Black Books

Anthropologies are a great way to review various books - fiction and non-fiction - in a specific category. "Black Like Us" opened my mind to new authors (such as Richard Bruce Nugent) that I would have never inquired about. I suggest this anthropology to anyone who is wants to know more about LGBT African-American novelist. The best thing is that the book is divided into chronological parts. The introduction to each part - Harlem Renaissance, Contemporary Writers, etc - is a must read. You get a history lesson, excerpts and brief bios of each author and time period. A MUST READ.

Black Like Us is a must have for those who love history and literature--gay, straight, black, white or otherwise. The introductory essays alone are worth the price of admission. B.L.U. is an instant classic.

The popularity of African American same gender loving (SGL) fiction in this new century owes much to the wordsmiths of the previous one hundred years. Twentieth century black lesbian, gay and bisexual authors of fiction began writing in codes as complex as underground railroad communiqué, stepped tepidly out of the closet during the Harlem Renaissance, sought Eurohomocentric inclusion as late as the early 1990's, then burst out in full proud Africentric glory in the last half dozen years prior to the new millennium.

Black Like Us charts this evolution deftly. Although its editors-college professors and editors of works that meditate the writings of Huey P. Newton, Gore Vidal and Bayard Rustin-suggest a work heavy on academics, Black Like Us goes beyond its inferred pedigree.

From the turn-of-the-twentieth century writings of color-conscious Alice Dunbar-Nelson (Paul Lawrence Dunbar's lesbian ex-wife) to the unselfconscious pride and Africentricity of major SGL contemporary celebrities E. Lynn Harris, James Earl Hardy, and Marci Blackman, we are treated to 36 fascinating biographical sketches, each followed by telling writing samples.

Richard Bruce Nugent, the most identifiably gay writer of the Harlem Renaissance, is aptly represented by an excerpt from his hauntingly beautiful "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade" (1925) while Baldwin is wisely showcased by an excerpt from "Another Country" (1962) instead of the obvious "Giovanni's Room."

Langston Hughes' 1963 short story "Blessed Assurance" is a joyful glimpse into the life of a `brilliant queer' church boy while E. Lynn Harris breaks ground and gives voice to contemporary closeted and "questioning" African American gay and bisexual men who strive for self-acceptance in an excerpt from his debut novel "Invisible Life" (1991).

The works and lives of Alice Walker, Countee Cullen, Audre Lorde, Melvin Dixon, Thomas Glave, Jewelle Gomez, and Shay Youngblood, to name a few, are tightly presented in 555 potent pages.

Although a book as ambitious as this should be applauded for its rich historical, cultural and anecdotal detail, the omission of Penny Mickelbury, noted contemporary lesbian author of 8 popular out-of-the-closet crime novels, is glaring and baffling.

Nonetheless the SGL 36 showcased here, their carefully selected literary samples, and their equally as fascinating lives and times, comprise a work both vital and entertaining.

This is a bookshelf requisite for both hetero- and homosexual appreciators of Black Literature and culture in deference or even indifferent to sexual nature. It will gather little dust.

In this world of the politically correct parry, it's good to know that the folks at Cleis Press do not suffer from the "me too" school of publishing. With BLU, readers are taken on an omnibus of writers that expand traditional boundaries of race and sexual preference. And it's about time. If you care about expanding your consciousness and folks who seek to shed light where there was none or little, then get a copy of BLU and get on the bus.

Black Like Us should be on every bookshelf of people of color. I was born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn; my affinity for the Harlem Renaissance period is strong even today. Each chapter is divided from the1900�s � 2000, and they are appropriately named. A small biography is placed before the excerpt and what book it was taken from.

Devon W. Carbado sectioned the book into different time periods.During the Protest Era a quote jumped off the pages at me "To be white male in America and realize your gayness and find out your opressed is a very different thing than being oppressed all your life as a woman of color." In Harlem during the 1920�s we witnessed a cultural firecracker with books like never before. I wonder how many of those books were written from Wallace Thurman's boarding house at 136th Street called the �Niggerati Manor?� There is an American Folk saying; if you want to keep something secret from black folks put it between the covers of a book. Nowadays that is not the case. With titles like Black Like Us and The Greatest Taboo by Delroy Constantine curiosity is winning. Black Like Us makes me feel proud of the many literary giants included in this work, empowering and sending us love.

It is the stories and quotes from this book that will keep Black Like Us as a reference tool on reader's shelves for years to come. Julie Blackwomon offers an excerpt from Voyages Out 2 titled "Symbols," a short story that reflects Julie's own life. She makes a very intriguing statement, "coming out of the closet is more than just a "gay thing" It is my hope that authors like these in Black Like Us help to cease the homophobia in the gay and heterosexual African American community. I thoroughly enjoyed this treasure and how it examines literature.

I have to confess that when it comes to science fiction or fantasy books I am somewhat of a snob about what I will read. When a friend turned me on to these books, I absolutely fell in love with them and hated to put them down to do anything!

They have everything you could want, witches, werewolves, vampires, dragons, all very intricately woven around Poppy Z's family. I know he is rather conceited, but Romo the Immortal was very funny to me as well as the cat! I have done some research and have found out that there are going to be some more books in this series. I can't wait! If you want an excellent read, buy these books. I assure you that you will hear a lot more from these authors. Some day soon the whole country anyone who loves this type of book will know the names Gaither and Canada! --Lynn S. South Carolina

When I first started reading Black Moon, I was blow away. Finally a book that took everything supernatural that this world has to offer and mixed them into one fine read. Meet Poppy Z. A two thousand year old witch making a small community in Arkansas her home. Her life is turned upside down when an Immortal who is slowly losing his power comes to her doorway asking for help. Dark humor, suspense, and horror all weave together to make this book. Very wonderfully written. If you havne't read this yet then shame on you. Shame indeed.

