African-American Books

The book is absolutely marvelous. It is a reminder of the songs that I learned as a child that still are a tradition in the African-American Church. It is wonderful to know that I have an additional resource for preaching and teaching. I have chosen to share this with many members of our congregation. There are so many more songs that could have been used, but Ms. Warren seems to have picked the absolute best. God's richest blessings to you!!!

This is a good book for the worshipper who wants devotions or to know the back story behind their favorite hymns. And the author's piano/vocal arrangements are for the most part playable and error-free.

That being said, this is a selective not a comprehensive collection of Gospel Music. I found myself wondering "is this song in here?" looking and being disappointed that it was not included. Especially the older Spirituals (out-of-copyright). There should have been more of these, instead of the traditional Hymn section, which is duplicated in many Hymnals. If the Hymns had to be kept, it would have been instructive to see the original and the "gospelfied" versions in print, side-by-side. That and the lack of footnotes and skimpy historical info (definitely more on the appropiation of Spirituals in the Civil-Rights era and the controversy concerning Dorsey's Blues-Gospel style in the 1930's-40's) make this book more for the casual reader than a resource for the serious student of the genre.

The newer Gospel and Contemporary songs are a nice touch, although I wondered at putting the copyright and publisher information in the back of the book.


Also a spiral binding would be good for those who wish to play the music...

In Ephesians 5:19, the Apostle Paul urges Christians to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in our heart to the Lord." Author Gwendolin Sims Warren follows this comprehensive arrangement in "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit."

For Christians growing up in Church over the past half century, she answers the question, "I wonder about the history of the composition of this song . . ." Warren's contextualizing of these favorites provides an emotionally and spiritually moving interpretation and celebration of these songs that deepens their impact on the hearers.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction.

This is a splendid book, written in an personal, informed, deeply intelligent and moving way by a wonderful woman. It is a perfect resource for those who want to know the history and inspiration of the songs it contains, which are, by themselves, inspired and inspiring.

In this collection, Ms. Warren presents straightforward and faithful arrangements of 101 psalms, gospel hymns, and spirituals. She relates brief histories of the songs and places them in the context of her Christian faith and experience.

Generously, Ms. Warren includes a couple of dozen Euro-American hymns and presents them in a similar context. Undoubtedly, these hymns stand in relation to and have even influenced some twentieth century black composers.

But it is the presentation of the songs from the Afican-American tradition that is most important here. The Euro-American hymns aside, this is a marvellous introduction to black American spirituals and hymnody.

I agree with another reviewer that this is a wonderful work to browse at random, but it is also rewarding to sit down and read it through. As you please.

Either way, when you come to the end of the book, if you've got a soul it will thirst for more...

I hope you'll be able to satisfy some of that thirst by hearing some of this music sung live by a choir and congregation that knows its business. Even if you're not a Christian, you may still find it rewarding to experience this aspect of Christianity first-hand.

After all, you've already heard this music many times before. It is the cornerstone for American blues, jazz, soul, and rock 'n' roll. It began in Africa, survived the Middle Passage, grew up fast in hard times in the American South, and lived to tell the tale. It's been around the world and back a million times.

And, speaking on behalf of the planet, the world can't wait to see where this music takes us next.

The theme of slave trade dominates the book.
However, it is neither monotonous nor depressing.
In fact, it was necessary to do so, because the book did clearly explain the political factors and social rules of an influential white society that has forged the irrevocable fate of slaves.
After reading the book, one might wonder what decisive role, did the Africans in Africa play in the slave trade?
The book also addresses the issue of the effects of religion on African slaves brought to the United States.
It is fascinating to read about how ethnic African traditions and deep rooted religious beliefs got mixed up with the teachings of a White Church in America.
We see here two divergent Christianities: A white Christianity and a black Christianity.
Equally fascinating is how African slaves tried to preserve their ethnic language, traditions and way of life, later to adopt a new form of linguistic expression stranger and incoherent to both the American white society and the oppressed black community.
The book is a chronicle of the human drama and social conflict; a conflict that one day will explode to create a new identity for African American in a capitalistic and threatening society.

This book is excellent. Like someone said everyone of African ancestry needs to read this book. I had to buy my own copy.

This is an excellent book. I want every one of African descent to read this book. It is fantastic. This book is in my 10 list.

Early on the Africans were well aware of their ethnic identities, but over time, they were forgotten, and a new people emerged. Now this took generations. It was a slow and torturous process.

If you want to educate yourself about black folks in America and where they came from, and how they evolved, read this book.

This book is of decisive importance, for by studying the convergence of an African American nationality out of the various nationalities and ethnicities that people were brought here from Africa, Michael Gomez underlines the function of the African-origins cultures and the construction of an African-American culture in a process of resistance and opposition to the inslavement, dehumanization, and degredation that Africans and their descendants have face.

