next breath, though, she insists that because of her family and her segregated schooling, where she learned Negro history and literature (especially the poetry of Paul Lawrence Dunbar), "I think I escaped the shame altogether, and the chip rests lightly on my shoulder." I'm not so sure. She does have a sense of humor and is able to laugh at herself. But in her urgency to convince her white female readers of the full humanity of Negro mothers and children, pride battles shame. Continually imagining herself through white eyes, she remains shadowed by what "they" think, the double-vision so well described by W.E.B. DuBois in Souls of Black Folk (1903). In the end, pride wins out. Her book closes as she watches the 1963 March on Washington: "But most of all I was proud of the people, black and white, who stood in the sweltering sun, tired and weary, quiet and dignified, saying more eloquently than we ever could, We, the people of the United States."

From the January/February 2008 Issue
"Stepping Out and Moving Forward" by Margo Culley

Ready or not, here comes the picture perfect African-American family
Norman Rockwell never got around to painting. Eva Rutland, with
absolutely no formal child-rearing knowledge, is the ever so
delightful wife, and mother of four children. She makes it
possible for us to sigh and then laugh in WHEN WE WERE COLORED. She
shows how raising four African-American children during the early
years of segregation was accomplished. There were no textbooks or
how-to magazines, and rarely does Rutland seem to be even advised
by her own mother; trial and error is the order of the day.
Recognizing no priorities keeps her sane, if you can call it that.
She is the normal African-American mother who is not afraid to take
advantage of segregated neighborhoods and allow her children to
develop into who they will become. Rutland is the pioneer
of "Mother Knows Best"(tm) or better stated, let the housework wait and
just go with the flow. She is the mother who never made it to the
sit-coms.

In a very charming and witty fashion, Rutland discovers mothering
four different individuals requires patience, delegation,
flexibility, and creativity. Plus adequate amounts of keeping her
children involved in community and church leaves no time for
destructive behavior. Just when her patience runs out, Rutland is
canny enough to pass the torch to Bill, her husband. She is
brilliantly funny enough to know when to retreat into the bathroom
with a magazine and locked door. Readers can follow this mother
through her children's dating years and laugh in spite of themselves
when she suggests how her daughter can remain a lady on her first
date.

You feel the peace emanating from this mother who courageously
selects a house in an all-white neighborhood instinctively trusting
her children will cope. Yes, Rutland is the quintessential mother of
yesteryear and all mothers can learn from reading WHEN WE WERE
COLORED: A Mother's Story. It will leave you enlightened
and inspired, it will make you proud that segregation, racism,
discrimination, riots, and prejudice did not weaken this strong
mother, or inhibit how her children turned out.

Rutland's memoir earned several awards and the only thing left to do, is come up with even more awards for this wonderful story.

Reviewed by Swaggie Coleman
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Eva Rutland takes us back to a time of penny candy, 5and 10 -cent stores, and racism. In times when the world seemed much gentler, some Americans could not simply sit down to eat at restaurants unless it was marked Colored, and could not go to the school of their choice. Ms Rutland struggled to rear her children without the emotional scars that sometimes came with dealing with racism.


Eva had an open door policy. All were welcome at her door; no one was discriminated against. Eva was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the house that her grandfather, a freed slave, built himself. That community had not segregated itself. Although Atlanta was segregated, where Eva lived, everyone knew each other and Eva knew how to find common ground with her neighbors no matter what race they were.

Bill Rutland, Eva's husband, was a trailblazer. He joined the Air Force at the time that it was first desegregated. Not wanting to be separated from his family, he packed them up and moved them to California. Bill met discrimination when he went out in advance to find a home for his family. Some neighborhoods were integrated but Bill had a hard time finding them or a realtor that would help him. Whenever Bill found a house that he wanted, he would have trouble procuring a loan to purchase it. He found a run-down house in a neighborhood that Whites had began to desert because of integration. When the family wanted to move to better surroundings they had to get one of Bill's co-workers to buy it for them, much to the outrage of the seller.

Eva combated racism by becoming a den mother, joining the PTA and every other group that she could find; so that she could help her kids understand that not everyone was a racist. Eva found that every mother has the same fears for their children so she reached out to all mothers and not just members of her own race. Instead of looking for adversity, Eva always looked for the common ground. Eva was a tireless worker who was so busy insuring that her children's mental health did not get ruined that she often did not have time for herself.