From the first chapter these wonderful new authors suck you into a perfectly balanced world of horror and fantasy. Poppy Z. and her crazy crew take you along on a thrill filled dimension jumping mystery ride that you won't want to end. Vampires, Werewolves, Immortals, Dragons, Witches and a sharp tongued talking cat,... this book has it all and more. S.J. Gaithers and Micheal Canada cleverly combine just the right amount of suspense, action, scares, humor and passion to make this book a truly enjoyable book. They masterfully bring together these many different realms and beings without losing or confusing the reader. I found myself actually laughing out loud at times...holding my breath at others. The characters so real you get completely caught up in their lives and experiences.

I loved this book and can NOT wait to get my hands on the second part of this series... Blood Moon!!

Ok, take a witch who is on the far side of her second century, an immortal who is having a few problems with power loss, a horde of vampires out for blood (pun intended), and a local deputy who needs a serious attitude adjustment. Now throw in a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, dark powers churning for revenge, side-splitting humor, and a loveable but scathingly funny talking cat, and you have yourself a great story.

Canada and Gaither credit Laurell K. Hamilton as one of their influences, and it is easy to see that influence in Black Moon. But don't walk away thinking that this is a copy-cat of Hamilton's creations. Black Moon stands firmly on its own as a fun, engaging, creepy, and action-packed story. The characters are well developed, and I found myself literally laughing out loud over their dialogue and inner thoughts. Midnight the talking cat is a hoot, and the fact that he is a cat who also talks actually works quite well in this story.

I am so impressed with this debut novel that I have recommended Black Moon to numerous people. I have also read this book twice, which is the ultimate compliment coming from someone with hundreds of unread books sitting around the house. The world of Poppy and her friends--and some not quite friends--is amazing and well developed considering the fact that this is only the first in what I hope will be a long series of books. I look forward to the next in the series, Blood Moon, which is now on the shelves (and on my nightstand!). I hope to see much more of Poppy, Romo, Rush, Danny, Raven, Midnight, and Jean-Tou. I wonder what has happened to the young girl who fled into the woods after "meeting" Romo? I also wonder if my favorite character Nicolas might somehow make a future appearance?

This is a first-time novel by new authors that you should not pass up. Black Moon is dark fantasy at its best and has the right mixture of snappy humor as well as chills and thrills.

Immortals and dragons and vampires, Oh my! I whipped through this fast paced new novel by the immensely talented S.J. Gaither and Michael Canada in two days. I literally could not put it down. Thefirst tale of adventures of Poppy Z, a two thousand year old witch who's a magnet for danger. When Romo The Immortal appears unexpectedly at Antique Bookz, her metaphysical store, Poppy knows she's in for a ride. Romo and his reluctant sidekick Caffee are in trouble, having incurred the wrath of an ancient being with powers that rival their own. Halloween Jack and his minions make life a living hell for Poppy, the immortals and her beloved talking white cat Midnight, as time runs short for Romo. This is the introductory novel in the Witching Moon series. Filled with intriguing characters, sidesplitting banter, and plot twists that will keep you spellbound. Don't start this book at night if you plan on getting any sleep.

Suspenseful and sooo true to life...with twists and turns that artfully tell about the aftermath of a long relationship. Dudman knows how to make every word ring true. Black Olives is a literary delight, evoking images that touch the heart and provoke lifey thoughts. As with Dudman's memoirs Augusta, Gone and Expecting to Fly, I read her novel in one sitting. Need I say more? Ah yes...

Full of sadness and humor, Black Olives offers a surprising, generous ending reminding us -- women and men alike -- that we're all only human.

Who knew that those of us in middle age needed a coming-of-age novel? Martha Tod Dudman has given us exactly that. Funny, original and filled with hard-won wisdom and page-turning tension, BLACK OLIVES kept me reading all through the night. With her first novel, Dudman joins the ranks of writers who dare to tell the truth about the madness of love and lust.

Black Olives, I loved it! It is not one of those whiny relationship books, instead it is a novel for anyone who knows how hard it is to go through a break-up. It allows the reader to live through the pain of having your heart broken, while at the same time laughing with Virginia in her analysis of certain situations. The ending is very well done. It is the perfect present when you cannot think of anymore relationship advice to give a friend. I love the size of the book too and felt classy reading in public. This is a great buy. Thank you Martha Dudman, keep writing!

I happened to buy this book in the airport a few weeks ago and finished it in just a few days. I thought the premise that a woman would stow away in her former lover's car was interesting (even if a bit weird). I was certainly curious about what would happen when/if she was discovered. I will leave the ending as a surprise, but what truly surprised me was the amazing truth in the way the author describes the range of emotions you go through when a relationship ends. This was no short romance. It was long, deep, emotional, and complicated. In such a relationship, one is always trying to forgive/fix the flaws of the other person and challenged by their partner to fix their own flaws. I endured a particularly painful breakup many years ago and I believe I've never read another book that so accurately described my range of emotions..disappointment at the loss, confusion about why he didn't want to continue the relationship, rage at not being forgiven for my shortcomings, loneliness, relief in not having to work so hard to try make it work, and curiosity about his new lover. Other reviewers found the main character self-absorbed or zany. I found her human and remembered feeling everything she felt. The ending felt perfect because in the end, it is never about the other person. It's always about you and the things that loving someone teach us about ourselves. I strongly recommend this book.

Love doesn't usually end neatly or on cue. Sometimes people torture themselves over what might have been and obsess over what their former lover's life is like now....