Contrary to many popular assumptions, Gomez shows that in colonial and early independent America slave holders and slaves were quite aware of the different African cultures and ethnicities represented among the enslaved. Trade patterns, affinities of slave buyers for certain types of ethnicities, beliefs that some peoples were good for some tasks, others for others, led to many concentrations of slaves from the same culture and language groups in colonial America. This ensured that Africans in American tended to preserve very much of their native cultures, religions, and outlooks.

Indeed, Gomez illustrates that in language and religion large sections of the African American people in becoming retained their African religion, and at first retained their African languages, and then began our own African American language (Black English) precisely because the context of the dominant culture and its language and religion were hostile to the human dignity of Africans in America and their descendants.

Gomez's solid research and clear evaluation of massive amounts of original sources upsets many ideas on African American history that were assumptions and not facts. One of the most important is the lateness and difficulty that Christianity had in gaining seizable conversions among Africans in America and their descendants. He suggests that only by the time of the Civil War were African Americans substantially Christian. Gomez demonstrates that except for an overly assimilationist minority among "freed" slaves, Christianity only caught on where African religeous practices were mixed into it. More importantly, Gomez explains the reason for the final victory of Christianity is that it could be manipulated to provide a rationale and hope of liberation from racism and oppression both metaphysical and physical, that the individual African religions could not provide. Gomez illustrates that what occured was the development of an African American religion, rather than the adoption of a European religion.

In the process, the reader will learn new and more accurate views of whence and when Africans were brought to America during the period of slavery. The reader will learn the general political and religious outlooks of the different major groups of Africans who came here. The reader will learn a survey of the historical, economic, and political upheavals in AFrica wrought by the slave trade.

This is a serious and important book, written at the highest level of scholarship. Thus, it is sometimes not easy reading and certainly is not written as a popular entertainment. Yet, even the casual reader who sticks with this book and turns to Gomez's notes and bibliographic material for more to read will be vastly rewarded.

A superb book that is a "must read" for every African African American man, woman and child. This book is the stuff of seminars, workshops and discussion groups at all levels. One of the fascinating positions exposed by Gomez was why it took the diverse ethnic Africans to achieve an African American consciousness. The depth of documentation was monumental. I always wondered why the color "red" had such significance in the African American "red clawt" tales. Gomez' book inspired me to research this aspect of African American tales. Thank you Mr. Gomez!

This is a story all young men and women should read...it is truly the story of "the American Dream" come to life...it demonstrates what tenacity and chutzpah can accomplish in the very competetive fashion world.
I'm fortunate enough to own several of Mr. Hankins' designs, and knowing the story behind the clothing is wonderful.
I was very pleased with this book.

A remarkable story of success in the ever competitive fashion and corporate world. Anthony is a definite inspiration and envy of many young and struggling. Follow your heart and your dreams seems to be the theme of this book. We all need that fabric of dreams talk every so often in our lives. I could not help but conclude this book with a big old smile!!!!

This book is outstanding! I reccomend this book to anyone who can get their hands on it. It is a true story of hard work, determination, strongness, and much more. This book is written in such a way that you feel as if you know Anthony Mark Hankins personally. I loved it!

In response to Kirkus Reviews, why wouldn't consumers want to know about a designer of such determination and talent? It's like your saying because AMH is young and not yet as common a household name as Calvin Klein that his life and accomplishments don't deserve recognition. His story has given many aspiring designers, myself included the confidence to reach for their dreams.

With today's society, it often seems that we have little to do with our destiny. In this book, Hankins descibes a clear interpretation of his life. He also shares his commitment to success without compromising his integrity. This is a rare find in the world of business!!! The book is written from a sincere and personal aspect which allows the reader to feel as if the opportunity to know Hankins is contained in these pages. Delightful and inspiring describe the overall feel of the text. Highly recommend to read if you desire to make a career of design your goal. Hankins set the goal and achieved it, thus proving his participation in creating his destiny. He continues to 'raise the bar' in his career from what I have seen. Look forward to the sequel!!!!

I read this book with no prior knowledge of the author or any of his other literary work. What first captured my attention were the two young men of color on the book cover. Second thing that captured more of my attention were the well done, scenic, and colorful illustrations by Brian Pinkney. Author Robert D. San Souci even added a glossary for the words that young readers of the English language may not be familiar with. For example, words such as Bon-Die, Bonjou, Monfi, and Monsieur.

"The Faithful Friend" tells the heartfelt story of just that...a faithful friend. Clement (of Martinique in the Caribbean) and Hippolyte (of French descent) were friends, yet as close as brothers. They embark on a travel for Clement to propose marriage to a young woman that he fell in love with by sight of a picture only. Along the way they discovered the dead body of an old beggar in a banana grove. The good hearted young men provide a burial for the body and continued on their journey. After reaching their destination, all was well with the woman... but her Uncle did not care for a marriage between the two. The Uncle was also a wizard. He attempted to cast a spell on the young man who sought a wife, but the faithfulness of a friend caused none of the spells to work. On their journey home the friendship is demonstrated in more ways than one. The mystery that surrounds the spells and the faithfulness of the friend captures the readers attention. At one point I thought that I could predict the ending, but the author was too slick to let his readers be disappointed by having a predictable ending.

