Black Books

This was ordered for a friend. I finally let her know I was reading and looking through it before she would receive it. It is just beautiful. These are remarkable women we could all look up to. The photographs are wonderful.

I was fortunate enough to see this art exhibit in a museum and bought the guide after I saw the exhibit. I used this book often when I taught history to special education students. I bought the newer edition to donate to my college sorority house hoping that some of the current women would be inspired by the stories of some of these women.

I order two books (I Dream a World) and received only one book I am still waiting for the second book to arrive. I have sent several emails to find out where the book is and I have not gotten anywhere. Will you please send me my book.

I am willing to sign for the book when it arrive. If I don't receive my book I will not feel safe odering from you anymore. If don't receive my book in the next to weeks I will be pursuing a refund.

The first book was a christmas gift for my niece and the second one was for me. I like the book that why I place a second order.

I was blessed to recieve this book in 1990 as a gift from a dear friend. Throughout the years this book has been a form of encouragement in my daily life through various things. Once my daughter turned ten we sat down together and read through I DREAM A WORLD, She was captivated. I have now passed this book on to my daughter and she proudly displays it in her room with trophies, clay art, pictures, and souviners.

I was given this book when I was a freshman in architecture college. When I saw Ms Sklarek, I immediately wrote the publisher and got her addres and wrote her a letter. To my surprise she wrote back to me and her later inspired me to continue studying architecture. Now...17 years and three degrees later I came across her name again during a conversation and I decided to contact her again and again, she sent me her business card. Since our architectural firm has a committee that procures speakers, I plan to invite her to my firm to give a presentation on Women in Architecture. So, I said all that to say...not only should we find our mentors, but we should also communicate with them whenever we can.

Great Book by an author who was born into the game and has the unique abilty to show blacks involvement with Wallstreet since day one.

You never know where you're going unless you know where you came from! I just started the book, and I wish my finance professors had incorporated this into the otherwise impeccable curriculum at Clark Atlanta. Very interesting read. Every person on wall street should read it, it's not only black history but AMERICAN history.

I found the information in this book very informative and surprising that black participation in finance went back as far as it did. Stories of black stockbrokers and mutual fund salesmen in the 1950's to the investment bankers of today, records the slow but meaningful progress made on the Street in the last few decades. Hopefully, the progress will continue....

This book was an impulse buy for me, I have always had little interest in Wall Street but my son works in the securities industry so I thought I would read this for some background. I am very glad I did because I did not realize how deep African American history in the financial world is. I enjoyed the stories of people like Philip Jenkins and John Patterson, early pioneers who deserve greater recognition for their contributions. I think that this book is an important contribution of both African American and Wall Street history and does a good job of illuminating aspects about the history of finance that went unrecognized for far too long.

This book fills in the missing pages of Wall Street's History. It documents how African-Americans overcame racism and other barriers to become successful in the financial securities industry. This should be part of every business school's curriculum.

Other than the rather bland "rose colored" burgundy leather cover which I expected to be a deep burgundy with something of a sheen to it, this bible is a pleasure to use. It is heavy but not cumbersome.The point size of the font could be reduced to a 9pt and still be very readable thereby reducing the thickness and therefore the weight by some meaningful measure.

This is my second copy since I sent the first back because of excessive creasing of about 20-25 pages beginning with the psalms.This is apparently a problem at Foundation since others have made the same comments as far back as 2000.

The second bible is much better in that regard with creasing still present but to a lesser degree than the first.

The paper is very nice indeed albeit crease-prone. Nonetheless this is a quality bible which will serve me well. It reads very nicely with the single column being a perfect length for quick reading as well as more meditative reading. The type is consistently dark and sharp. Very easy on the eyes in part due to the larger font but just a tad smaller and it still would be excellent.

I think this will be one of my favorite reading bibles along with the New Jerusalem Bible.

In spite of my negative comments on the creases which I pass on to forewarn people of the possibility, this is a very high quality bible. I recommend it highly since my exchange was better than the first and Amazon's handling of the return was exemplary.

It's a matter of personal preference, but I prefer the Ultrathin edition of the NASB, ISBN: 1581350279. It has two columns in paragraph style, with concordance, cross-references, maps, optional red-letter, optional thumb indexes, optional genuine leather. I just really like compact bibles like the ultra-thin, which is half as thick as the above version.

The ultra-thin version is paragraph style, whereas the above version is verse style. Verse style is lame, with one verse per line. It's harder to read, it puts breaks in the text in artificial positions, it encourages taking verses out of context, and it puts less text on each page. Do yourself a favour, go to the...NASB web site and choose an NASB version that is in paragraph style. It's time Lockman stopped making these lame verse style bibles.