I loved this story! Rutland wrote strictly from a mother's point-of-view and did not let bitterness enter into the equation. I read this book and cheered for her She bared her heart to her readers and wrote with honesty stating flaws and all. Every man, woman and child, especially the younger generation, could benefit from reading this book. This book is not about color but about a mother trying to do what is best for her children, in a world determined to keep them as second-class citizens. Every race would gain something by reading this story.

Margaret Ball

APOOO BookClub- .

"Eva Rutland has done all of us a grand favor - [to] tell the powerful and poignant story of the courage and love of a black mother in a society that devalues black children."
-- Cornel West, author, "Race Matters," Professor of Religion, Princeton University

"Eva Rutland's chronicle of child rearing during the transition from segregation to civil rights is warm, poignant, and funny. It is also a powerful object lesson in how and why women - as mommas and grandmothers -have long anchored the soul of Black America."
---Willie L. Brown, Jr., former Mayor of San Francisco and former Speaker of the California State Assembly

"Rutland brings the reader back to a time and place in this country when there weren't protected civil right, when she couldn't swin in the local pools, when a visit from a neighboring white girl who wanted to use their phone prompted a dangerous visit from the police..."
---Martha Mendoza, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, Associated Press

"'When We Were Colored' has an amusing 'Moma Knows Best' sensibility. The book also gives the reader a serious look at the West's black middle class - usually invisible in American storytelling."
---Janet Clayton, assistant Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times

"Eva Rutland's evocation of race, place, and time has near perfect poignancy and verisimilitude. With a wonderful blend of intemacy and sociology, 'When We Were Colored' recaptures the wisdom, resiliency, and love of a family overcoming a world once oppressively divided into black and white."
---David Levering Lewis, Professor of History, New York University, and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography

Book review of "When We Were Colored: A mother's Story" by Eva Rutland, 2007, IWP Book Publishers, ISBN 13: 978-1-934178-00-3, 152 pp.

Book reviewer: Joe Fabel, American Authors Association Review Board

Eva Rutland is a most unique individual who has shared with the reader the wisdom of her life as an individual, a wife and a mother. She is unique because she values the virtues which lie within. Exterior behavior norms are not what she is about for her family. Yes, she teaches her children how to live with others; yet she goes beyond to emphasize the true value of living a life of commitment to excellence. She instills within her children, whenever they will sit still and pay attention, the virtues of living and choosing to perfect themselves as full human beings.

There is reference to her upbringing in the South, a time of sheltering within the black community as defined by white segregation mores. She states that it was a time of comfort in the sense that she and her folks understood the boundaries established, knowing what the segregating Southern whites demanded. There was never a question of what one could or couldn't do.

The quiet segregation experienced among people in the West, the quiet yet definite
"lines marked in the sands" is a daily occurrence. Eva Rutland emphasizes that each of her family must achieve academically, socially and personally according to their abilities and gifts. There must be no question of squandering what the good Lord has allotted each of us.

This is a story by an insightful and sharing mother. The book should be on all reading lists of all levels of the schools, available for the parents of all the students. It contains
messages by which each individual must live his or her life, be you a child, a parent,
a neighbor or simply a citizen. Eva's message is a golden rule to live by.

In this collection of essays and articles, John Shelton Reed tackles the zeitgeist of the South. He goes about it with an academician's skill that enables enlightened humor and sound argument while avoiding cheesy, low-grade cliche.

Reed emphasizes the importance of cultural/regional distinction. He acknowledges that the South, like any other region, has its problems; however, when it comes to culture, it rules the world. In a country becoming more and more like the James McMurtry song "I'm Not From Here, I Just Live Here," this distinctiveness is more important than most people think; therefore, Reed takes great pride in it.

If you live in the South, Reed will articulate things you've always felt and will give you an appreciation for what makes your homeland unique. If you're from somewhere else, perhaps you'll gain a new understanding of what makes Southerners tick. But whoever you are, I think you'll like this book and I highly recommend it.

This book cannot be recommended too highly to anyone with the slightest interest in the South. It is, in every sense, a delight to read and will easily withstand repeated readings.