Overall, this is one book that I will highly recommend to young readers because it is well done from beginning to end (story and illustration). It is like an old folks tale with a French & Caribbean flavor. It may also spark a young reader to want to learn a foreign language, which is a valuable skill to acquire.

Review by:
Pamela Jarmon-Wade

Set on the French West Indies island of Martinique, this classic telling of two inseparable friends who would give their lives for each other, offers more than mere fairy tale. Clement and Hippolyte are as close or closer than brothers, even though they do not share the same race. They have been raised together since birth and cannot be parted. On a journey to find Clement's true love, they find and bury a homeless man, run from an enraged uncle, and dodge three curses cast upon them by a quimboiseur (a wizard).

At first I wasn't sure I would like this tale, as I made my predictions while reading. I thought I had completely guessed the ending. "How predictable," I surmised. "Too easy to figure out." As I continued to flip the pages, my predictions began to unravel.

This book represents the length that a friend will go to help and care for a true friend. These two young men have built a very strong bond that holds them together like brothers. This story takes place on an island with many twists and turns that make it a very exciting story. I think it is very important to let children know that we should be loyal to others in time of need. This story really hits on the true meaning of friendship, although it is fiction. My students love the illustrations which are done in scratchboard. Robert D. San Souci is a very good author for folk literature. I also like his book, The Talking Eggs. His work is good for teaching good values, or morals to students through unreal happenings.

The Faithful Friend is a French tale base in the Caribbean on the island of Martinique. Two inseparable friends, Clement and Hippolyte, are on a journey to propose marriage. After a beautiful woman named Pauline accepts Clement's proposal her uncle sets out to destroy them both. Three zombies have cast spells on the couple and it's up to Hippolyte to save them. The content seems to be appropriate for the ages indicated on the back of the book. However, there are some fairly complex words within the text, but a glossary has been provided at the beginning of the book. The Faithful Friend is definately written for young children, yet adults will enjoy the tale as well. Each illustration brings more meaning to the text. It uses bright, beautiful colors that words could never describe. They are also very accurate and consistent with the story. The artist uses a scratchboard technique throughout the entire book. This book seems to have been binded well, and the front cover bears two handsome young African boys, along with the Caldecott Honor sticker! Two thumbs up!!

When author Robert San Souci isn't writing yet another version of the Cinderella story (this man has done everything from skeletons to Cajuns, I kid you not) he can be found writing the film script to the Disney film Mulan, adapting every folktale known to man, and collaborating with some of the best living children's illustrators out there today. He can probably tile his floor with his Coretta Scott King Awards at this point and that Caldecott Honor he acquired from "The Faithful Friend" probably doesn't look too shabby either. Of course, Mr. San Souci hasn't a degree in folktales nor has he ever worked in a professional capacity when studying them. My response? Capacity schmapacity. This guy does his research, knows his stuff, and produces some of the best darned picture book folktales out there today. If his backgrounds just in advertising and film reviewing, so be it. At least he has a healthy respect for the genre and a great ear for folktale text. "The Faithful Friend" is an excellent example of both.

On an island in Martinique, two boys grew up on a sugar plantation. One boy was Clement, a brown-skinned boy who's father owned the estate. The other was Hippolyte, Clement's white companion and servant of the house. The boys grew up together and one day Clement told his friend that he'd fallen in love with Pauline, the niece of a man rumored to be a wizard. Hippolyte worries that there may be danger in going to visit her, but his friend won't be talked out of it. Together they travel along the coast road and, as they go, bury a poor beggar they find dead along the road. When at last the boys meet Pauline she's charmed by Clement but her uncle is not impressed. Though she swears to marry her new (some might say instant) love, the uncle vows to stop them at whatever the cost. Now Hippolyte must save his friend and insipient bride from zombies, poisoned fruit, nasty water, snakes, and that awful fate of turning to stone. Friendship has never been so good.

In an Afterword of the book, San Souci gives a riveting account of the many variations of this tale and gives a mighty compelling explanation of why exactly he chose this particular version. Turns out that this story is a Martiniquan version with an alluring chance to incorporate ghosts and grateful dead (sans Jerry Garcia) to the mix. He makes several allusions to "The Types of the Folk-Tale" by Antti Arne, which lists every single folktale variant and gives each one a number. Hence, your average grateful deal/the dead man as helper tale is tale type 505 while the rescued princess/the grateful dead man story is more along the lines of tale type 506. I don't know about you but I'm now itching to get my hands on this "Type" book to find more stories that fit certain molds.