Martha Tod Dudman's BLACK OLIVES: A NOVEL infiltrates the moment-by-moment thoughts of Virginia of Maine, who, nine months after breaking up -- on New Year's -- with David, tells us exactly how she feels when he saunters into "ye phony old grocery store," Rogerson's Emporium, where she is already poking through the aisles: "I feel as if I could cry forever. I could begin crying right here by the olives." Unprepared to simply strut up and say a casual "hello," she panics and hides herself before artlessly and conspicuously fleeing the store.

Outside, she fumes and fusses, not sure whether to escape while he's still occupied inside or stay and speak to him. After all, she was in such shock when he ended it, she didn't get to tell him what she really thought of him, did she? And nine months had only inflated that mountain of saved-up speech. Then, abruptly, her senses run for the hills: she, totally impulsively, sticks her head through the Cherokee's open window to inhale familiar David smells. And then she -- "I don't even know what I'm doing" -- opens the door and stuffs herself into the space behind the driver's seat! She covers herself with the clutter back there. Now he's coming...and she doesn't budge!

Okay then, what do you imagine about Virginia's age? Think maybe she is a twenty-something, thanks to her retro-adolescent behavior? Nope, this Jeep Cherokee stowaway is middle-aged. She and David, both divorced, began their ten-year relationship when Virginia was forty and he about fifty. Yes, even adult adults with their own homes and grown children can pull crazy stunts.

BLACK OLIVES isn't solely focused on the girlish, intrusive actions of a woman still emotionally bruised and aching from the New Year's breakup. To be sure, we follow her every move as she trespasses even more egregiously during this single, bizarre day. But, as she encroaches on her former lover's space, she minutely reviews her years with him. She remembers the blush of early, giddy closeness and then the ways they pulled away from each other.

This is a sure-handed, compulsively involving novel that wryly dissects and understands the human conditions that undermine the crusade of love. Love isn't "happily ever after" very often, and we all know it from personal heartache. Dudman just tells one "love-off-the-rails" story with more brass, more black comedy, more attention to the detritus of relationships and more gritty candor than most of us would or could. Reading BLACK OLIVES can tip us into memories of our own misfires in love, but it can also prod us to work harder to guard what we have when we have it.

4.5 stars.

If you could only own one book of poetry by African-American poets, this should be the one. It is -- on the one hand -- a legitimate scholarly collection of poetry stemming from slaves through the 1960s,and including renowned poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks and Langston Hughes. But, it is also a barebones, emotional journey into the hearts and minds of a people who have faced the most brutal oppression and adversity ever inflicted upon a people in America -- and survived to tell the tale. But anyone looking for single-minded thinking from the black `community' will not find it here. This collection shows the rich diversity of thought, experience, and insight of African-Americans, including those that push an examination of thought among Civil Rights-minded people in the 60s beyond the traditional with such poems as "What is the Color of Lonely?" This is a book one should own. I bought the library binding edition because it was the only hardcover version available at the time, Worth the extra cash for a hardcover book that will last a lifetime!

My father loved me enough to expose me to this book when I was younger. I didn't truly appreciate it until I got older and experienced more in life. This book has a variety of poetry. It is all beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

I first encountered "The Black Poets" as a college student back in the 1970's. It features a wide selection of poems by many well known Black Poets. Many are humorous, such as "I sing of Shine" others romantic, others revolutionary, but all thought provoking. I couldn't find my old copy so I repurchased another recently. This book is definitely worth owning. It will bring you pleasure whenever you pick it up.

I remember reading this book while in middle school. And, I am a 2002 high school graduate. I found this book in the library, and its very impowering - real. The poetry resonates with Mildred D. Taylors, Roll of Thunder poem. I was fascinated by the Run n*****- run master comin get you poem. Its a good book!
Lots of old great African American written poetry.

I am an author and a poet and will state that this is an excellent job by Dudley Randall. The poems in this anthology flow very well. The section on the Harlem Renaissance is very pleasing; know the struggles encountered and the determination of will to succeed, the poets during that era showed strength and courage and are well documented. The book is a history lesson in itself regarding poets of the past and present. There is a distinct contrasting of poets who are classified as folk and literary poets. The additional distinction between pre-renaissance and post-renaissance poets is also made in the book. Overall, the poems from poets in the anthology are outstanding and give a great blending of African-American History.

When someone comes to me with a difficult research line and is stumped, I recommend that they take the time to read Tony's book. It is well-written and serves as an excellent resource for ALL genealogists, Black or otherwise!

Black Roots delivers far beyond the stated expectations. Not only is it a one of a kind comprehensive guide for the new genealogist, but serves as a corrective resource for the more advanced researcher. Unlike traditional guides, Mr.Burroughs'largely first person, experiential accounts are so genuine, that he effortlessly, fervently and even humorously, challenges the reader to explore self, family and the human experience in general. He sets forth thirty-four(34) "traps" that the beginning genealogist should avoid, which is a unique feature to a genealogical guide. Traps are interspersed throughout the chapters and reviewed together in the appendix. One can surmise that some of these traps evolved from Mr. Burroughs' early personal blunders. Although the Book's title addresses African American research, his expert advice transcends culture/ethnicity.

Black Roots borders on over-kill; so, readers who shy away from intensity may not get beyond the first twenty-five pages. Mr. Burroughs states that his book is limited in scope, yet he leaves no stone unturned. His dictate for scientific methodology, discipline and tenacity throughout, may be somewhat intimidating to the faint hearted new researcher who thinks genealogy is "merely a hobby". Although he shares plenty of motivational lifts such as "Have fun and Don't give up", some may not see any amusement in the phrase,"the study of..." On the other hand, it would be difficult not to be trapped by Mr. Burroughs' fire and passion for the study of...genealogy.