This is the third of John Shelton Reed's books that I have read and its style sits somewhere between that of "1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South" and "My Tears Spoiled My Aim". The book comprises a collection of dispatches culled from Reed's contributions to newspapers, journals and magazines between 1979-1990. Most of these are 1,000-1,500 words long. The book begins with observations on two of his favorite themes, Southern identity and the New South, before moving on to Southern culture, food, politics and religion. Reed is a favorably prejudiced but acute observer of Southern manners, quirks, oddities and behaviour.

The dispatches are written to entertain and don't disappoint. I found plenty at which to laugh out loud. However, this is not to say that Reed is not surreptitiously engaged in a secret mission to raise his readers' awareness of the character and virtues of things Southern. There's plenty enough here even to make a Yankee laugh - especially some of his more elliptical humor. I particularly liked his comment on Ted Kennedy: "For my part, I rather like the fellow. He's certainly the closest thing to a good old boy that Massachussetts will ever produce - which isn't to say that he ought to be president, merely that I think he'd make a pretty good drinking buddy as long as somebody else did the driving."

Reed is exceptionally good at capturing the spirit or the essence of something and making it seem familiar to you. I have never visited Bob Jones University but, in just over three pages, Reed made me feel I knew what kind of place it was. He does the same for a number of Southern characters and institutions.

Reed is a gifted cultural interpreter who appraches his topics with respect, affection and good humor. It's tempting to say that Reed is a popularizer but that belies his considerable writing talents. Whilst everything is written in an engaging style, Reed makes few concessions to his readership - he delights in his use of language and deploys an extensive vocabularly that would make some of my students reach for their dictionaries.

All in all this book is an unqualified delight. Go buy it now - you won't be disappointed.

Mr. Reed sure can write. I don't always agree with him; to turn around what he says about Steve Earle, Reed's politics are suspect. And more importantly how can he believe that Randy Travis is better than Earle and Dwight Yoakam? Still even when I didn't agree with the book I enjoyed reading it. The essays on country music and Ted Kennedy are worth the price of the book by themselves. Best of all it's wonderful to see someone defending my home region who isn't a confederate flag waving idiot.

I've long been a fan of John Shelton Reed's "Letter from the Lower Right" in Chronicles magazine, and gave very high marks to "1,001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South," which he wrote with his wife. But for some reason, I had never made an effort to track down and read any of the collections of his essays. I see now what a mistake that was. I wish I'd read this back when it was new.

It was some consolation to find that the articles and essays here assembled were definitely worth the wait. Reed is a very funny writer, but he's not a "humorist" or humor writer in the sense of, say, Dave Barry or even (to move outside the region) P.J. O'Rourke. You'll definitely get a laugh out of many of these pieces, but you'll also find them deeply informative. Reed is, after all, a serious researcher and thinker, and the two indisputable facts that define his writing -- that he loves the South, and he *knows* the South -- feed off one another.

Granted, many of the essays here are more than a little dated (some date back to the Carter Administration), and I'd love to know how things have changed in the thirteen, fifteen, or almost twenty-five years since some of them were written. But that's no doubt just one more reason to track down Reed's more recent collections.

Southerners, including expatriates, will nod knowingly at much of what Reed says, and will get a kick out of seeing themselves depicted so accurately in print. I hope they'll also take to heart his commitment to preserving many of the things -- from culture to accent -- that make the South truly distinctive. Folks from other parts of the country will find that Reed has not only made that sometimes-puzzling region a little easier to understand, but has made the trip a remarkably pleasant one.

When I took Sociology of the South under Dr. Reed at the University of North Carolina, he immediately won the respect of everyone who heard him speak, by virtue of the mix of humor and humble generosity with which he offered up quite a prodigious wealth of knowledge, and because of his graceful personal style. These qualities are evident in his writing.

Now that I live in gritty Gotham, and am faced daily with a culture amazingly alien to the one in which I was raised below the Mason-Dixon, I think every day of the issues he explored in his class (and in his books). He has done depthy and earnest sociological study of issues which plague the minds of Southerners and people who know them: Why Are Country Lyrics So Sad? Why Are Cheating Husbands More Likely To Get Shot Down South? What Exactly Is A 'Southerner,' and Why Won't They Shut Up About That Old War? (and) What, Exactly, Is The Big Deal With Kudzu? I highly recommend this book, as well as My Tears Spoiled My Aim.