When he chose to tell this tale of a black character and his white hero sidekick, San Souci switched the genre from the typical white-guy-and-his-magical-black-friend story found in every bad movie and book to something original and interesting. Race is not necessarily a factor in this book, allowing the viewer the chance to concentrate far more on the story than the politics. Because San Souci is throwing every folktale trick into the mix (from the ghostly to the ghoulish to the ghastly to the gorgeous) you might think that he's in danger of spreading himself too thin. Quite the opposite turns out to be the case. Though he draws from a variety of different sources, San Souci finds the perfect balance between the fabulous and the meaningful. This is a story about friendship, plain and simple. It just throws in a few zombies here and there for kicks.

San Souci has paired with every conceivable illustrator in the past and in this particular case he has been put together with the very well-known Brian Pinkney. Personally, I much prefer Brian Pinkney's pictures to those of his father Jerry Pinkney. His pairing with San Souci has always been particularly inspired, and I consider their work on "Sukey and the Mermaid" to be an example of one of the best picture books available to kids today (and certainly the top mermaid picture book every made). In this picture book Pinkney engages in full-throttle no-holds-barred scratchboard and oil pictures. The result are lush full-color spreads that shed delicate pink/purple light from oil skies onto scratchboard faces or delicately swirl circular winds of power around hot orange mangoes in a zombie's hand. Speaking of the zombies, I don't know how San Souci pictured them when he wrote this story down, but Pinkney has made them somewhat hot. These are good-looking zombie women. An odd but interesting choice on the artist's part.

You know, I don't usually like scratchboard picture books. When Mr. Pinkney wrote and illustrated, "The Adventures of Sparrowboy", I felt the technique was completely unnecessary. Seeing it in the context of this story, however, it not only works but compliments the story itself. All in all, "The Faithful Friend" is everything a good children's folktale should be. Creepy and lovely and with a good moral that is not moralistic. A jolly good read altogether.

The was a really good book! Martin has been at a new school for 2 weeks. He has already gotten into fights and is trying to convince the superintendant of Bluford High School that he should not be expelled. He is also having problems at home. Martin's mother moves him to the new school after his younger brother was shot and killed. Martin is sneaking behind his mothers back to hang out with Frankie and the other "home boys" from his old neighborhood. Martin finds out that the bullet that killed his brother was really meant for Frankie. When Frankie realizes Martin knows the truth, he betrays his old friend and plots with two other boys to kill him. Martin convinces the two boys that Frankie is not the kind of boy they should hang around and the three of them stop Frankie in his tracks. This book taught me alot. I learned the value of friends and also if someone knows something that could help the police solve a crime they should do everything they can to help.

Martin Luna is a boy who has a problems with the thuffes homeboy from his old hood Frankie.Martin also has problem at home with his mom.Martin also has been in school two weeks and has skips class,got in a fight,and got supended.Frankie is as try to get Martin back for what he done.Martin dont want Frankie to hurt Vicky so he told her off and also dont want vicky involed in his problens.That day Martin write a letter to Vicky say his sorry for what said to her.Also that day he had a problem with Steve in the boys locker room.Then the teacher seprate then Martin push the teacher to the wall thats when jantors got Martin and took him to the principal offices.The principal told Martin he was exspelled from school.Martin and his mom got in to a fight at home .That day he saw Chago and he told Martin that Frankie was going to get him back one of this nights.Then vicky went to vist Martin theb next day because of the letter he wrote her.Vicky and Martin were talking it go late and Vicky left.That night Martin kept checking every nosie he heard.To see if it was Frankie and his and Martin old homeboys.In till he heard a nosie and he knew it was Frankie voice and the home boys.That night Martin thought of plan what to do before Frankie saw him and he did know a plan.

Martin Luna is a boy who has a problems with the thuffes homeboy from his old hood Frankie.Martin also has problem at home with his mom.Martin also has been in school two weeks and has skips class,got in a fight,and got supended.Frankie is as try to get Martin back for what he done.Martin dont want Frankie to hurt Vicky so he told her off and also dont want vicky involed in his problens.That day Martin write a letter to Vicky say his sorry for what said to her.Also that day he had a problem with Steve in the boys locker room.Then the teacher seprate then Martin push the teacher to the wall thats when jantors got Martin and took him to the principal offices.The principal told Martin he was exspelled from school.Martin and his mom got in to a fight at home .That day he saw Chago and he told Martin that Frankie was going to get him back one of this nights.Then vicky went to vist Martin theb next day because of the letter he wrote her.Vicky and Martin were talking it go late and Vicky left.That night Martin kept checking every nosie he heard.To see if it was Frankie and his and Martin old homeboys.In till he heard a nosie and he knew it was Frankie voice and the home boys.That night Martin thought of plan what to do before Frankie saw him and he did know a plan.

