African Books

This a great book. I purchased it because I met Burton Barr in person and wanted to hear his story. The seller of this book sent it very fast and at a cheap price. I would buy from him again.

In this no holds barred narrative Burton Barr bares his soul in hopes that the reader will be spared some of the heart ache he experienced and caused others. He writes in an intimate conversational style that draws the reader into his life as he shares his testimony. For over twenty years Burton struggled with the results of his bad choices.

Like the prodigal son of the scriptures Burton remembered his (heavenly) father's love and the call of God on his life. He again responded to that call. His life has turned around. Instead of pursuing a life of drug abuse and drug dealing he is now heading up a ministry to prisoners.

Hoodlum preacher is the story of Burton Barr's full circle from the call to preach as a child, a period of rebellion, restitution, and reunion. This is a book for the person in the street or in the pew. It warns of the danger of Satan's snares in contrast with the message of God's love, His grace, sufficiency, and peace.

This book was awesome and inspiring. It is 100% real and through it all your just like whoa how many times can one person get locked up!! A wonderful story of how God has to break up down to build us up in his image!

For fellow readers who love a little bit of action and intrigue combined with a spiritual uplifting at the end, this book is for you.
Full of pain and anguish, The Hoodlum Preacher, is a story of a journey of a young man who was able to change his life, his way of thinking, and eventually, his salvation. Rev. Burton essentially became a real-life "Prodigal Son".
I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with anything and who wants to find a better way of life. This book is also good for anyone who just wants to read a good book. :)

Burton Barr, Jr. felt he had been called to preach at the tender age of nine. He preached to a captive audience, his little brother, Ralph. His mother told him he'd have to wait for God's calling but he continued to practice his sermons. As a teenager, he joined the church and actually begins to preach. Then things took a strange turn and he began to drink, smoke marijuana and cigarettes. Not too much later, he began trying cocaine, heroin, PCP, crack and whatever else he could get his hands on. He stole from his employers, wrote bad checks and conned his relatives which resulted in numerous arrests. In an attempt to turn his life around, he joined the Marines but continued his behavior of stealing, conning and drugging. The Marines sent him to the brig and eventually to Leavenworth. On many occasions, he attempted to get clean, get his marriage back on tract and keep a good job but each time he met with failure. At last, on one of his stints in prison, he met a preacher who had that certain "something" that he couldn't put his finger on and as a result Burton Barr, Jr. began to see the light.

THE HOODLUM PREACHER is the amazing story of one man's descent into the hell of the drug world and his ultimate redemption at the hands of God. The lessons he learned are good for all of us. Even if we aren't guilty of Burton's vices, we have all done something that is not right. Barr lets us know God can see good in us and we can be saved from ourselves. Barr does all this without being preachy or overbearing. It is a very good book and so very uplifting. I enjoyed every word, even as I cringed when Barr sank back into his abyss. It is well worth picking up.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I read this book for my English project and it was very good! Very moving and it helped me understand the Great Depression and all the racism that black people had to go through....
Maya Angelou is a great writer, and this book was excellent!

Very interesting, I RECOMMEND IT!

I thought that this was a great book! Maya had a very difficult life growing up. I just could not figure out what she really wanted with her life.

Read the complete novel. The Cliff notes only offers a small portion of the love and enjoyment you will feel from this author's words.

Maya Angelou's written language is alive, and that's refreshing. There is a specific life-view from the standpoint of a black girl growing up, and it is uplifting how she meets her difficulties with confidence. Her humor in many situations made me laugh out loud. Yes, she is a gripping author, and the tidbits of wisdom shine through like rays of sunlight...

We had to read this novel by Maya Angelou and I thought it was a very good example of the way you should write. She used imagery and descriptives to show you,the reader, how it really was in her life. I LOVED IT !!!

Since I, too, am from Portland, OR, I enjoyed this story even more, and I loved the illustrations.

In January I had the wonderful experience of living with a family in a village about one hour south of Bamako, Mali. When I returned I happened to see this book featured on Reading Rainbow and knew I needed to have it. It totally captures the feel of life in a family compound - how you are greeted by everyone, meal time, brushing teeth, time together in the evening, and the beautiful clothing that the women wore. And of course the charming story of what happens when a child loses a tooth in Mali is great - and true. If you have been to Mali you will love it because it captures the spirit of Mali, and if you haven't it will give you a glimpse of live in Mali.