I'm generally an N.I.V. fan but several friends have an N.A.S.B. One had this particular version with Wide Margin, Large Print, Side column reference. I purchased one. It is Just Great! Lots of room for notes, excellent cross-references, Print is MY SIZE! (I'm over fifty) Only two minor negatives: 1= Black & white maps, 2= Paper is lighter/thinner than my regular bible. I love reading with the option of placing notes in this wide margins. It is becoming my favorite Bible.

I love the wide margins, and nice readable print of this bible. The single side column format allows for a more natural flow when reading than a double column format. I love burgundy bibles because it reminds me of the precious blood of Christ which was sacrificed for us. This edition is a bit lighter in color than any burgundy bible I've seen. This is an excelent value for a bible of this quality. I spent a lot of time surfing and comparing prices.
Maps are black and white but very detailed. There are no notes so your only help will be the Holy Spirit. I prefer this method of study initially, and then I resort to scholars notes and study aids. The only bible I've seen better than this one is the same bible in calfskin for about $60 more.

Exceptional quality.

I had an old one (1977 edition) and I was very impressed with that one from the point of view of the side column and the point 11 font.

The updated version gives a much wider margin for note taking which I love to do while updating the language order.

The stitching is of the highest quality (Smythe sewn) and all in all an excellent Bible for study with several cross references.

Peter Sarjeant

Everyone who lives where ANY wild animals are, not just bears, would benefit from reading this book, and equally important, the animals would benefit from people reading this book. It tells how to coexist and enjoy nature without creating or having to deal with problem animals. When people and animals clash, the animals always lose in the end, so help yourself and them with the good advice in this book.

This book is worth the money and proviodes lots of good tips for avoiding conflicts. It does not contain much information on bear biology, but then again it doesn't present itself as a natural history guide. I would reccommend it to anyone interested in bear-human conflicts.

This is far and away the best book available for a typical person who has a home or cabin in bear country and wants to know how to cope with bears. It doesn't read like a boring textbook--the writing is light and easy. But retired Colorado Division of Wildlife Conservation biologist Tom Beck did the technical editing, so it's accurate. Most books about bears have not been reviewed by a real expert, so they're filled with erroneous information--some of it quite dangerous. You can trust the advice in this book. It's practical without being preachy. If you decide to be a beekeeper in black bear country--yep, bears do like honey--Living With Bears gives you detailed instructions on how to keep bears out with an electric fence. It provides pragmatic advice for any bear situation you're likely to encounter. If you live in bear country and you want to be a good neighbor, this book will help you understand why bears behave the way they do. Outstanding.

This book is full of great stories. It is simply the best resource I have found on living with black bears. As a land manager, I find this book to be invaluable. In fact, this is one of the best books I've yet read. Enjoy!

As a wildlife biologist and someone who has worked with black bears for many years, I believe this book is a wonderful resource for anybody who lives in bear country and for people planning to visit a place where bears exist. Linda Masterson provides the fundamentals of bear behavior so people know what to expect when encountering one of these beautiful animals. She also gives the reader tools to help manage encounters as well as proactive measures to prevent habituation in places where people camp or live with bears. This book is humorous and a pleasure to read.

A thorough analysis of all aspects of the legacy and lives of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The author attempts to dispel the notion that Martin was some saint who single-handedly achieved everything that was achieved in civil rights, and that Malcolm was a dangerous hate-mongering demagogue.

Taking a more even-handed approach, Cone explains how the two leaders were both great in their own way, how they complemented each other and how there were far more similarities between them than were presented by the media. Also the two were very convergent in their views late in their lives. This is an especially useful book for those who dismiss and disdain Malcolm X.

A great achievement, the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that Cone repeats himself quite a bit making the book a bit more bloated than it should have been.

Great book. Insightful writing.

I purchased this book for my American Religious Diversity class and found that it gives you a clear timeline of the Civil Rights Movement and how Martin viewed it as the American dream and how Malcolm viewed it as a nightmare. The book's chapters follow the Civil Rights Movement chronologically by date and discuss Martin's and Malcolm's personal lives, religious obligations, beliefs, priorities, and virtually every other aspect in enough detail to give you a clear picture of the time. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil Rights Movement.

Dr. Cone really points out the differences between Dr King and Malcolm X like no one else. But more importantly he sees so many simalaities. For erxample Malcom X encouraged blacks to go to Christian churches and get involved in social isues. Further, Dr Cone points out that Malcolm X wanted to go to Law School!!.

Also it is interesting that Dr. King refused to debate their respective postions.