The Fallen By: Paul Langan
The Fallen Is one of the best books i have ever read its about a kid named martin luna he always getting in trouble at school and out of school. He lost his little brother in a gang shoting and has wanted justice for his little bro scince that. He was transferd to bluford high school becuse his mother was worried and wanted him to stay out of trouble. While being there he meets a girl named vicky and vicky likes martin alot but martin rejects becuse he is afriad that she will get hurt being with him. One day frankie martins x best friend says that he knows who killed his little brother and they plan a shooting to kill the man they think it is. One night martin gets his black bandana and heads out to kill the kid that kiled his little brother. Once he gets there he starts to think about how it wont bring his brother back and how it wont help no one exept hurt more people. After martin desides not to do it frankie gets mad and starts to beat martin. He beats martin so bad he has to go to the hospitle. After coming home martin finds the black bandana on the door of his house. The next day martin gose to school he desides to skip and sees hes over old friend chago. chago gose and tells him that frankie is coming for him and that it is a warning. He then gose home and falls asleep and has bad dreams about hes brother and wants the revenge.
The next day he gose agin to the house and finds the person that killed his little brother when he gets there he sees a kid he had seen a long time ago and knew that it was a kid that frankie had beat up along time ago and frankie had parliyzided him and that they were aiming for frankie and that it was a mastake they were after frankie not herro. A while later vicky comes over and talks with martin and martin finally snaps and releases all the sad feelings and opens up to vicky. After that Martin and vicky go on a date and go for pizza. Martin then relizes that Frankie well be at hius house soon so he leaves vicky and rushes home wiating for frankie to come.

Martin Luna is a boy who has a problems with the thuffes homeboy from his old hood Frankie.Martin also has problem at home with his mom.Martin also has been in school two weeks and has skips class,got in a fight,and got supended.Frankie is as try to get Martin back for what he done.Martin dont want Frankie to hurt Vicky so he told her off and also dont want vicky involed in his problens.That day Martin write a letter to Vicky say his sorry for what said to her.Also that day he had a problem with Steve in the boys locker room.Then the teacher seprate then Martin push the teacher to the wall thats when jantors got Martin and took him to the principal offices.The principal told Martin he was exspelled from school.Martin and his mom got in to a fight at home .That day he saw Chago and he told Martin that Frankie was going to get him back one of this nights.Then vicky went to vist Martin theb next day because of the letter he wrote her.Vicky and Martin were talking it go late and Vicky left.That night Martin kept checking every nosie he heard.To see if it was Frankie and his and Martin old homeboys.In till he heard a nosie and he knew it was Frankie voice and the home boys.That night Martin thought of plan what to do before Frankie saw him and he did know a plan.

I loved reading this book aloud to my second graders. It is delightful to see how Flossie outwits the fox. Have fun reading it to your children at home too!

Little Red Riding Hood is essentially a British folk tale. Flossie is a quintessentially American product. She's smart as a whip, cute as a button, and clever without being obnoxiously sassy or brash. She minds her manners while protecting her basket of eggs. She lives in the rural south of sometime past. Big Mama sends her to take some eggs to a neighbor because a fox has taken all the neighor's eggs. Big Mama warns Flossie to watch out for the fox because they surely do love eggs, and off Flossie goes in her pigtails and pinafore. She does meet up with the fox, and she cleverly outsmarts him, but you aren't sure she's going to do it until the last page, when she reveals what she's known all along. Patricia McKissack says this is one of the stories told her as a child. I can't find the source, but I read something else this gifted author wrote once about this 'black Little Red Riding' story. As best I recall, what she said is that this isn't a 'black Little Red Riding Hood story," it's a Flossie and the Fox story, and there's no need to have 'African American' substitutes for the traditional tales which we all should know, because we all should know them. She didn't write this story as a substitute- it's just another really good, ripping yarn that we *also* all should know. I hope I'm not misrepresenting what she said, but that's how I remember it. At any rate, I agree that this is a really good story for all children and their parents, and it stands boldly on its own merits, and Flossie is a little girl I'd be proud to know.

Flossie Finley, the smart and feisty heroine of this book is one of my favorite characters in all of childrenÕs literature. The story is an African American variation on Little Red Riding Hood, but Flossie is no wide-eyed innocent who has to be saved in the end by the big, brave woodcutter. She can save herself, thank you very much. The way she tricks the fox who wants to devour her basket of eggs is delightful. Every little girl (and probably every boy as well) ought to be introduced to this brave and resourceful child.

And Flossie is not the only great thing about this book. Patricia McKissack based it on a story her grandfather told her and she tried to reproduce the way he told it, in "the rich and colorful dialect of the rural south." The language is lovely, musical and poetic Ð a joy to read aloud. And the illustrations are equally gorgeous. The pictures of sun-dappled wood remind me of Impressionist paintings.

Great story, great writing, great pictures, great character Ð this is one of the best childrenÕs books IÕve ever read.

This has become my favorite children's book! I bought it for my "almost" three yr old son and he was captivated by the story and the beautiful pictures. Flossie is so innocently sly! She will not be out-witted by some ol' fox! The idea that this regal creature is being insulted by a mere child is absurd to him, yet he can't get past his own ego to see he is being out-foxed! I adored everything about this book.