Tony Burroughs provides myriad of valuable information that all African-American genealogists need. Beginners and experienced researchers alike can benefit from this informative read.

Tony Burroughs shares an exilirating experience of his journey regarding genealology research and findings. This book will lead you to greater heights! I found the book to be one of the most valuable pieces of information regarding my genealogy research. It lead me to find my family in Washington, Louisiana back to 4 generations. It was the most rewarding project that I ever encountered! What an awesome journey!

This is the best source for black genealogy that I have read. It was an easy read and hard to put down. Mr Burroughs gave good explanations and used interesting examples. When he introduced a new concept, he explained it thoroughly and gave an example of why or why not to do whatever he was explaining. I learned a lot of good habits from this book, especially about documenting sources. If you are planning to become a professional genealogist, this book is a good beginning and an excellent reference for your genealogy library. I know I am going to buy it and have already referred several others (who are beginners to genealogy) to read it and/or purchase it.

"As days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, the pages of calendars seemed to change with the blink of an eye. With each passing day, tomorrow suddenly became yesterday." (Page 470)

The above quote comes from deep within this detailed and interesting novel. Not only does it sum up the story to that point, it actually also sums up this novel which, despite the title, is not a sequel to the first novel "Have No Mercy." However, like the namesake, this novel features detailed characters and the tragic results of years of deceit, ignorance and greed.

There are two primary storylines in this 561-page novel and for the most part, each exists independent of the other until the twisting, shocking conclusion. One storyline involves Mama and her daughter known as "Farm Girl." Educationally and financially impoverished, they drift from place to place on Mama's whim as she does farm chores in exchange for food, a place to sleep, and a little money. They wind up on the Welk farm and end up staying for far longer than they planned as an emotional bond is made between them and the elderly Jefferson Welk.

"For Mama there was an instant bond with Jefferson. Quite unlike most of the farmers treated her in the past, Jefferson didn't talk down to her, like he was better than she was. His gentle way of speaking was comforting. She could find no argument in doing household tasks and cooking, or in finally teaching her daughter how to manage inside domestic chores." (Page 17)

The other storyline involves Darrin George Righter who lives with his much older brother, Frank, on the family farm in rural Nebraska. As a teenager, Darin caused problems and didn't seem to have inherited Frank's love for the farm, work ethic, or ability to act responsibly. After graduating from College, a lack of resources and a lack of employment forced Darin back to the family farm he hated so much.

"For a short time, unemployed Darin was either out and about town, drinking and carousing, or sitting around the house drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. He never bothered to lift a hand to help Frank. Easy going Frank didn't mind. Money was never an issue." (Page 27)

Eventually, Darrin gets a job at a local bank and before long hatches a devious plan to begin stealing from bank customers. At roughly the same time, Jefferson begins to teach Farm Girl the basics as best as he can while they all become closer and closer. As months pass, Darin temporarily crosses paths with Jefferson and Farm Girl, setting into motion further tragic events, before his own storyline splits off again.

As in "Have No Mercy," these characters and their actions are described in exhausting detail. Along with finding the occasional typos, a good editor would have been able to streamline this every expansive work somewhat by cutting down some of the dialogue, back story and overall details. Many areas of this novel could have been cut considerably without altering the overall story.

However, while it is excessively wordy, the overall story is complex, interesting, and keeps the reader involved. Things and events are planned out very well and fully described as the novel moves very slowly forward. There is a logical progression both in terms of character development as well as in the storyline and all questions are answered. Nothing is left hanging and open to reader interpretation as everything is fully and completely explained. The reader is left with an interesting and complex as well as overall enjoyable tale full of deceit and greed along with the usual warning from mother's everywhere-be careful what you wish for.


Book Facts:

Black Rosebud: Have No Mercy II
By Bobby and Kam Ruble
Global Authors Publications
www.globalauthorspublications.com
2003
ISBN # 0-97285131-3
Large Trade Paperback

Black Rosebud: Have No Mercy II
Bobby and Kam Ruble
ISBN: 0972851313
561 pp.

In the farm country of Nebraska we meet Farm Girl, a young naïve mind kept from the wickedness of the world by a mother, Mama, who for her own reasons runs from a past filled with pain. They, in their search for enough to sustain their meager existence, meet a kindly older gentleman, Jefferson Welk, who although mostly distrustful of strangers, decides out of loneliness to take them in for the season.

Both Farm Girl and her mother settle in quite well on the Welk farm, dutifully performing their tasks as they build a friendship with Jefferson. And although the man doesn't wish to press his concerns as to not break the tentative bonds that grow, he does convince Mama that education of Farm Girl is necessary. So armed with a limited amount of allowed material, Farm Girl begins to learn of the world that exists beyond the wire fences.

Enter Frank Righter, an ex-marine, who after this parents death assumes the responsibility to raise his younger brother, Darin, the town prankster with a love of both money and alcohol. Fresh from college, Darin has no wish to remain on the farm that his family built and with a perfect opportunity laid before him in the Want Ads of the local paper, he knows this could be the very chance he's been waiting for in order to get out.

All looks peaceful in Cole County until the phone rings in the local police station and Chief Rusty Simmons, a longtime friend of Frank, becomes drawn into a cat and mouse game with a criminal reported in the papers as the "Neat Nick Thief".

With a plot that twists as unpredictably as the wild rose grows, Black Rosebud will entice readers with intricate characters whose veiled motivations can't be revealed until the very end. Surprising and entertaining, with both laugh-out-loud wit and emotionally gripping scenes, Black Rosebud is for anyone who enjoys a good mystery!

Farm Girl grew up on various farms, working as a farm hand with her
mother, who shields Farm Girl from the world. If their employers got
to nosy or hinted that Farm Girl might be better off at school, Mama
and Farm Girl moved on to the next place. Mama did not want any questions
on how she chose to raise her daughter, or about who Farm Girl's father
was.