In spite of all of the drama this young woman went through, she accomplished her dreams. I loved this book - especially what she said about life being like a puzzle and how we need to just take all of the pieces as they come and we will see the complete picture over time. Her life was full of heartbreak and struggle, but it appears to me that the seeds of wisdom planted by her grandmother caused her to pick herself up and brush off and get going no matter what. I could hear the love for her daughther and even for her husband. I loved her honesty about every aspect of her life including her naive perspective in her early college days. The psychologist in me couldn't help wonder why she was not as honest about her contribution to the strain in her marriage at the very end, but I do like the way she told her story overall. I would highly recommend this book after reading her first book, of course.

Words can't express how this book made me feel! For her to recount the horror and pain she underwent in Little Rock, was so touching. Her actual experience was personally felt. Ms. Beals has an extraordinary way of expressing herself. She brought out so many emotions in me. I would love to be able to personally write to her - she has truly brought me to a new level of strength. Reading her book has taught me that keeping your faith in God will ultimately show you that all the blessings he has given you should not be taken for granted.

Melba Pattillo Beals' journey through a time of prejudice shows a woman's courage. After trying, to integrate into an all white high school and being harassed by the K.K.K. Melba Beals is relocated by the NAACP. She starts her new life in California, a much different environment than the one she left behind in Arkansas. Melba hits a turning point in her life as she forgets about her studies and things to try to fit in. This non-fictional story drives your emotions as it talks of how cruel our world can be. It also showed how it only takes one person to make a difference. This truly inspirational piece will leave you screaming for justice.

If you are at a crossroad in your life or you want to reach a deeper awareness about life then this book is for you. In its easy to read language, Melba Beals recounts her life story using sections from her diary that began as a youth and she continued until adulthood. This book is romantic, comical, inspirational, and riveting. I thoroughly enjoyed walking in Melba's "moccasins" as she recounts the extraordinary events that have shaped her into a terrific human being. I loved reading the book! Thanks Melba, you've done it again!

"We were concerned about much more than breathing- we were trying to save our lives- racing from room to room, slamming our windows shut and locking them as fast as we could." Melba Patillo Beals writes the story of her life, and what she had to go through everyday, as a result of her being one of the strong teenagers that integrated Central high in the year 1957. This book, the sequal to Warriors Dont Cry, makes you feel the pain, suffering, and hurt that Melba experienced living as a young african american in Little Rock Arkansa. The book was not all about the tough times she had, but also about the good times that her and her family shared, the things she accomlpished, and how she got to where she is know. In the book, Melba is living with her young brother Conrad, her grandma India, and her mother Loise, where she is trying to graduate high school, and then hopefully leave her small town of Arkansa. The book is very touching and I got emotional reading it, as i did when i read her first book. A quote that made me want to keep reading was in the beggining of the book, when she writes in her diary"Oh, god, please help me find my way. I don't want to disappoint anyone. Don't I deserve to have a senior year? Can't we have intergration but not have me participate? This is such a big problem, only you can figure it out. Thy will be done. Please give me courage." This passage showed her courage, and i wanted to keep on reading to see what she would do.Melba travels to San francisco were she meets with the Santa Rosa NAACP, and realizes that the hatred that she once thought all the whites had, was not true, and that she would begin a new life. She dealt with growing up with a white family, getting married, having children, and having her husband leave her. Overall this was a good book, and i enjoyed it. If it could have been different i wish it would have been a bit shorter, and more descriptive about her life as an adult.I recoment this book to others, and suggest it, for a book to read on a rainy day. Enjoy reading it, and check out her other book.

If you are a Bankees/Spankees fan grow-up...When your knicks win something maybe you can write a book, or if the giants win, Jets...Mets....After almost a trillion dollars in the last 5 yrs and no WS rings and the greatest choke ever you should keep reading your Michael Crichton books and keep comments to yourself....By the way Bellhorn looks good with no facial here....crack me up no facial hair but sterioids, drugs, wife beaters, criminals (Howe, Giambi, Strawberry, Scheffield, Gooden) are okay..No facial hair though....You know why all the trees in N.E. point south because NY @#$%^&

I waited to buy this book until after the price was at what i thought was an acceptable level: it took until a year and a half after the Series to get there before i jumped. wish i hadn't waited so long.

a terrific read for all real red sox fans, especially those who know there never was a curse (thanks media) except possibly the curse of tom yawkey/bad (racist and inept) ownership.