I highly recommend this book for K-2 grades, because they are losing all their baby teeth during that time. I really enjoyed watching my students of all cultural backgrounds relate to the African/African-American girl in this story. The pictures are also wonderfully vibrant!
I'm an Elementary Art teacher, and I read this book to my 1st graders during an African art and culture unit. It helped them to imagine that they were traveling to Africa just as the little girl in the story does. It is also a great introduction about how different cultures do things in different ways! In this story, the tooth fairy brings a chicken instead of money!
My students also really appreciated that this book was originally written by an 8 year old girl, and later illustrated by her Dad. There is a picture of them in the back of the book, and my kids loved seeing the faces responsible for writing and illustrating the book!

The book challenges children to consider that losing teeth occurs in the life of all children around the world, but moves them beyond the notion of the "Tooth Fairy" practices of western culture. The story is the account of one little girl who travels to visit her extended family in Africa and loses her tooth while there. Her grandmother models the family's practice of putting a lost tooth under a gourd. Instead of coins, she finds her tooth is replaced with a hen and rooster, which proves to be eventful throughout her time in Africa.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa, is a charming story of a young girl from Portland, Oregon who visits her family in Mali, Africa. There, she loses her loose tooth and receives a special present from the "African tooth fairy." The text paints a vivid description of not only the way things look in Mali, but also of the way people live there. The story, which includes some words in Bambara, the native language of that region, is rich with African culture. At the back of the book is a glossary of Bambara words, as well as the words to an African Goodnight Song, and a recipe for African Onion Sauce.

The text is beautifully complimented by ceramic-tile illustrations done by award-winning artist Baba Wague Diakite, who happens to be the fourteen-year-old author's father. Reading the book, I would have never guessed that the author was a teenager. She did a very fine job. I hope that we will be seeing more stories by this truly talented duo.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa is an excellent way to introduce children, ages 4-8, to African culture. My five-year-old daughter enjoyed the book. I think other kids will enjoy it too.

Kasey Pipes does a tremendous job of bringing Eisenhower's previously scarcely commented on struggles with the changing climate of America's Civil Rights to light in a very genuine manner. The book is incredibly readable and very informative.

Pipes is able to present facts with a human touch that brings the reader into Eisenhower's inner circle, as if they were a fly on the wall in some of Ike's most pivotal and telling situations.

Ike's Final Battle
by Kasey Pipes

Mr. Pipes has written a thoroughly enjoyable and well written record of Dwight Eisenhower's approach to civil rights legislation and his exegesis of perspective in the civil rights arena. Pipes chronicles Eisenhower's internal struggles with desegregation of the military and government agencies and his fear that a revolutionary, rather than evolutionary, approach to liberty for all Americans could cause more harm than good. This is a positive revisionist history to some degree; clearly evidencing Ike's intent on aiding the plight of minorities in the US while battling the prejudices that he came of age accepting and being immersed in for the whole of his military career. Ike's slow methodical approach to all matters of civil rights is clearly on display, as was his approach to all difficult decision making. However, his unflinching adherence to the laws of our land clearly stand out. Desegregation is ordered in Little Rock, AR and local politicians refuse to accept the Supreme Court decision, Ike does not hesitate in the least. After exhausting all diplomatic efforts he clearly takes charge of the situation and sends in the 101st Airborne to aide with the enforcement of recently enacted laws. No regrets on Ike's part, no compromising his beliefs - the law is being broken and he immediately, without hesitation asserts control - in the process paving the way for desegregation enforcement to take hold throughout the land.

This is an extremely brisk read that you'll find difficult to get away from. No fluff, solid documentation and previously uncovered oral histories make this a treasure trove of new insight into Ike's personality and genuine concern over civil rights matters. Eisenhower was often derided for his lack of leadership on civil rights, an argument which merits legitimacy, however we're shown a different side in 'Final Battle' which show he was more progressive than many thought - in fact on some occasions, more progressive than the NAACP - then a truly dedicated organization and true standard bearer of civil rights advancement.

Definitely check this book out - it's worth the time and money!