Every time I am in Harlem at Lennox Ave and 125th St. I reflect on Dr Cone's masterpiece.

Have all children and adults read this book.

Darrell Pone,MD
Old Westbury, NY

Dr James Cone's MARTIN AND MALCOLM AND AMERICA: A DREAM OR A NIGHTMARE is one of the best books I've encountered.

Cone discusses the rhetorical strategies of Martin Luther King, Jr, and Malcolm X as they applied to their particular audiences: King to the South and Malcolm X to the North. Cone argues that Martin King's strategy of non-violent protest, while effective in the extremely segregated and anti-integrationist South, was not effective in the North (particularly in cities like Chicago and Detroit) because the discourse and policy of "integration" was already superficially accepted by Northeners. The "liberal" North found King's rhetoric to be more or less agreeable even as the structures of discrimination continued to subject black people to a brutal double-standard. Thus Malcolm X's policy of Black Nationalism (separatist rather than integrationist) that allowed for violence epitomized by the slogan "by any means necessary" was more successful in the North because it more effectively confronted personal and systematic racism. Long story short: two different rhetors with different rhetorics because of different situations, different audiences, with different immediate goals. Interestingly, near the close of both men's lives--Malcolm X killed in 1965 and Martin King in 1968--Malcolm began to sound a little more like Martin; and Martin began to speak even more forcefully, not unlike Malcolm had been known to do previously.

I had the great luxury of hearing Dr Cone present a lecture based on the book back in 1992. Twelve years later, my assesment of the book remains constant: Outstanding.

As someone who has been "allergic" to mold my whole life and suffered horribly in any building with mold, this book helps the average person understand the how and why of mold effects on the body. It also gives detailed, specific information on how to detect mold, remediate a home or office and most important how to test people for the effects of mold exposure and what can be done to get healthy. I recommend anyone who has ever had any possible exposure to mold in a school, home or office get this book.

As someone who grew up with horrific mold allergies and had to live with the skin rashes, sinus infections and asthma that accompanied any exposure, I found Mold Illness Made Simple to be a wonderful, funny, enligtening book that helped me understand why mold so affected me and what I could do to be well in the future. Given that mold exists in many unsuspecting places like large stores, schools and even in our homes, I think anyone would benefit from reading this book.

The well laid out information in this book has improved the well being of my family. It is a quick read containing invaluable facts and simple, cost effective solutions such as how to test for mold in the home, as well as the diagnostic codes needed to test for toxins in the body. Mold Illness Made Simple is an ideal resource for a young scholar wishing to learn more about science and the environment. The authors and illustrator are commended for their unique format.

This book saved me from wasting $3,000 on some "special" filter my heater&AC guy wanted to sell me!

A wealth of knowledge on a pervasive problem.

Easy to follow information for adults too busy to read a large academic work. If you thought you knew everything about the air you breathe, think again and get the latest information of common ailments affecting you at work, home, and elsewhere.

I have personally and unknowingly dealt with massive mold exposure at my workplace, leaving me with a multitude of ill-effects. This is a very nice overview that has definitively enlightened me from a comical perspective. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know the facts in a concise format.

I own this book as well and in reading it to my grandaugther it brought memories of when I was young as well as seeing the excitement in her eyes. You have to read this aloud and it was truly a great experience for her. She always want to hear a story. I do believe we have to keep the stories alive in our children, the tones, the simplicity of life....a history.

I first heard of this book when I was in 5th grade (about 10-11 yrs. old)...I'm 28 now. My African-American teacher would read us stories from it. I remember enjoying the stories so much that I bought this book for my son about 2 yrs. ago. My son is almost 3 now & while he can't read yet, I know he will enjoy the stories as much as I have. This book comes with a CD & is narrated by the author & James Earl Jones...the narration was well done. I listened to the CD & I felt as if I had gone back in time. The narrators are so vivid & they really get your attention. The CD is definitely a plus & the book was well written. I really like that the stories have morals & life lessons that we can learn from. I recommend buying this version of the book because it comes with the CD. I also recommend this book for children 9 & up. This book would be a great addition to anyone's book collection. I hope my review is helpful.

I read this book when I was in elementary school and fell in love with it. Virginia Hamilton really captures the essence of West African story telling and transfers that essence into American form. As an educator and historian, the lessons in this book has stayed with me for well over 18 yrs and I suspect the lessons will remain with me forever. I recommend that this book is on the shelves of every African American family.