my dad passed away in april of 2003 of lung cancer. one of the last things i said to him was "are you looking forward to opening day for the sox?", which was just a few days off as he lay wasting away in a manchester hospital bed. his eyes brightened and he said something like "of course!!!!". he lived and died with the boston teams his whole life: the russell celtics (he was one of the few fans who actually would attend games at the garden in that era: attendence sucked during russell's reign), the pats, in all their ineptitude, the bruins, who were always quality entertainment (he disliked sinden just like all true bostonians 'cuz sinden TRADED BOBBY ORR)..(the b's were the best bang for your sports buck in beantown for the 70s and 80's), and of course the red sox. he was there in '75 for games 6 and 7...he was there in 78...i believe he made it to one of the 86 ws games. he was there A LOT and deserved to see it unfold in 2004. well, at least i can take solace that he didn't see 2003: that's something, i suppose.

And it's well worth the money. As a lurker (someone who hasn't been approved as a member) of SoSH, I followed the postings on a daily basis, from its inception, to the the last entry. A poignant reminder of how red the Sox Nation bleeds.

Moochie is having a good cry right now because the highest paid team in baseball (Yankees) was sent home without a championship win by the Angels for the 2ND TIME in 5 years. Cry me a river.

Wildcard or not, the RedSox tied the Yankees for season wins/loses and won 2/3 games in the final season series against the Yankees. Fact is, the Red Sox were in 1st place through most of the 2005 season. Where were the Yankees up until September?

"Win It For" begins about baseball, but it ends up being much, much more. The many vignettes contained in this book create touching pictures of various people with various stories who all happen to share the love of one team. At times humorous, at times touching to the point of tears, "Win It For" kept me reading - despite the fact that its short-essay format makes it the ideal coffee table book to pick up and put down at will.

I highly recommend "Win It For." I'm a lifelong Red Sox fan who can identify with the passion all the book's contributors have, but I'm also a person who can identify with the various stories that people told.

My mom and I had the pleasure of meeting Willie Tee at his book signing in Chesterfield, VA. His description of the book intrigued us, especially the mention of tobacco fields and farming...something my parents can definitely relate to.
I read "The Winds of Destiny" while on a much needed vacation last week. It was very interesting and heart warming. The author does a great job introducing readers to his family members from the past and the present. I still think about the author's comical and touching stories and his positive messages throughout the book. I was also very impressed with his strong family values.
Thanks for such an interesting and uplifting read.

A moving saga!

I did not know what to expect but was moved by this somewhat moody saga. This story of a Southern family with its' unforgettable members: Uncle Leon, Granny, Aunt Shirley, Pa Daddy. The family secrets are definitely Southern style; they haunt the family for generations. The book is well written. I want to read more by this author. REVIEWED BY: Jo D Wright, In the Company of my Sistahs BRC.

I found this book to be extremely well written and captivating. I can suggest this book to a new reader without regret. You won't be able to put this book down. The story leads you through the author's families life and teaches heartfelft leassons as well and brining deep thoughts of how families can endure and stay whole. I am looking forward to Willie Tee's next book, and I believe you will feel the same way after reading The Winds of Destiny. Congrats to Mr. Willie Tee for creating such a great read!

I have heard many stories over the years about how the belief in the Supernatural is second nature to most southern African Americans. Reading this book made me question my belief in the existence of the Supernatural.

The Winds of Destiny written by noted author Willie Tee is a thought provoking and engaging book based on past true-life events in the author's family. The story setting is on a farm in North Carolina near Wilmington in the 1950s. Uncle Leon, the author's favorite uncle, was reared on this farm. The story opens during the tragic death of Uncle Leon in a trucking accident. There is a deep dark family secret that if revealed could affect the entire family. Coupled with beliefs in voodoo and witchcraft this novel takes suspense to a new level.

Uncle Leon was a man who loved life and encouraged everyone around him to live life to the fullest. Pa Daddy and Granny were Leon's parents. Granny was a strong black woman who helped to hold her family together. Pa Daddy was a strict and rigid man who believed that everyone should work.