Written by former Bush White House worker Kasey S. Pipes, Ike's Final Battle: the Road to Little Rock and the Challenge of Equality is the amazing and unlikely true story of how Dwight D. Eisenhower became a civil rights president. Chronicling the landmark desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, which forced a historical confrontation between state and federal authorities and set an engraved precedent that the federal government would intervene for the sake of racial justice if necessary, Ike's Final Battle meticulously recounts events in unfolding detail, with an inset section of black-and-white photographic plates. An extensive bibliography, notes, and an index round out this welcome addition to American history shelves.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It tells President Eisenhower's story very well, and it kept my interest throughout the narrative.

Pipes' thesis, that Eisenhower went through a significant "struggle within himself" about his belief in civil rights (requiring significant social change) and majority rule (which did not support significant social change at that time), is also well argued. I especially appreciate the honesty in which the author tells Ike's story, including his strengths and weaknesses.

Also, Pipes does an excellent job of noting the number of significant Republican policy makers who were strong advocates of civil rights legislation during the 1950s and 1960s.

While I think everyone will benefit from reading this book, it especially should be read by all Republican office holders and candidates, today.

This book is a fast 300 pg. narrative on Eisenhower's nuanced positions regarding civil rights. The nuance is not whether equal rights for African Americans were right vs. wrong, but instead Eisenhower's struggle on how best to protect the rights of these Americans against the prejudice of southern conservatives who controlled the southern states and the relevant committees of the Senate.

Pipes begins with Eisenhower's experiences and contributions to the cause of equal rights in the military and ends in his retirement, with the climax happening 2/3 of the way through the book when Ike sends federal troops to Little Rock, AK to defend the right of African American students to attend a whites-only public school in spite of a bigoted governor who sends the national guard to keep them out. The book finishes with reflections on his contributions looking back from the time of Kennedy and LBJ moving the ball forward even further.

Pipes provides an incredibly fair report on President Eisenhower's policy positions and actions given the frequent opaqueness of his position depending on the situation and the company he was keeping. Many have attempted to paint Ike as a racist political opportunist or a courageous leader of the civil rights movement, with both positions given to hyperbole. Instead, Pipes portrays a man who respects majoritarian positions while realizing in his heart the wrongness of institutionalized bigotry even though Eisenhower, a man of his time, shares some prejudicial beliefs. The struggle for Eisenhower is often how to move the majority to his position without his having to depend on fiery rhetoric to change hearts and minds.

While Eisenhower was never a die-hard politico, he left the GOP with a wonderful legacy inherent in republicanism as a form of government instituted in 1787. Reading this book in 2007 shows how far the current majority of Republicans have mutated away from the principles of republicanism and Eisenhower, mostly due to the Southern Conservative Democrats who emigrated to the GOP after LBJ led the Democratic party into passing the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts.

Pipes' only flaw in the book, so minor it's not worth knocking down a star, is a weak-hearted attempt to define Eisenhower as a conservative even though all empirical evidence in the book and other studies on Eisenhower provide ample evidence that he was a moderate who "got it" regarding our founding ideal of republicanism that holds that government is obligated to defend our individual liberty rights. The examples of Eisenhower's actions in the book are a case study in republicanism, not conservatism, where Ike closely follows the examples of previous Republican presidents who used federal power to protect individual and minority rights (e.g., Madison, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt). Conservatives by definition abhor using federal power to protect individual rights, they instead promote the ideal of "state rights" in hopes the process of "democratic conservatism" at the state level will "protect the will of the people", i.e., conservatives want to employ simple majorities leveraging state power to deny individuals and minority groups equal rights and protections.

If you are over 60 and did not self-educate on slavery,you need to read this book. Believe me, slavery was a barely mentioned topic in elementary school through college. I know this is true for Blacks in the South and probably is true for other races as well.

This book is a must read for those non-academics who want to have a better understanding of slavery in America and the Americas. The sexual exploitation and psychological impact of slavery is generally known. This book, however, allows one to get the full picture of slavery from a global, economic and political perspective. There is nothing better for a painful subject like this than finding a reliable (well documented) and easy to read source by a respected author.

A great gift for your friends, no matter what race!

In under 350 pages, David Brion Davis presents a wealth of information for those exploring the history of slavery for the first time or for readers seeking additional information to supplement past books and articles.

Unfortunately, it reads like a choppy college lecture, with the flow of material marred oftentimes by the circular exploration of material. A topic may be introduced, then discussed in depth later and then reintroduced for concluding remarks many pages later.