Flossie And The Fox is a story that is absolutly loved by my children, one you will be asked to read again and agian. When flosie is asked to run an errand for her grandmother, the curios girl runs into a fox on her way, yet not the typical fox. In order to keep her eggs from being eaten she must keep the fox's mind of those eggs. Through her journey in the woods she is able to use her qaint childlike cleverness to entertain the foxes ego. Great story! Brilliant plot! Should be made into a movie! Exellent anti bias story as well, flossie speaks as a young african american girl would growing up in the country in Tennese, The fox uses proper Engish, and the narrator uses the language of the day. Highly recomended!

This book was a wonderful look on the inside of a designers life! It made me aware of how much politics there is in a University, and how much Archie Boston did for Graphis Designers in general. From reading this book he has truly made me realize what a master he is in what he treaches. Not only does he teach it well, but he loves to teach it and it really shows.

I personaly thought that "Fly in the Buttermilk" was a great inside story of a great designer and professor. It was intersting to find out how he got where he is now, and all that he has done as a designer, aswell as the head of the Graphic Design Department in CSULB. At times when you think that some teachers are not on your side, you really have not met Professor Boston. He has done so much for the department that you really get the feel of how passionate he is with Graphic Design, and how valuable it is for him to teach it.

Mr. Boston's colloquial style is at once engaging and poignant...
True to his nature, he holds nothing back: his triumphs, disappointments
and even embarassing moments are recounted with wit and humor.

Mr. Boston deserves his role as pioneer: not only as a Black man,
but also as Chronicler of a crucial moment in Advertising where Social Consciousness
married Visual Communications and laid the foundation
for activism today. Too often Graphic Design literature focuses on the work, and by inference on the client, and not enough on
the people behind the work...

Read it this winter break and it was well worth my time. I picked the book up with the intent of reading a few pages and was just sucked in. It informed me a "white boy" from the burbs on life from a different perspective. The book showcases classic and award winning graphic design projects. Also has plenty of motivational ammunition for YOU to do good and succeed in life and in graphic design.

I say two thumbs up.

When my book arrived, I had the intent of reading just a few pages, I had to force myself to put it down over halfway through just so I could get some work done. I easily finished it in the first available moment I had. This book will take you on a journey through the life of Old Skool Archie Boston, and the moments that shaped his career and work. Also included is his ... portfolio that puts polital-correctness in it's place. Motivational, tragic, humorous and historical- this book is recommended for designers, advertisers and design educators alike. Buy this book today.

Two reasons might put one off from reading Frederick Douglass's autobiographies: (1)Douglass's life was so admirable and heroic that they are likely to contain more virtue than interest; and (2) there are so doggone many of them (after all, "autobiographies" ?! three of them?!). Don't let this happen. First, Douglass is a very good writer -- he's funny, he's earthy, he's smart, and his attitudes are surprisingly contemporary. It's almost as if your Democratic neighbor (although Douglass was a stalwart Republican -- those were the days) were to visit 19th century America and report back on what he saw. Second, reading his autobiographies seriatim allows you to see Douglass's life as he lived it: one sees how his own views of his past changed over time, and one comes to appreciate the unbelievably dramatic developments contained in the later autobiographies(I don't want to give them away). That said, three (count 'em 3!) autobiographies are a little much and, in retrospect, I would skip the second one, but do not, under any circumstances, skip the third one. Finally, the notes to the Library of America editions are really, really, really unhelpful. There aren't enough of them, and so the reader has no idea of the significance of some of the events Douglass refers to. Bottom line: Buy it used. Read it now.

- As an author myself, I recommend that you purchase this book for personal study. "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" is a fascinating book and video that helped me understand one of my relatives.
Author. "Knowledge For Tomorrow" Quinton Douglass Crawford

Once you read Douglass's narrative, you will be surprised that Douglass learned enough to be able to write the first narrative written by an uneducated slave. This is one of the most moving narratives you can read -- I challenge any reader to read this and not understand the irony of the white people supressing black people's accomplishments for hundreds of years. The story of Fredrick Douglas in inspiring on many different levels. Once you read it, any reader will understand why this is mandatory reading in any American literature course. It is impossible to understand life after the Civil War without reading this moving, touching novel about how a slave learned how to read and write. Douglass's autobiography is a great literary achievement which should be savored by all who read it both as a historical and literary document.

Frederick Douglass (1818?-1895) was the greatest African American leader of the Nineteenth Century. He was born a slave on the Eastern Shore in Maryland and grew up on plantations on the Eastern Shore with several years in Baltimore. He was a physically powerful, highly intelligent, and spirited youth and developed quickly a hatred of the slave system. As a slave, he taught himself to read and write, and learned the art of public speaking from the church and from a book of orations popular at the time that feel into his hands. He escaped from slavery at the age of 20 and moved to New Bedford,Massachusetts. He became part of the Abolitionist Movement and achieved fame as a public speaker. He became a newspaper editor and writer. During the Civil War, he assisted in the recuritment of black troops. He met President Lincoln on several occasions and became a great admirer. In later years, Douglass was aligned with the conservative "stalwart" wing of the Republican party and continued to speak out for the rights of African-Americans, to oppose (somewhat belatedly) the end of Reconstruction, and to work for the life of the spirit and the mind.