Tee's true family story is one of great suspense. The scenes where voodoo was practiced were so descriptive. I cried and laughed while reading this book. I loved Granny for her strength and wisdom. Uncle Leon was my favorite character. This is one story you will always remember. Mr. Tee, I cannot wait to read the sequel.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading true-life stories filled with suspense. Also visit the author's website for further information on this book and the sequel.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

Mr. Willie Tee certainly knows how to weave a story. I was literally drawn inside this book through every phase of the story. I visually saw the uncle's truck go over the hillside and I cried as I imagined his fate and that of the driver of the truck. I sat at the funeral and grieved right along with the author and his family, and I feel that I have truly met his entire family. Granny (another character in the book) was absolutely delightful and I admired her strength and wisdom. There is a secret that the author shares about his family, but you must read the book to find out. When I finished this book, the characters literally haunted me for days. Thank you so much for writing this book Mr. Tee, and sharing it with the public.

This book is the best kept secret regarding Dr. Howard Thurman, a little known household name. If you ever wondered who inspired great leaders such as Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and the list goes on...read With Head and Heart. It is truly a story worth reading; one of sacrifice, perseverance, and success.

In becoming better acquainted, through reading, with a man some of my friends have encouraged me to become familiar with, I have found an incredible gift in the form of Hward Thurman, whose message is not only inspiring, but timely, interfaith, intercultural and, most of all one, thatif taken to heart and put into practice, could change the world. I often wonder why such messages are read, spoken from various platforms and then passed over and and remembered only as inspirational words as we forge ahead in the world doing things the same way over and over again.

I recommend the message in this book to everyone who will care enough to not only learn about an incredible human being who was with us for a while, left us with a vision, and challenged us to see things in a new light. I invite us to see the wisdom he shared and put it into action.

It is an autobiography and so we must accept it as written, staying free f rom judgement as to style, etc. It is a man's heart, gifted to those who will read and those whom he has influenced and those who could gain so much from sharing in the vision.

I recently returned to Thurman's autobiography after 15 years. I am developing a course in Composition/African-American Literature. Thurman's words will be the springboard. His prose is elegant and concise; his sensitivity to nature, a poetic model; his expansive spirit, inspirational. Many chapters will serve as exercises for writing; e.g.: his instruction for the preparation of sermons. In fine, his response to life is a guidline for good writing and holy living.

Thurman stands on his own as a giant. The only weakness of the book is that often the compilers feel the need to tell us what Thurman is going to say.

Not sure so much from Disciplines of the Spirit needed to be reprinted.

I read much of the book during a 12 hour Prayer Vigil and found it very enriching and satisfying.

Howard Thurman's autobiography is a defining, powerful collection of one man's life-stories that inspire family, schools, churches, nations and gives timely revelations into the transforming power of God's grace that spans the many gulfs that we call racial, economic, religious, political lines. This is a must read text.

Cassandra Sturges is an African-American high school dropout who completed her G.ED., earned two masters and a doctoral degree, and became a counseling psychologist and founder of New Beginnings Social Development Program offering counseling services for families in the foster care system. A Woman's Soul On Paper is more than just Cassandra's personal memoir; it is also a testament to strength, independence, and spiritual faith. The gifted, earnest style of the narrative completely draws the reader into Cassandra's adolescence and personal travails. A Woman's Soul On Paper is a very highly recommended, deeply personal glimpse into the conflicts, choices, and struggles involved in understanding and learning to celebrate contemporary African-American female identity.

I read "A Woman's Soul on Paper",By Cassandra George-Sturges and I was deeply moved. I laughed, I cried and most of all I related!! This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life and some of the things I tried to tuck away in my memory. It brought back memories of when I was 15, 20, even 30 years old. It reminded me that I am beautiful and that I am human and I am o.k. Reading this book will help women...men... people understand that they are not alone. "A Woman's Soul on Paper" is about truth and self discovery. I dare others pick up a copy and enjoy. You won't want to put it down. It is a must read and a must talk-about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and my spirit was lifted when I finished it. I highly recommend this book.

I found "A WOMEN'S SOUL ON PAPER" To be rivoting and thought provoking. Ms.George-Sturgis is a very talented writer who is well on her way to becoming a member of an "elite" group of author's not only within the African-American community, but world wide. I look ever so forward to her future works, and offer her my congratulations on this well written perspective of women of color. Each word I read reminds and makes me proud to be a member of a strong and distinguished people.

A Woman's Soul On Paper is a soulful and thought provoking book which is written in a narrative voice by the author, Cassandra George Sturges. It's a story about a journey from self-help through self-discovery based on Sturges personal memoirs. The journey begins with the illustration on the book cover. A woman is writing in her diary and she is in deep thought as noted by her reflection in a mirror. This illustration is what inspired me to start reading the book.