Jefferson Welk is an elderly black gentleman living alone on his farm
ever since a past tragedy cost him his family, and he is surprised to
find Mama and Farm Girl on his doorstep one day looking for work. He is
glad to give it, even though Mama insists that they will only sleep in
the barn and not the house. They stay longer at the Welk farm than
they have anywhere else, but if they hadn't maybe things would have
turned out differently.

Darin Righter is a young man mad at the world, feeling that growing up
on a farm in rural Nebraska is not for him. He has bigger ambitions
in life, women, fast cars and drinking, he wants to be surrounded by
luxury. Getting a job as an accountant at the bank, he overhears
various conversations that set him on the road to ruin and he doesn't
care about the innocent victims he takes with him.

What a fantastic book! You just want to read more to find out what's
going to happen next. There is a sense of suspense all the way through
and you just know that something terrible is going to happen. But to
who? And why?

Black Rosebud is an epic sweep of a novel, it's a long book that
gives the characters room to grow, which may not have been possible
in a shorter tome.

Themes in the book include intolerance, envy, greed, regret and what
might have been. The baddies are bad, the goodies come in shades of
grey and you have to wonder at everyone's motives. Every time Darin
appeared on the page, I wanted to boo and hiss like they used to do
at the villain twirling his black moustache in silent movies, he was
so well written.

An excellent thriller that focuses more on the characters, and the whys
of the crimes, rather than the who.

Reviewed by Annette Gisby, author of Drowning Rapunzel and Silent Screams.

Racial prejudice is a part of the human psyche that produces senseless acts. It is a festering sore in a society that may never heal. All kinds of intolerance can be justified by this cruelest of human acts.

Since humans first appeared on planet earth, they have been wary of those who are different from them. It does not seem to matter that we all are the same at heart. That is, a person wanting to live in peace and harmony with the world.

Their will always be, it seems, those members of a society not prepared to allow those different from themselves to exist. In those members minds they are superior to those that they persecute. Therefore what they do to them is entirely justified and of no consequence to the law of the land.

This type of thinking is also aimed at those who are different not because of their race, but because they have a physical or mental problem. Unscrupulous people see them as easy targets, ready made to fit in with their own selfish purpose. These callous beings serve no other purpose in life other than bringing untold misery to their victims.

Darin Righter was one of those people who felt superior to those around him. He felt that Kidwell, Nebraska was below his station in life. Living on a farm in a rural community did not meet his vision of how he wanted to spend his life.

His ideal life style would be being surrounded by luxury and have others to do his bidding. To be able to achieve this ideal existence he would need to get his hands on a large amount of money. The opportunity to do just this came along at the First People's Bank of Sharpin.

He got a job as an accountant with the bank and rose to the position of Mr Dodd's assistant. This was to be the first step on his path to misery. On this journey he would destroy people's lives.

Farm Girl, a young teenager not wise in the ways of the world, would be his most innocent victim. Born into poverty and raised by a mother who wished her identity to be kept unknown. She stood little chance of seeing through Darin's devious schemes.

His elder brother Frank doted on him, yet Darin despised him. Then there was old Jefferson Welk whose skin color held him down all of his life. Both of these men were to feel the venom of the evil that flowed in Darin's blood.

Bobby and Kam Ruble have shown with this novel that they are on top of their craft. The story is a rich texture of wonderful characters that move the reader to feel their emotions. Throughout the tale there are no flat spots to detract from the intrigue of the various twists in the plot.

This is the best book of it type that I have read this year. Once started, the reader will not be able to put this book down. It is a book that I would highly recommend all lovers of good fiction to read.

Review by Warren Thurston - Boggle Books

Darin Righter knows that farm life is for those inferior to him. He plans to escape Kidwell, Nebraska and all these losers to attain a luxurious lifestyle envied by the rich and famous. Darin may have illusions of grandeur, but he understands that to achieve his objective he needs funding, which in his mind equates to stomping on people including family to gain easy money.

He begins his quest by accepting an accounting job with the First People's Bank of Sharpin that gives him insider information. Farm Girl becomes a victim followed by Darin's older brother and finally elderly Jefferson Welk. Burglaries and murder occur, but is Darin a Lady Macbeth type willing to break the law to achieve his ambition? Though the rural law chief Simmons will do his best to solve the "Neat Nick" crimes, he is a product of his society in which the color of one's skin led to a hate crime that though two generations removed still lingers in the collective memory of everyone.

BLACK ROSEBUD is a powerful crime tale that provides readers with a slice of rural Midwest. Though exciting, the shrewdly designed investigation plays a support role to the relationships between residents of the county; the audience will feel like a Cornhusker tasting the dust of Nebraska's farming community. Readers will welcome this suspenseful story that uses individual and community de facto prejudice to add depth to the tale. Those who prefer a sleek crime thriller will probably be better suited elsewhere; anyone who takes delight in a minuscule look at people in a community where crimes have happened will appreciate this book and seek its predecessor, HAVE NO MERCY.

Harriet Klausner

Andre Coleman's book Blackbirds Vol. 1 is a wonderful book about an
average African American family in the 50's. Through the eyes of the
McCray family we will see a part of history that we should never forget.

Mr. Coleman's book is a very powerful book and should be read by all
ages. He has a unique writing style that will keep you wanting more.

D.I.V.A.S. in Training! Book Club gave this book 5 stars! (KC Girlfriends Book Club's book club for AA high school aged girls)

Please follow the MrCray family through all seven volumes. Blackbirds
Volume 2 is due to release Spring 2008.

TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President

Cons: A copyeditor could've easily covered the comma and line break issues. I was starting to get frustrated with Leona punking Robert repeatedly. In the beginning, it seemed odd for him to be such a pushover, especially within that time period.

Pros: I put cons up to show that I'm an unbiased reviewer, but regardless of that fact, I bought this book 100% because I really enjoyed Andre Coleman's last book. I didn't even know what the book was about, and I expected to like it, so I guess I'm not as unbiased as I thought I'd be. When I started reading it, my eyes widened. I don't know if I could have found a more fitting novel to read the past three days while I sat on a bus headed to Jena, Louisiana for the Jena 6 rally. I had no idea that this book was about racism in Louisiana and one family having to face the fear of taking on a town by defending their own, but as soon as my pupils met the words, I was off! This book gave me even more motivation to chant--not just for the Jena 6, but reflecting on the issues that were covered in this book that were so true to form (regardless of the book being fiction) that I could not avoid the emotions as I read. The incident with the flour and fights made me shake my head, pump my fist, and hope Lincoln's comments really did come true in regards to Franklin.

The uncomfortable part about Coleman's story was again, although it was supposed to be fiction, considering where I was headed, it's not like I could avoid the atmosphere of racism, hate, belittlement, hanging, and Black people having to make live or die decisions on a daily basis just because of the color of their skin. This novel had an eerily interesting plot, my nose was stuck in it every single time my group took bathroom breaks or between traveling to various rallies in LA, and finally people asked me what was it about this book that had me wrapped up in it. I recommended this book so much you'd have thought I got commission on it, but this was the type of book I wish everybody would've been reading on our way through the Midwest to reach Jena, LA. If the video on Emmitt Till that we watched on the bus wasn't enough ammunition, along with our destination and the Jena 6 case, this book put the icing on the cake. Excellent job, Mr. Coleman. I'm so very impressed.

Andre's style of writing draws you in and wraps around you so that you feel the characters come alive. I truly felt that I knew them. I finished the book in three evenings and I found myself thinking of each person throughout the day. I felt a myriad of emotions: anger, sadness, shame, frustration, sympathy, fear, admiration, happiness. It is heartbreaking to think of how these people were treated out of blatant hatred and pathetic ignorance. I admired their resiliance and determination. It was very educational for me as well as I did not know much about what happened during that period of time in our history. I am eager for volume 2 to continue my relationship with this proud, strong, caring family.

One of the most awe-inspiring books I have read in a long, long time. The emotion jumps off the page and reaches deep into your heart all the while ripping at your heartstrings. An emotional tale of racism and a look at the very similar parallels to the nation of race today. We have not come as far as we'd hoped. The McCray Family is one of love, strength, and the foundation found in a black family enduring heartache and struggle. The history that went into researching the true facts of what was going on in the rural south during the 30's and 50's made me sit back and reflect on where we have come from. I have shared this book with members of my family who also had a feeling of connection and understanding of who WE really are and the inner turmoil those who came before us went through. I can not wait for Volume #2 and the Revolution!
In the words of Joshua McCray - Freedom has no map.

Well done, Mr. Coleman, Well Done!

This is the first novel I have read by Mr. André Coleman and I was TOTALLY caught up in seemingly true to life struggles of the McCray family. This AMAZING novel although fictional is filled with a few real-life accounts of African American history that made the story much more SATISFYING. I could not put this book down! The minute I started the first page, I wanted to continue reading until I found out what would become of this strong, black family, who had to wade through the daily racism, hatred and ignorance which was so common during Jim Crow. The characters are well developed and each one has a distinct personality of their own that is quite MEMORABLE. Throughout this novel the characters will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, at some point you feel the intensity of their anger, sadness, fear, and even the little bit of joy they experience as they are faced with several life-altering decisions that could either strengthen this family's bond or tear them apart. Despite some of the editing issues this book still had a smooth flow and a very engaging dialogue. I often found myself crying, laughing and cheering with this courageous family as they took us on an EYE-OPENING and often HEARTBREAKING journey through our past. Congratulations, Mr. Coleman! I will be anxiously awaiting Volume II, so that I can continue this quite intriguing and educational, although imaginary voyage through our history with the unforgettable McCray family! A Definite MUST Read!

Blueprint for Black Power details a master plan for the power revolution necessary for Black survival in the 21st century. Blueprints posits that an African American/Caribbean/Pan-African bloc would be most potent for the generation and delivery of Black power in the United States and the World to counter White and Asian power networks. Wilson frames this imperative by deconstructing the U.S. elite power structure of government, political parties, think tanks, corporations, foundations, media, interest groups, banking and foreign investment particulars. Potentially strong Black institutions as the church, media and think tanks; industry; collectives such as investment clubs and credit unions; rotating credit associations such as Afrikan-originated esusu, tontine and partner are analyzed. Pan-Afrikanism, Black Nationalism, ethnocentrism and reparation are assessed, often misused and underused financial institutions as securities, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, underwriting, and incubators advocated, thus elucidating oft-negated opportunities for economic empowerment.