Frederick Douglass wrote three autobiographies which are given in this volume. The first, shortest, and best was written in 1845, seven years after Douglass had escaped from slavery. It tells in graphic and unforgettable terms the story of Douglass' life as a slave, the growth of the spirit of freedom in himself. and the early part of his life as a free man in New Bedford.

The second autobiography was written in 1855. It repeats much of the earlier story and describes Douglass's visit to Great Britain. A higlight of this volume is the Appendix in which Douglass gives the reader excerpts from several of his speeches, including his perhaps most famous speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July."

Douglass wrote his third autobiography in 1888 and edited it substantially in 1893. It describes Douglass's relationship with Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. I also enjoyed the section of the book in which Douglass describes his trip to England, Italy, and Egypt near the end of his life. It is highly intelligent, perceptive and reflective travel writing. There are also excerpts in this final autobiography from Douglass's speeches and letters.

The most striking incident in all three volumes is Douglass's story of how he stood up for himself and became in his own eyes a man of dignity and courage. Douglass had been sent for a year to live with a small farmer named Covey who had a reputation for breaking the sprit of strong-willed slaves. Covey whipped Douglass unmercifully for the first six months. Then, after a whipping which left Douglass scared and weak for several days (he ran back to his old master who ordered him back to Covey) Douglass fought back. Covey attempted to whip Douglass and Douglass resisted. The two men fought hand-to-hand for hours. Douglass could not assume the offensive in the fight (it was enough to resist at all) but more than held his ground and had the better of it. Covey at last walked off and never whipped Douglass again. This incident is strikingly told in each autobiography and marks the moment when Douglass showed he could stand up for himself and not have the spirit of a slave. It is inspiring and it grounded his actions for the rest of his life.

There is much in these books that transcends the resistance against American slavery, utterly important as that is. We have, as I have tried to explain, in this book the voice of personal freedom and self-determination which is something every person must learn and undestand for him or herself in deciding how to live. In addition,I get the impression that as Douglass aged he became increasingly committed to the life of the mind and the spirit. This is apparent from his writing and from his interest in travel, in European high culture, art, literature, and music. Douglass learned the meaning for freedom. He tried to devote himself to matters of the spirit in addition to his lifelong quest to improve the lot of the former slave. I think there is still a great deal to be learned here.

Douglass had much to say about the nature of American freedom and democracy. He loved and had faith in them, in spite of the horrible stain of slavery. Here is a wonderful observation from the third autobiography in which Douglass' describes his activities during the Presidential campaign of 1888.

"I left the discussion of the tariff to my young friend Morris, while I spoke for justice and humanity....I took it to be the vital and animating principle of the Republican party. I found the people more courageous than their party leaders. What the leaders were afraid to teach, the people were brave enough and glad enough to learn. I held that the soul of the nation was in this question, and that the gain of all the gold in the world would not compensate for the loss of the nation's soul. National honor is the soul of the nation, and when this is lost all is lost. ... As with an individual, so too with a nation, there is a time when it may properly be asked "What doth it profit to gain the whole world and therby lose one's soul?"

There is a spirit and a wisdom in Douglass that still has much to teach.

As a man of the Nineteenth Century, Douglass tells us little in his autobiographies of his personal life. Upon his escape from slavery, Douglass married a free, uneducated black woman. Upon her death, Douglass married a white woman, which (as we see briefly in the book) caused shock among American whites and blacks alike. We also see little of Douglass' relationship to his children. The reader who would like to learn more about Douglass' personal life needs to read a biography, such as William McFeeley's "Frederick Douglass" (1891)

Douglass' autobiographies are are precious work of American literature and a testimony to the free human spirit.

This account of Frederick Douglass'
life and time by Henry Louis Gates
is the personifaction of Excellence
in Achievement through the Human Spirit.
In spite of the hardships of slavery, Frederick Douglass continued his fight for freedom. His dynamic oratory and leadership helped him to move barriers for all people. This self educated man rose to great prominence to serve as a testament to the world that if you have courage, persistence and faith in God, you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. He knew the power of education and the spoken and written word, which is manifested in his creating the NorthStar newspaper to communicate to others. Of course you have to have mortal men who believe in you and your abilities.

I believe that Mr. Gates captures this strength, this conviction and the essence of Mr. Douglass' spirit and his commitment to make a better life for himself and others like him. His dynamic use of the language allows you to feel conviction and essence of Mr. Douglass' concern. It was like listening to Mr. Douglass speak to me through those pages.

I found this book very intriguing and educational. It has something for the world to learn from.

Thanks to Mr. Gates and others for bringing this great American (World) hero to the forefront. We need to know and share in the histor and spiriti of this great man. By the way I was named after Frederick Douglass. I strive to be like him as much as I can. I am still working on my oratory!

THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL, ITS SHOCKING, AND IT IS ASPIRING. THERE IS NOTHING ON CHANNEL 11 THAT BRINGS THE HONEST, INSIGHTFUL, VERY REAL ACCOUNT THAT MR.DOUGLASS DOES IN HIS BOOK. FROM SLAVE TO FREE-MAN, THIS IS TRUELY AN AMERICAN SUCCESS. SKIP THE INTRO, AND JUMP INTO IT.

Douglass's second, and lengthier, narrative fills in many of the gaps left in his first autobiography: we learn about his mother, his siblings, and more details about his psychological transformation from brute to man. It's quite insightful, as Douglass is careful to relate each of his personal experiences to the innate evil of the peculiar instituition, for both the slave and the slave holder.

What are your impressions of Frederick Douglass? What would you say about Douglass observation that "conscience cannot stand much violence? Do you think it was possible to be a good slave owner?Why or why not? Why does Douglass view slaveholders as well as slaves as victims of slavery? Why is education incompatible with slavery? Why do you think the white children's attitude toward slavery is different from that of their parents? How would you describe Douglass attitude towards Mrs. Auld?

Having read a biography of Douglass many years ago, I thought I knew his story. Hearing through his pen was an entirely different matter. What a master of the language and insighful set of observations on human nature.

I am a man of many words, but words fail me in my endorsement of this book. The letter to his former master in the appendix is worth the price of the book by itself.

Standing in line at the Lincoln Memorial, a book beckoned to me that I previously hadn't seen before. The face of Frederick Douglas grabbed my attention; a man that I've respected for many years, encountering him mainly through my study of Abraham Lincoln. On the spur of the moment, I snatched up a copy of "My Bondage and My Freedom", and within a few days, my admiration in Frederick Douglass was transformed from interest to awe.

Frederick Douglass orginially penned his book as a response to people's accusations that someone as articulate and composed as he couldn't possibly be a former slave. With that goal in mind, Douglass wrote his memoirs, in a straight forward, powerful way. In the book, he painfully and honestly documents the path his early life took; the memories of being owned, how slaves coped during these times, and how he managed to pull himself out of it all.

While Douglass' life in itself is amazing, (as he describes the amazing process he undertook to learn how to read), what amazed me even more are Douglass' discourses that he sprinkles through the book, discussing relevant issues during the time. In one instance, he addresses the concern about why slaves simply didn't run away from their oppressive situations. It's almost as if you can actually hear the people talking to Douglass and he responding to them.

This book does not only tell the tale of a truly amazing American, but gives us a unique insight to the times. This book should be required reading in every high school in this country.

In the past ten years or so we've witnessed staged "revolutions" - Orange, Green, Rose, etc. - funded around the globe by Western NGOs, toppling the chosen tyrant and installing the pro-Western liberal reformer of the moment. When it came to democratic movements within the USA, of course, the enthusiasm at home was markedly lacking.

Thus, before the age of NED or Freedom House, those who challenged entrenched tyranny in America faced real risk to life and limb, with only scattered support from the media and none from either the State Department or NGO clones. Such were the Freedom Riders, who were armed with naught but the courage of their ideals, as they embarked cross-country for the lion's den to stick their heads in his jaws.

That they ultimately prevailed is a commendation of the "American Way"; but they did so only after considerable risk, repression, and one-sided bloodshed. The "flowering of democracy" in the American South was fertilized not by the blood of tyrants but those seeking freedom. Would that such cheap imitators in Serbia, Ukraine or Lebanon - basking in Western funding and media cheerleading - have had to endure a tenth of what these brave people had to risk in the US itself.

I heard Mr. Arsenault speak recently and his love of this subject came through. I highly recommend this book.

This is an unqualified masterpiece treatment of an epic civil rights story. Fascinating characters, superb storytelling and a brilliant historian's perspective create a book that will amaze and move you. I read the whole thing in a mountain cabin on a vacation in New Zealand, and have rarely felt so proud to be an American. It is a story of pure guts and glory. Prepare yourself to be absouletly blown away.

As a participant,I can vouch for all material that related to my experiences as a Freedom Rider in the book.The writing accurately descibes the atmosphere and conditions of my experiences in Jackson City Jail and Parchman Prison Farm's maximum security unit.I was amazed by the fidelity of the narrative,it was like being transfered back in time!The short but excellent telling of the Monroe Freedom Rider Project with Robert Williams in North Carolina was enlightning for me as a participant because of the dramatic events of that disastorous Sunday.I was one of five riders not on the picket line and never heard of the experiences of those arrested downtown.I cannot recommend this book more highly for anyone interested in the civil rights movement. It should be read by anyone who is politically active in order to understand the complexity of social movements and the responsibilty of the participant to their cause and the people they are attempting to help.
We shall overcome!

The perfect follow up to "America in the King Years," (by
Taylor Branch) Arsenault focuses in on the single most important, ground breaking, and personally dangerous aspect of the civil rights movement.

This is a gripping story, and reads like a thriller. Truly, this is contemporary history that you can't put down.