Sturges bares her soul on paper in a quiet and spiritually uplifted voice. Her stories are indeed a testament of strength and spirituality. Although she writes about the most intimate details of her journey you know that she is sending you a heart felt message. Sturges is truly a gifted writer.

This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life. I was able to relate to most of her stories. I cried and laughed while reading this book. I highly recommend this book to all women. You won't want to put it down.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

I read "A Woman's Soul on Paper",By Cassandra George-Sturges and I was deeply moved. I laughed, I cried and most of all I related!! This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life and some of the things I tried to tuck away in my memory. It brought back memories of when I was 15, 20, even 30 years old. It reminded me that I am beautiful and that I am human and I am o.k. Reading this book will help women...men... people understand that they are not alone. "A Woman's Soul on Paper" is about truth and self discovery. I dare others pick up a copy and enjoy. You won't want to put it down. It is a must read and a must talk-about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and my spirit was lifted when I finished it. I highly recommend this book.

Bianca, Detroit, Michigan

Wild, witty, inspirational look at the global village. The boys who share a pair of shoes, the beautiful men with their umbrellas, baskets as rain hats,Things balanced on heads. Everyday looks so extraordinary!

I debated about buying this book as I couldn't think WHY I wanted it, but am delighted that I did. I like it so much that I bought a second copy to give a friend. Unlike other reviewers, I'm far less clear about why I like it and what I like about it, but I do know that it is a pleasure to look through it. Who would like this book? I am hesitant to guess. If you like outsider art, unique design, clothes that are unusual, to imagine and use your creative brain, then I suspect you'll find it a fun and inspiring book. If you are conservative in your mind and heart, you'll be bewildered by it. Or, maybe you'll get the jolt you need to see more in the world than you thought was there.

While he was alive Tibor Kalman spent his design career showing that one could find "high art" in the everyday world. (un) Fashion is a wonderful tribute to the life of Mr. Kalman (it can be assume that the driving force behind the book is Maira who is a very talented artist in her own right).

The book has several catwalks of a wide range of people from every corner the planet. Each chapter features a traditional or (un)traditional fashion theme like body art, accessories, tribes, dressed to kill and (un)mentionables. Sometimes a featured photo can make a political statement while others show a slight touch of humor, making for entertaining page turning.

While this book isn't your typical "oversized coffee table" the production and presentation show a respect for quality. Unlike your average overpriced collection of pretty pictures this book will make you think, which is rather novel for a book of so few words. (un)Fashion is the sort of book which you will want to share with friends and family and would be a great conversation starter for any social gathering.

This book is incredible. It's like being a child again and walking around the world and seeing 500 different people, with 500 different cultures and ways of expressing ideas. It's like having the eyes of a 5 year old and asking the question over and over..."What? and Why?" This book is playful discovery. Just imagine opening a book with no introduction, no words...only photos of people around the world - what they wear, what they're doing and how they do it. But like a child you have no idea, no clues or anything. These photos begin to speak for themselves. You don't have the advantage (or disadvantage) of having a writer attach prejudices or judgements to these photos - you are left to explore your own words, prejudices and thoughts. You not only learn things about people...but you learn a lot about yourself and your pre-conceptions about other folks.

For those of you who are Tibor fans...Maira has a very touching write up about her late husband and why he initiated this book.

Are there some days when you want a book in your hand but you don't feel like reading? Here's a great book to have around for just such an occasion, "(un)fashion" by Tibor + Maira Kalman. Wow, wow and wow! There's nothing around (to my knowledge) like this little jewel, 9" x 6", I'm not sure how many pages,they aren't numbered,of nothing but
photographs, no text (there is an index to each photo in the back of the book). Not to say that there aren't thousands and thousands of books of photography out there but this one is just different. It is the most spectacular look at how men and women (and a wonderful leaping dog in a gas mask and green plastic coat) from all over the planet choose to adorn themselves both in and out of the social norm. There are images of every kind of painted, pierced, tattooed, masked, beaded, wrapped,unwrapped, turbaned, swathed and nearly naked human being from every corner of the planet. And some really great ideas for tin cans if you are on a tight budget. What a joy and revelation to flip through this book at a leisurely pace marvelling at what can be achieved by imagination and necessity. This book should be seen by anyone who designs, manufactures or wears clothing. It's also useful for those days when you need to wear something special but can't decide quite what. It will give you all the courage you need to go out into the world looking like..........well.... your own special self. Highly recommended.