As a storyteller and folklorist/historian, it saddens me that so few children today know anything about the joys of hearing a good tale from a wise elder. In Black America in particular, generations of children (including my father, thank God) had the wonderful tales of Brer Rabbit, Little 8 John, Raw head & Bloody Bones, Wiley & The Hairy Man, and the People Who Could Fly (title story) told to them as today's children are familiar with Kim Possible and the Proud Family.

I bought this for my beloved niece when she was eight and pretty soon, she began entertaining the children of the neighborhood with these tales just as I did after listening to my dad and I still do during storytelling gigs today.

Virginia Hamilton (RIP) did a masterful work in leaving this beautiful legacy to a generation where it is fast disappearing. She does a good job in interpreting the likes of Wiley the Hairy man, Raw Head and Bloody Bones (the PC crowd occasionally complains about this being too scary for kids as well as Brer Rabbit-let these crybaby fools go ahead with that sickening Barney the Dinosaur and the care bears). The edition that I bought for my neice was before the CD with Miss Hamilton and voicemaster James Earl Jones came out, but I have younger neices and nephews (and hopefully my own children in the future) that I will certainly look out for this for.

Another reason why this collection is in such need is that often, African-American parents (rightfully) complain about the lack of wholesome entertainment for their children in particular. Unfortunately, most parents of today were not exposed to these stories as I was and this often leads to well-intentioned but foolish recent activities such as the NAACP here in Charleston (SC) complaining about the lack of Black Santa Clauses in the local malls. As Miss Hamilton and those of us raised in the folklore tradition know, we have enough good things of our own culture to pass down to children than to worry of the color of Santa Claus.

Buy this, reconnect with your children, and enjoy.

This book is a trifecta:

1. You get to hear the author read her own writing. If you want to hear Virginia Hamilton and James Earl Jones adding their own special lyrical beauty to the reading of these stories, then purchase this version. Considering that Ms. Hamilton died in 2002, this CD is a must have.

I think it is important for children to hear the author reading their own work. So if you can't get to a book reading by the author, this is the next best thing. And you get to hear it over and over again.

2. The illustrations are magical, delicate, and powerful. Every child (but especially black and white) in this nation should hear the stories in this book. Before they know color issues, they should get to know the beauty and dignity of brown skin. To hear the dignity, power, and humanity of their own heritage or that of someone elses, before a world of anger taints them.

3. At the end of each story is a brief history of the story: it's origin, and variations, and other facts that help the story to become more real and personal, especially for a child who wants to know more about their heritage. This will inspire them to ask questions and (if they're older) do research as it cause me to do.

I love the way Keith Brown captures the essence of mother-son relationships in the African American family. It portrays the values that are developed between mothers and sons to produce strong black males. Each story is an example of encouraging motivation and hope for future generations of mother-son relationships.

This wonderful collection of stories to read about the bond between mother's and son's.

This book is so moving. Within the first few pages, I was so captivated by the warm feelings that are shared. This mother to son bond is unexplainable. I immediately told my family and friends that they have to read this book if no other.

This is to the response from Gloria Alibaruho dated 25 December 1999.

I just read your review of the book, Sacred Bond: Black Men and Their Mothers. You said in your review. "All of the mothers are acquainted with life as a journey rather than a destination." I think that is a very profound statement - your focus on "journey" implies a continuous activity as opposed to "destination" which is a fixed point in time. Too often, whether we set the stage or someone else does, we focus on a fixed point in our lives, the time when the journey is completed. We forget to celebrate the activities that brought us to our goal. This celebration serves to strengthen us and provides inspiration for the next day. That is why some goals are never reached - the preparations for the journey are not made and then we loose sight of our destination. Metaphorically, it is like taking a hike in a dense forest and forgetting to bring a map or compass.

I have a notebook of quotations that give me inspiration and I have just included your quotation in the book. Thanks for your words of wisdom.

Sincerely,

Susan Lightfeather lightfeather@exotrope.net

As I read this book, I could see myself in every one of the mothers. I laughed, I cried, and I was blessed to be touched by their experiences. As a mother, it was reassuring to read that I am on the right track. Through their trials and tribulations, the bond strengthened. To the authoris: Thank you for capturing these magnificent stories. To the mothers/sons: Thank you for letting us into your life.

Helen Oxenbury's illustrations make this book so appealing to toddlers and parents alike. The bright colors and playful style really draw you in. The author's use of repetition is also great, which my daughter enjoys. This is a long book and she can easily sit in my lap and focus on the entire story, allowing me to finish reading before she turns the pages. I agree with the other reviewer - the cousin fighting with the baby is kind of a negative aspect of the book, but often I will substitute other words on those pages. This is a must-have addition to any multicultural book collection!