Davis utilizes numerous resources from contemporary historians and it is appreciated that he introduces the author and the work to the reader while quoting from the material.

Inhuman Bondage is an important work in the growing number of books covering the sordid past that has been "conveniently" ignored or flippantly tossed aside in past historical writings.

By coming to terms with the past and acknowledging the damage it has done is the only way the words from Davis and others will truly have full meaning.

This book contributes to recent studies on slavery in Brazil and the French west indies, a wide study ot Slavery in the new world, explainings its origins, terrors, history and final liberations and conflicts. One wonders however how much the subjects needs a companion on Slavery in the Old World, and why there is no discussion of how pre-European enslavement of Africans by Arabs led to the formation of slave empires in Zanzibar and west africa that fueled the European slave trade. Imainge if these scholars dared to prick the bubble and reveal the fact that Slavery did not originate among Europeans and tha tin fact a study must be done on the rise and fall of slavery in the old world.

Seth J. Frantzman

This is an altogether splendid book. It is skillfully written such that it is difficult to put down; the notes are voluminous, the maps helpful, the range of information brought together and organized successfully impressive, the opinions of the author clearly expressed, and acknowledgement and credit to other historians generous. Despite this, one does wonder for whom the book was written, surely not the hypothetical general reader. Much more information than the lawyerly standard of what everyone knows is frequently called for. To give just one example, on pp. 265-66, a free black is shown worrying about the effects on him of the Fugitive Slave Law. One drops immediately to how Anthony Burns was hauled through the streets of Boston on his way to Virginia. Is one to infer that Burns was a free black erroneously seized or an escaped slave? And although Davis details how important the religious motivation was in abolitionist thought, nowhere was there any explanation of how this Biblically based thinking, which at this time was largely literal, coped with or was able to get around the clear Biblical acceptance of slavery. And one could wish, particularly in view of their extent and comprehension of various aspects of the subject, that the citations in the notes had been compiled into a bibliography. Nevertheless, I would recommend to anyone who is at all interested in slavery, the Civil War, racism, and a host of associated topics, that they do themselves a favour and read Inhuman Bondage.

Readers of "Inhuman Bondage" have the privilege of entering the mind of one of the greatest living scholars of American slavery. In what truly may be his opus, Dr. David Brion Davis writes not simply a book, but composes a symphony. Like all great composers, Davis blends seemingly disparate notes into beautiful harmony.

Wide-ranging, even sprawling in coverage, Davis tells the epic story of the inhuman bondage of human enslavement. Laying the foundation with a captivating and accurate portrayal of the history and philosophy of ancient slavery, the author then moves into the modern era of slavery, first in the "New World" then in America more specifically.

"Inhuman Bondage" masterfully weaves together these larger socio-political realities with the very specific psychological realities of groups (such as the Amistad) and individuals. The clear message resonates: even inhuman treatment cannot dehumanize the human soul. In their rebellion (sometimes overt, other times, by necessity, covert and even internal), enslaved African Americans displayed their full humanity.

For a brilliantly written, in-depth, comprehensive, captivating narrative of new world slavery, look no further than "Inhuman Bondage."

Reviewer: Robert W. 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.

The women of the Best household, use their skills to earn money while the men are away. Belle works as a seamstress in the area. "Jojo" Best, the pesky little sister of the earlier novel (Belle and the Beau) has become into Miss Josephine Best. She has completed her studies at Oberlin. She has continued her interest in hairdressing and has established a local shop.
The Bests also are doing their part to support the war effort. They are part of the Free Produce Movement and boycott all goods made by slave labor. Mrs. Best is a much sought after speaker for abolitionist causes. And, like their neighbors, they offer support to wounded soldiers and veterans. They read and write letters to and from loved ones. They entertain the men by playing musical instruments and reciting poetry. They also offer smiles and listening ears.

It is during the weekly after-church visits to the soldiers that Josephine catches the eye of George Brooks. He begins to pursue her and she is flattered by the attention. Later, Adam Morgan, a friend of Jo's brother, returns wounded from the war. He, too, is attracted to Josephine. He is also conflicted by his ongoing relationship with the Best family as Daniel's best friend and his feeling for the new JoJo. The question is who will she choose? The family friend who doesn't try to tame her, or the new soldier that treats her like a lady?

Frequent readers of romance and avid Beverly Jenkins readers might find it a bit predictable. But it's targeted for a younger age I believe. It is still a sweet book.