ECONOMIC DESTINY DETERMINES BIOLOGICAL DESTINY!This book although big and thick it really is the blueprint for power. It expands on what BLACK Labor White Wealth by Claude Anderson PHD talks about. This book covers all the bases. Mr Wilson's book shows how insightful he is about the problems we face today. He shows several ways how we can have heaven while we LIVE overnight if we do what he suggests. It shows how the power is within our grasp if we will only wake up and raise our consciousness of what is really going on, I was awakened several times in this book; Wilson names names of the organizations and the people in the organizations that are anti black. He names the black leaders that are anti black too. He explains what's going on and why it continues unabated. He talks about how the nation uses psychic warfare to keep African Americans down. He explains how they deliberately keep blacks out of higher education; yes, we do get an education but there are different levels of education. There's the education that will teach you how to use a computer and then there's the education that will teach you how to make a computer from raw materials. Big difference! He talks about how blacks have very few people who have this very high level of knowledge that can be used by blacks to be more valuable to the world. He explains how too many blacks have a consumer mentality not a producer mentality. He has charts and references galore showing startling comparisons between blacks and whites that should not be missed by anyone of african ancestry. He goes deep into the obstacles that are holding blacks back in spite of drive and determination to succeed(Think and Grow Rich a black choice IS NOT the last word on success). He really made me rethink whether or not it is probable not possible to succeed when starting with no money. Wilson says the odds are against it. Of course you can always find someone who has succeeded from all the ghettos in the world but what about the other people in the same situation who didn't have any money, no inheritance from parents, no references, no relatives, no insurance money coming to them because their parents just died, no money coming to them from an injury and no one to give you advice. This is why so many blacks find themselves in jail or working menial jobs according to Wilson. The author suggests an african centered consciousness that will help the weakest one of us and help all of us to see immediate progress. This book is truly shocking; over and over again he talks about the consequences of not raising ourselves up:BIOLOGICAL DEMISE! Really this is no joking manner; the author has me convinced and Black Wealth White Labor says the same thing that if we do not learn how to compete with white people we will go the way of the indians. It is imperative that we adapt this philosophy before it is too late.

Blueprint for Black Power details a master plan for the power revolution necessary for Black survival in the 21st century. Blueprints posits that an African American/Caribbean/Pan-African bloc would be most potent for the generation and delivery of Black power in the United States and the World to counter White and Asian power networks. Wilson frames this imperative by deconstructing the U.S. elite power structure of government, political parties, think tanks, corporations, foundations, media, interest groups, banking and foreign investment particulars. Potentially strong Black institutions as the church, media and think tanks; industry; collectives such as investment clubs and credit unions; rotating credit associations such as Afrikan-originated esusu, tontine and partner are analyzed. Pan-Afrikanism, Black Nationalism, ethnocentrism and reparation are assessed, often misused and underused financial institutions as securities, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, underwriting, and incubators advocated, thus elucidating oft-negated opportunities for economic empowerment.

The late Amos Wilson wrote a blockbuster with this book. In in he states why African-Americans are economically powerless. He also states how they are to achieve power. A book well worth reading.

A lot to read, but well worth the investment. This book, if taken to heart, should be required reading for all Blacks and anyone interested in the advancment of Black people. Every thing you ever wanted to know about the who, what, when, where and why of the Black condition and how to rise above White dominance is right here.

"Buried in the Bitter Waters," a look at American ethnic cleansing is inevitably comparable to James Loewen's (slightly) earlier book on the subject, "Sundown Towns." Of the two, I like this one better as Loewen's book, while excellent and informative, is a bit too heavy on the sociology and academia for my liking. This is a bit more layman-friendly. "Buried in the Bitter Waters" pretty much sticks to the stories and recollections of the events in question, although the author does get a bit rambly in th end with a story of the Atlanta newspaper's timidity in reporting racial incidents in nearby Forsyth County. Overall, it's a pretty good informal read of obscure (and uncomfortable) American history.

I wish to commend Mr. Jaspin, the author of this work for his intelligence, his tenacity, moral integrity. I thank him for the sacrifices that he made to bring this powerful work to us.

This is a chapter in American History that I had not known before. I learned of Forsyth County for the first time when I read the accounts of the protest and its racist past in the New York Times. And I was born and raised in Atlanta during the time when segregation was the order of the day. Having read this work, I believe it is possible that my own family may have felt the terror of a racial cleansing and banishment. My father, now deceased, told me that my grandfather packed up his family and belongings, left Monticello and came to Atlanta in fear of the Klan in 1902.

This book makes one of the strongest cases for reparations. The problems of racism and inequity in economic relations in America will never be solved as long as the problems are denied. While there was an apology given by congress for its inaction at the height of the lynching era of blacks in America for the first time in June 2005, the apology is meaningless without an atonement with a compensation for the real and personal property that was lost and stolen under the threat of death in the early part of the 20th century. And finally, unless justice is rendered and actions are taken to protect the property rights of all Americans, then the perpertrators will be encouraged to continue their brutality and theft of the property of the citizens who are least able to protect their rights; the Hurricane Katrinas will continue and the entire American economic fabric will be destroyed as is occurring in the subprime mortgage crisis, though the fraud in these transactions initially targeted to African Americans, the victims now envelop the global economic community.

... elements of a powerful film on the order of Yojimbo or The Good the Bad and the Ugly - films where a defenseless minority in a village somewhere is terrorized by the rowdiest elements of their majority neighbors, but this time no Toshiro Mifune or Clint Eastwood is on hand to set things right. By individual violence and/or mob intimidation, the minority is driven from its homes and property, often with the memory of the public slaughter of family members to carry with them into exile and to preclude their ever returning. And in every case there is indifference or collusion from the police and other authorities.

The heart of Buried in the Bitter Waters is narrative -- twelve tragic stories of violence in twelve far-flung communities, decades apart in time. In each story, ordinary people united by their history and ethnicity suddenly rise against their neighbors of a different history and ethnicity, attack them physically, intimidate them psychologically and economically, and force them to leave the community, never to return under threat of death. It's always majority against minority, of course, or it couldn't be done. And in these stories it's successful; in every case, the community remains "pure" even generations later, and feels darned proud of its purity. True, the level of violence is different from narrative to narrative, but violence is always the means. In one narrative, the mob - provoked by a crime committed by one young man of the minority group - rampages through the minority community. It grabs two young men at random and literally shoots them to pieces. Then it seizes a man considered one of the elders of the minority and lynches him, leaving his body hanging as "a grizly tourist attraction" for two days. When that man's pregnant wife seeks help from the authorities, the mob seizes her also, hangs her upside-down in a tree, douses her with gasoline and sets her on fire, then disembowels her and rips out her eight-month fetus. When the infant cries feebly, one of the mob throws it on the ground and stomps it to death.