I purchased this book for my 2 year old daughter to replace a paper back one I previously purchased that was destroyed by various infant beverages (hmmm...I wonder who did that).

Anyhoo...the book exceeded my expectations beyond my greatest imagination. My daughter and I already loved the book to pieces, but getting the hard covered one really has made it that much more of a favorite.

This story is a definite must have for any black parent or any parent attempting to raise a race-neutral child. The illustrations are big (which keeps my daughters attention), the story offers the repetition that children respond to (my daughter repeats many of the words with me), and helps parents teach about family members (mentions of cousin, daddy, mommy, aunt, nannie and gran-gran).

Enjoy this one with babies on up through the years.

P.S. Keep it out of reach of the kids if you want to keep it for years because it is sure to be a family favorite!

This book has been a family favorite for over 11 years. I first purchased this book for my son when he was 1 and am now reading it to my 2 year old daughter. My son still recalls the story, beautiful pictures but most of all family members and myself reading it to him time and time again. My daughter is now experiencing the same warm expressions of "family love" and beautiful pictures of an African American family celebrating a birthday but most of all being together. This book has become my daughter's favorite and she picks it up at least 4-5 times a day to be read. I've bought another copy just so she can have her own. My son has told me he wants to be keep his copy of the book so that he will be able to read this wonderful book to his own children.

This book is loved and enjoyed by my students (1st and 2nd grades)each and every year. The rhythm and repeat of Ms. Cooke's words captivate and charm. They are tickled with the antics of the family as they each arrive at the party. We have had great discussions about the choice of play and family differences each member brings to the party. Her message reminds each person listening that they too are loved "so much" by their family.

We have this book at our local child care centre. I love the rhythm of the language and I love the illustrations and my little boy does too. What I don't like is the "pow-pow", "I want to fight the baby" part. It's not an idea that I want to encourage at all - some good natured wrestling can be fun, of course, but it needs a lot of explanation. All of the carers naturally substitute other words to illustrate the story; usually I say that the boys want to tickle the baby. Parents and carers who want to promote a less violent world should be aware of this.

This book proved invaluable for a discerning woman who is tired of the roadblocks to finding true love. Sometimes women in the desperation to fall in love, often fall into a "hole". Then they have to dig their way out of the heartache of dealing with men/women who are not really looking for love, but are always on the make ready and willing to take advantage of that lovelorn person.
Deborrah Cooper tells it like it is!!!
If you want the bare bones truth get this book.

I bought this for my daughter - hoping she would see herself in some of these situations. I don't know if I or she will like it as much as the reviewers did that got me to purchase it. It seems quite logical in it's stories- but I know that young girls and I suppose boys too can become very controlled by someone that likes to manipulate the relationship, and control it. I hope she will read it and at least gain some strength/insite into new relationships.

SUCKA FREE LOVE by Deborrah Cooper, answers everyone's questions about how to avoid dating's most common and hurtful pitfalls. Writing as Ms. HeartBeat, she gives advice to those who have fallen into bad situations. Some of the questions are only two sentences long but she gives detailed answers on what has gone wrong and how to change the situation. Her answers are serious, yet many of them are downright hilarious. Cooper tells a lady whose man won't work to toss him out - her exact words: "kick his broke, no job havin' behind out..." Answers such as this had me rolling on the floor. I found myself wishing I had had this book as a reference when I was in the dating game. It might have saved me much grief.

The book is a collection of letters from those seeking advice and Ms. HeartBeat's answer, sometimes serious, sometimes a blow to the stupidity of the writer's actions and sometimes just funny. It was always upbeat with solutions available. It was surprisingly easy to read and very entertaining. The last chapter was a questionnaire so the reader could find out where they stood on the relationship chart. It's a great book.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZS Reviewers

I'm not the kind of guy who normally reads self-help books, but when a friend asked me to give her my opinion of it I decided to check it out. I'm glad I did.

This book is hilariously funny & entertaining while also being highly instructive in how to avoid or deal with everything from gold diggers to child molesters to stalkers. I often found myself nodding at the responses to the letters, and thinking, "I could have written that!".

Word to the wise...

Don't start reading this book on a work or school night because you won't want to put it down. It's a real page-turner!

I enjoyed reading the experiences and advice given in this book. Ms. Cooper's take no prisoners, real-talk was disarming and, I think effective! So much so that I bought a copy for my college aged, single daughter and she wants to give copies as gifts to her male and female friends. She said she can see some of them in the letters of this book.

It's been a long time since I've seen such pertinent advice given in a way that is sometimes humorous, sometimes gritty, but always on point!

I'd HIGHLY recommend this book! Outstanding read!