This book is a great story and is somewhat a secondary book to Belle and the Beau.

The leading character in this story is Josephine Best, Daniel younger sister, and is very set in her goals. She owns a hairstyling shop, been to college, and is dating George Brooks who is passive and not really her type.

Then she meets Adam Morgan, Daniel's friend from way back, who is famous for his charm with the ladies. Jojo knows that she can't get caught up in that... but somehow she just cant help it. She tries to resist Adam. But does it work? Do these two who seem destined to be together work it out? Or does this romance fall apart?

I highly recommend this to anyone who love historical romance... definatly a five star book!!

JoJo, as she is affectionately called, is quite the accomplished lady of color. Despite slavery alive and well in the south and the Civil War raging, Josephine Best at age seventeen has finished Oberlin College and now owns her own beauty salon in Michigan. Her best friend is engaged and other girls preen and tweeter over young men, but she has much bigger plans like marketing her own hair products. Everything would be fine in her life except she misses her beloved father and brother, Daniel, both who are away fighting for the Union. But it is important JoJo keep her spirits up for the sake of her mother and her sister-in-law Belle, Daniel's wife, who desperately miss their husbands.

George Brooks is a soldier among a group of other wounded soldiers staying at a local boarding home. He is nice enough but then another soldier enters the picture. Adam Morgan was JoJo's brother's best friend and as she remembers quite the scoundrel. Adam, his brother and Daniel used to tease JoJo unmercifully and bestowed upon her the nickname "Pest". But what Adam sees now is a lovely blossom; beautiful to behold. JoJo is wary of his flowery words; as a matter of fact, she remembers him adept at charming the ladies, "picking flowers from the field". JoJo is not up to being one of his conquests and resists his advances. Besides, George is a respectable suitor, even if he does have issues about women being independent.

This was such an enjoyable story. We met JoJo in The Belle and the Beau and this spitfire's story was begging to be told. As always in Jenkins' stories, readers are graced with not only superb storytelling and colorful, engaging characters, but an enjoyable lesson in Black History. We get to see black people, who were free and living well despite slavery that showed compassion for their enslaved brothers and sisters and gave of themselves. The abolitionist and women's movements are featured prominently and give positive, believable evidence that black people were vital parts of these historical actions. This series is equally satisfying for adults as well as teens. I can hardly wait for the next installment.

Dera R. Williams
APOOO BookClub

I am an avid reader of all of Beverly Jenkins books, but I almost skipped this one because I thought it would be to childish. Well, I was happily surprised. The story of Jo and Adam is very sweet and made me remember a time when I was just seventeen and falling in love for the first time. The story is full of humor, romance, history, and just a little touch of danger. I especially liked Jo's friend Trudy. I knew a girl just like that in high school!

Readers of Ms. Jenkins other books will be able to sense the same style of writing throughout. The leading lady (Jo) is headstrong and not willing to be a traditional woman who is meek and bidable and just waiting for marriage. The leading man (Adam) is just way too handsome for his own good and is used to women falling all over themselves just to be with him. Sound familiar???? The story also takes place in Whittaker where the book Indigo is set. Bea makes an appearance in the storyline.

I was also able to locate a copy of Belle and the Beau so I'll read that one also. So glad I didn't skip this wonderful story.

i love this book. i originally checked it out at the library after weeks of anticipation. i read it in one day! a few weeks later i bought it! its that good!

Three young kids--Julian, his little brother Huey, and best friend Gloria, look through the Most-Wanted posters at the post office. They decide they'd like to investigate crimes and criminals. Later, in a parking lot, they see a dog locked in a hot car. A passerby says, "That's a crime!" and they know their calling has begun. Afterwards, they rescue a lost toddler from playing too near a water fountain. This story is too funny because the kids are so innocent: they go to a bar to look for crime, and are spotted by someone who knows their dad. Oh, boy, are they in trouble now! Next, a young man working in a fast food shop matches the description on a Most Wanted poster. They go to the police chief, who in turn, asks them for help in identifying this possible criminal, who turns out to be the chief's son! This delightful story is well-written, realistic and interesting, and depicts characters still in the wonderful freshness of youth. A beginning chapter book for hungry early readers, Diane Allison's illustrations help depict the African-American neighborhood, such as a scene in the park under the MLK statue.