Finding this book at a book sale, 24 Reasons explains why African-Americans suffer in their own country. The author points out that the fault pretty much lies within us. Despite our brutal and glorious history in America, we have yet to unify because we are locked mentally and physically and unless we make some changes, we will continue this cycle which has affected our families, our communities, ourselves. However, the subject of homosexuality and interracial relationships sparked me. If the brother or sister is gay, let him/her be gay. I would rather they not be in the closet. Self-expression is important and that is one of many reasons why we remain in the box. As for interracial relationships, I feel that if the person is going to be involved with someone of a different background, he/she should know about himself before before getting involved with that person outside of his race. However, not all interracial relationships aren't about love. They are more about gaining status, self-loathing, and media misconceptions about one another. But this book does give in-depth as to how we need to rebuild our families, our communities, and ourselves.

An amazing an sensitive yet realistic approach to changing the direction that african america is on. The thoughts and concepts are so realistic and thought provoking that many of the readers of this book will actually place some of these teachings into practice.

The book presents the problems and addresses reasonable strategies to overcome many of them. Very Provocative and soul searching. Great information for young people, old people snd people in general.

The book gives great insight on how to improve self---coming one step closer to having unity. The chapter on spirituality having to do with Spiritual leaders is very powerful. All of the 24 Reasons can be applied to life---RIGHT NOW! The book IS a must read!

I thought this was a great book.I have often wondered why africans americans have not done better.this book gives me a greater understanding.

I picked up a copy of this book at the 2007 Hawai'i Conservation Conference, where author David Helvarg was a keynote speaker. Helvarg is president of the Blue Frontier Campaign, an ocean advocacy group.

50 Ways to Save the Ocean is a book with a mission. That mission is to convince the reader that:

1. The oceans are in trouble and need your help.

2. There are things each person can do to assist in the conservation of our oceanic resources, even if you live in Kansas.

Most of the ideas are good, and I appreciate that Helvarg went beyond the "donate money to..." strategies that most Americans get in their weekly mail solicitations (although he encourages you to donate money to a variety of causes and organizations). He promotes activism: volunteering, writing, and lobbying. He notes the power of consumerism in affecting how the ocean's resources are exploited ("follow the money").

I found that I do about 3/4 of the actions he recommends. The question is, how does this information get into the hands of those who are not already involved in ocean protection issues?

This is an excellent book to help teach your family about caring for our oceans! The ideas and illustrations are fantastic to read with kids. Almost all of the suggestions can be accomplished as a family, too. Going to the beach, going on a whale-watching trip, visiting tide pools, eating healthy and sustainable seafood, etc., are all great family activities! This book makes it easy to get your whole family together and interested in saving our oceans. Also really helpful in giving extra meaning to family activities, as everything can be prefaced with an interesting suggestion from this book. It will certainly also improve your kids' self-esteem, knowing they are helping the environment. On top of that, it is a great read!

If you saw An Inconvenient Truth and are wondering what you and your family can do about global warming, take a look at 50 Ways to Save the Ocean. It will help you through the thicket with lots of practical and yes, simple, ways each of us can participate in saving our planet.

Fifty Ways To Save The Ocean by environmental activist David Helvarg (founder of Blue Frontier) is an informed introduction to the innovative ways anyone can use to help preserve Earth's oceans and aquatic-life. Expertly guiding readers through diverse ways to effectively contribute to bettering the condition the great oceans, Fifty Ways To Save The Ocean provides a keen understanding of which fish should not be eaten and which species are endangered or could impact adversely human health; how to save energy and how that might help out the seas; proper diving, surfing, and tide pool equipment; support for local marine education; and keeping an ocean-friendly aquarium. Fifty Ways To Save The Ocean is enthusiastically recommended reading, especially for environmentalists hoping to do their part in contributing to the best health of Mother Earth's oceanic environments.

This book is truly an excellent resource for those of us that are concerned about the well-being of our environment but feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the world's enviromental issues. Here is a book that gives us all really practical, realistic, and fantastic ways to help save our oceans! I absolutely loved this book, and had so much fun doing many of the suggestions (especially going to an aquarium, eating organic foods, going surfing with my kids, and maintaining an ocean-friendly driveway). All of the suggestions are not only informative but also very easy to do and fun!