This is not a scene from a Medieval pogrom, or for the Thirty Years War, or from Nazi Germany, or from sectarian strife in Iraq. The scene of the murdered mother occurred in Georgia in 1918, and all the others narrated in "Buried in Bitter Waters" took place in America - in Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas. The victims in every case were African-Americans - descendants of slaves brought to the communities by the ancestors of the mob, long-time neighbors but never accepted as such - and the perpetrators of violence in every case were European-Americans, local people, not roving marauders.

Ethnic Cleansing is such a horrifying concept that Americans will bristle in anger at the mere suggestion that it has occurred in their country, perhaps in their own region. But it has, and not just once, or in one big outburst. Rather it has occurred spontaneously, at random, and often. By careful analysis of census data, old news reports, memoirs, and oral histories, author Elliot Jaspin has identified 260 counties - COUNTIES! not villages - in the states of the South and lower Midwest where 'successful' ethnic cleansings took place sometime between the Civil War and the present. Because of such actions, the demographic map of America even today looks like a checkerboard when the percentage of African-American families is depicted county by county. Jaspin has found that even in communities where the living European-American populace has no historical memory of an ethnic cleansing, such memories persist in the African-American population at large, in the form of vague dread and a sense of unwelcomeness in those communities. Jaspin also speculates that if data were available by towns or townships, the number of incidences of ethnic cleansing in America would be much higher.

Jaspin is a European-American himself, a career journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner working for the Cox Newspaper chain.

Truly, African-Americans and European-Americans have lived through two different histories in "the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." But while the European-Americans know and want to know only their own version of American history, the African-Americans are by necessity aware of both versions. Theirs is the ugly one: slavery, dashed hopes after emancipation, Ku Klux Klan raids, lynchings, disenfranchisement, Black Codes of labor, share-cropping peonage, "Sundown Towns," apartheid, denial of opportunity, unequal application of the law, humiliation in popular culture, ghettoization by way of real estate red-lining and denial of credit for home-buying, laws against intermarriage, a perpetual 'inferiority' imposed economically and psychologically. Some things have gotten better since the 1960s, but NOT ENOUGH. Remember that, my fellow European-Americans, when next you feel offended by the anger, expressed by Rev. Jeremiah Wright but felt by many others whose ancestors may have been "cleansed" by yours.

Elliot Jaspin does a superb job of uncovering the hidden history of about a dozen American counties where the white citizens used violence and the threat of violence to force their black neighbors to move out of the county. It's ugly history that many white people might be reluctant to hear about, which is why it's been hidden for so long. But Jaspin tells the stories with a compelling and passionate voice that makes for very accessible and important reading for anyone who cares about the American history of race.

However, this book is not only about history. In his final chapter, Jaspin, who researched this history for both this book and a series of newspaper articles, recounts the struggles over the publication of the newspaper articles. This chapter shows that the impulse to keep the hidden history hidden is still strong -- for example, by resisting the term "racial cleansing" and holding to the legend (that Jaspin refutes) that the black people were generally compensated for their loss of land and property. This final chapter ends on a hopeful note with a story of truth and reconciliation that shows that the truth can lead to healing.

I encourage anyone interested in the American history of race to read this important book.

I was channel hopping and came across a PBS independent file "Banished" and was quite surprised when the 1st place they mentioned was Washington County, Indiana, where I am orginally from and where my family still is. I was curious, so I did a search on Amazon and came across this book. Again, 1st thing mentioned, Washington County, Indiana. Then, later on in the book I came across Laurel County, Kentucky, where my maternal grandmother's people are from! I never thought I could be so ashamed of where I came from. It hurts to read this book, that people can be so ignorant and cruel.

I definitely suggest reading this. As I mentioned, it hurts, but we all should know our history, and hopefully quit repeating it.

The stories are inspiring and uplifting for Women, Men and Children of all colors And Especially so for African Americans. Beautiful!

This "serving" of the Chicken Soup for the soul shows the vision, way of thinking and feelings of AfroAmerican women, which have had a so great role in the shaping of the recent history of the USA. I've missed more stories from the "old days", more stories told from grandmothers to their grandchildren and I think the book would be richer with them. Also, it doens't show the sad face of the racism many of those women have suffered and even if it's extremely hard and sad, it's not less true and it must be told in order to avoid such facts being repeated.

Well, this second helping of Chicken Soup for the Afrian-American Soul is for women and everyone who loves them. When you need something to feel good fast, gulp down one of the tasty short stories, seasoned just right. When you want to lift someone up, treat them to this unforgetable treat that they will gobble up. Get ot as a gift for yourself or someone else-- a gift that will keep on giving because of the memorable and inspirational feel-good stories packed inside a beautifully bound cover.

I'm really enjoying this book. I'm formerly an avid reader who recently has been so busy that spending time reading and finishing a good, thick book has been quite a challenge. I like this book because while I'm commuting or waiting in the doctor's office or whatever I can choose at random any of these short, stories and get a quick "pick me up" a little lift in my spirits that gets me through my day in a better frame of mind.
I definitely reccommend it!

I have enjoyed reading about the joys, the struggles, the good and the bad of this wonderful culture. Women have many roles, moms, daughters, sisters, aunts, wives, friends. I have enjoyed reading about all of these roles from personal experiences and veiws of the writers. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys good reading and want to know more about the phenomenal black woman.