Julian, Secret Agent was written by Ann Cameron. The main characters are Julian, Huey, and Gloria. They are all in the city. They are trying to find a criminal! I liked the book. You should read it!

I enjoyed reading this book because the illustrations are funny. The funny parts made me laugh so hard my stomach ached. I will tell a friend to read this book if they want a good laugh.

I enjoyed this book because it was very exciting. The author used vocabulary that was easy for me to understand. The illustrations were very detailed and matched the text. I recommend reading this book.

The story Julian Secret Agent is one of my favorite books because I love books with a little mystery. I can look at the silly illustration in this story and laugh for days. We are finishing our unit on realistic fiction books and this book was a pleasure to read.

I must say I agree with the reviewer who said this book deserves more than 5 stars. The illustrations are gorgeous! I have read this book so many times that I am on my third copy. All my students, grades K through 3 have loved this book. It's a great book to talk about prediction since many boys and girls know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. They like finding out these bears are friendly and kind. The illustrations by Melodye Benson Rosales are just outstanding. The colors she uses are gorgeous. I have my students draw their favorite parts and then we put them together in sequence. The pictures are always so colorful and cheerful (except for those of the dark woods). I can't read it enough I love it so much.

This well-written tale is entertaining and is very much like the original version (Goldie Locks and the Three Bears). The story has a quick beginning. On the first two pages, Leola is shown helping her grandmother with the laundry, and chasing milkweed seeds into the woods. Then all of a suddden, the action begins as she makes her way out of the dark and dangerous woods and heads towards the Honeybears' house. The setting removes the tale from the real world when Leola meets a talking weasel and three talking bears. The main character and the plot are simple and direct. In this tale, the action never slows down, and the events move quickly to a happy ending. The language used is lively and engaging. It keeps to the oral tradition by using a minimum of descriptive words, rich dialogue, and repetitious phrases. Some of the language used by the grandmother has a southern dialect to it (e.g., listen child, folks, mind me). The illustrations are vibrant and they add to the story. The illustrations also help extend the story. For instance, the first two illustrations show a wide-open grassy field, with a small cottage in the middle. This allows the reader to see that Leola and her grandmother live in the country. All the illustrations help depict the events in the story splendidly. After reading this book to my third graders, they made a comparison chart to compare this tale with the original tale. Then they made paper bag puppets to retell the story. This is a must have book. Readers are sure to fall in love with Leola and the beautiful illustrations.

Leola and the Honeybears is a timeless classic recreated to fit the African American world. Leola is a sweet, stubborn little girl who is just waiting for an adventure. But, when Leola wanders off into the Pine Hollow Woods and meets Ol' Mister Weasel, she was in big, big trouble. What seemed to be a little house there to save the day became the house of an angry bear family. And, of course, they were mad at little Leola. What's a girl to do?
I really loved this book. Although it was basically the same story as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Melodye Benson Rosales did a terrific job bringing it into the African American world. Melodye used excellent word choice and showed off the story with beautiful pictures. Leola and the Honeybears is a fantastic children's book and definitely deserves two thumbs way up. I recommend this book for all ages.

I found this book because my name is also Leola. I was so excited to see something that shared my name I had to buy it. The frist thing i noticed apon receiving the book was the beautiful pictures. This will be a book that your children want to read over and over again!

This book is a wonderful addition to your home library whether you have a youngster or not. My 3-year-old daughter actually received this book as a present from her nana and made her read it about 5 times that same evening. It is a delightful re-telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears that you don't mind reading over and over again (as most children insist that you do). The southern flavor and colorful pictures make it a very unique treasure. Not to mention that now the typical blond and blue-eyed Goldilocks is now a bright-eyed, brown-skinned beautiful little girl whom my daughter can better relate to. A definite must have!

I've had this book for several months now and remains to be an excellent source to remind me of who I really am. When I am struggling with negative emotions, I turn to this book and reread the essays. It has never failed to make me feel better. By reading this book, it helps me connect to my spirit which in turn uplifts me. Susan Taylor has some wonderful insights and every time I reread any of the essays, I gain something new. I have recommended her books to so many friends and they love her.

This book CHANGED MY LIFE. I came across this book at a very difficult time in my life. There is such compassion in her words, that can only come from one who has been in the "valley". She takes you through a spiritual guide, a reevaluation of life, and help you to truly value the lessons in the adversities that we face in life. This book is POWERFUL AND SPIRITUALLY UPLIFTING. A revelation!

Reading this book was like having a heart-to-heart talk with a "real" Spiritual friend. Its guidance makes you examine yourself and helps to remove some of the boundaries we allow to be placed on ourselves. Thank you S.Taylor.

This book reveals to its readers how to live with faith in the spirit, as well as how looking to a higher being can help us to transform our lives. She makes note of how we must first recognize what present situations we are in, analyze them through meditation and/or prayer, then we must live in the spirit of power and divinity. Susan taylor is an excellent author whose works motivate, cleanse, relax, revive, and strengthen the inner soul.

This book is so uplifting! I bought it a year ago and I highlighted paragraphs throughout the book, so when I need a little inspiration, I just pull out my book and thumb through. I've read this book twice in it's entirety and dozens of times I've read the highlighted parts. I wish Susan would write more.

I had the great fortune to be one of the contributing authors of this award-winning anthology. Never have I been given such an incredible gift. This picture of the journey of women is inspiring, empowering and endearing. I've read it over many times and whether I am reading about "shoulders" that can take it all or the challenge of raising children, I see myself and applaud my growth. A must read for all women, of all ages.

As a contributor to this powerfully written anthology about the lessons learned from living by women of color, I was not only honored to be a part of this work, but humbled by the raw honesty of each story. The healing nature of each story, brings with it a balm for the broken-hearted and wounded spirit, while allowing those of us who have triumphed "through it all" to celebrate together! "Life's Spices" gives women the permission to speak, to no longer live in silence and to embrace a circle of women that allows us to stand strong.

Sometimes you pick-up a book and wonder from the title if there is really anything inside the cover that will interest you. Such was my experience with a book titled "Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs: A collection of life stories from mature women of color". The title gave me no insight on why a 61-year-old white man might enjoy reading this anthology of stories from women. What a most pleasant surprise awaited me once I opened it and began pouring over the pages and discovering that people are people regardless of gender or race.

Editor Vicki Ward did an excellent job of pulling diverse people and backgrounds into a mix that makes exploring between the covers a real joy. This book is not just for women of color; it is for all readers. I found inspiration from the life experiences shared in this book and feel that wisdom was gained by my reading it. There are not many books that you can say that about any more.

I fully recommend this book for all readers. It gets the American Authors Association's top book rating of FIVE STARS. It also gets my personal recommendation.

LIFE'S SPICES FROM SEASONED SISTAHS, edited by Vicki Ward, is a wonderful collection of short stories, essays, and poems by mature women of all races. The collection is divided into the following themes: Sistahs' Joys and Struggle with Family, Sistahs' Joys...Life's Pain, Love, Humility, and Other Spices that Flavor Relationships, Mothers Use Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, Wisdom..., Seasonings for Self-Esteem, Sistahs' Survivin' and Working It Out, Death Can Be an Awakening, and The Spirit...Always Present.

Within each theme are related stories of joy, pain, happiness, and sorrow. As each woman puts pen to paper to tell their account, as no one else can, you will find them captivating and filled with wisdom. Each poem is also overflowing with strength and weakness and finally some with acceptance of the hand the authors' have been dealt and the power to forge ahead.

The editor has done an outstanding job selecting the contributors to tell their stories along with providing interesting author biographies and resources for women in all States and some provinces. The writing is exemplary and each narrative is distinct. The tantalizing epigraph and forward provide the how and the why. This collection can serve as an excellent gift for a special woman in your life and once read, can serve as a great conversation piece. We are more alike than we believe but at the same time different in our experiences and responses. Nonetheless, women are the corner stone of the world, as these stories will demonstrate.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs, is a collection of stories by different women from all walks of life. From African American, to Asian, to Mexican women, all of the sistahs have a story to tell. Each piece is uplifting, wisdom-filled, and presented with just enough seasoning to add to life's gumbo of joys, sorrows, and heartbreaks.

I found this book to be an excellent read. Each woman shared experiences that helped to mold them into strong, proud and wise women. In most cases, the stories were no longer than two are three pages, but each was packed with lessons to aid the reader in this journey we call life.

If you are into nonfiction and enjoy reading how people triumph over life's snares, you'll love Life's Spices From Seasoned Sistahs.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO BookClub