African Books

True to the topic, it transports you right there. Historical and old, but still current.

Written about a South African farm. this book depicts the story of a family and how they interact throughout the book. The most striking dynamic in the book is the relationships of the women in it. It portrays female existence in a realistic light even for today. The story has a lot of character to it, and I would recommend it highly for teachers who want to teach about feminism.

Although I had to read this book for a college class, I would read it again in a second, I feel that I can only gain more and more from this book through rereadings. Its plot is at times disjointed to the style of the author and the message she is attempting to convey, so for those who are looking for a strongly Dickensian or "feel good" read, this is most likely not the book for you right now. But for me, from an analytical and heartfelt standpoint, the subtlety of the book and its beauty and its truth made me tear up a little bit. I'm currently writing a paper on Waldo and his artistic and personal growth throughout the novel, so maybe I'm a little biased, but although Lyndall is an incredibly interesting and advanced character, I think Waldo is often glossed over as merely suffering from a religious crisis of faith, and, being a man, not deserving of attention in this novel of the "New Woman". But Waldo ultimately reaches a place of amazing peace and understanding, and the lives of Waldo and Lyndall intertwined together is truly beautiful.

I thought this book was one of the best books Ive ever read it describes how people feel and view the world from inside themselves but can never express this externally or even realise they are thinking these things themselves.

For me It depicts how inadequate we all are men and women, when it comes to Love, and expressing it and sharing it. it flumoxes us all, Its too big for us, "the chickens had more sense"....pass the worms please.

"Story of an African Farm" is a difficult work to describe. It must be read several times, and carefully pondered before all of its secrets are unlocked.

Ostensibly, the book revolves around the lives of three children (and, later, adults) who live in the Karroo plains of South Africa. The main focus, however, is on two of the characters - Waldo, the earnest and deeply curious son of the German farmkeeper, and Lyndall, the beautiful, outspoken and rebellious orphan who suffers all her life for her ideals.

The book itself is semi-autobiographical. Waldo represents Schreiner's journey from fanatical, childlike faith to bitter skepticism, who reaches a watershed of sorts when he hisses to Lyndall 'There is no God - none!'. Lyndall, on the other hand, embodies Schreiner's frustation with her station as a woman - barred from the upper echelons of society, and her inability to find a mate who is both her intellectual match and willing to accept her as an equal. "I want to love", she whispers to the grave of Waldo's father, "I want something great and pure to lift me to itself."

There are many other themes that flesh out the subtext of this extraordinary book - the tragedy of solitude, that ultimately, all humans are alone in the cosmos. "Dear eyes", the dying Lyndall whispers to her mirror, "they will never part us."

Readers who expect a narrative will be dissapointed. What narrative there is serves only to undersore the book's many themes. Often, the flow of the story is out of sequence, or devoid of context, and deliberately so. Roughly, the book is divided into three sections - the first introduces us to the characters as children, and reveals their innermost thoughts. The second, and shortest section is entitled "Times and Seasons". It is somewhat of a summary of what has gone before, dealing mostly with Waldo's journey from Christian fanaticism to dispairing atheism, and foreshadows some of what is to come. The third, and longest section, covers the lives of the characters as adults, and is by far the most powerful, and moving piece of the book.

The reader who is looking for mindless action is advised to pick up the latest Tom Clancy novel, or whatever passes for literature these days. Those who are willing to put aside all preconceived notions, and have their cherished beliefs challenged are invited to read this book. The search for truth is endless. But this book is a perfect place to begin.

The reason I could call my review Tight boy and his violin because He was the bomb. I meen like he was the bat boy and he had it good because if you wer at my school C.L.A.S you couldent be no bat boy or a water boy . My school cause it self C.L.A.S because it stands for CULTURE AND LANGUGE ACADEMY OF SUCESES se THE C IS CULTURE AND THE L IS LANGUAGE AND THE A IS ACADEMY AND S IS FOR SUCCES. But yeah some of the other books chek me out like darnell rock reporting or this one oh yeah thats it.

Reginald's father is the manager of a baseball team in the Negro league. Reginald would rather play his violin than anything else. His dad signs him up to be a bat boy. Reginald plays his violin for the team which starts them on a winning streak. Shows insight into world of music impact and Negro ball players.

Reginald's father is the manager of a baseball team in the Negro league. Reginald would rather play his violin than a else. His dad signs him up to be a bat boy. Reginals plays his violin for the team which starts them on a winning streak. Shows insight into world of music impact and Negro ball players.

My son and I absolutely loved the story and illustrations. We can't wait for Gavin Curtis to write his next book, and for E.B. Lewis to illustrate his next book. Continue to keep up the high standards for children's books. We love to read! Reading is one of my most favorite things to share with my son who will be 5 in July. Thank you again to the both of you for a book well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book has so many themes superimposed on one another, but they are all presented within the context of a wonderful story about a boy who just wanted to play his violin.

Set among the context of the Negro League era, Reginald's father decides one summer to make him bat boy for his team. The team is down on its luck, and Reginald's heart isn't in this assignment, but everything comes together for him and the team one day.

The history of the era as gently portrayed in the travels of the players is presented for young readers. The story of being true to yourself, and of parents learning to accept that in their children, is here as well. Above all else, the story of Reginald and his journeys with the ball players is a story of hope and triumph among the community in a time that was not always seen as one of hope. Along with all of this, the illustrations of E. B. Lewis capture these themes beautifully.

Chehade doesn't leave any sacred ground for racism to hide. She bravely contronts racism on every level. I loved her bluntness and her willingness to write about issues that so many people outside of the African American community do not see or want to deal with. She is no joke. People who are in any way interested in solving racism NEED to read this book and find out just exactly what kind of beast we are all living with.

Throughout history dominant races and cultures have imposed their will, way of life, moral and aesthetic standards and even their genes on the conquered and the weaker element in their new territories. Racism is as old as humanity, although it might've been called by a different name. Man's pathological narcissism and quest to become god has engendered in part modern racism. It is fears of the new, fears of the unknown that produce in people fears of other humans that are not familiar to them. Racism helps people regain a sense of pseudo-control over their uncontrollable lives.
Every dominant race and culture has appointed itself as the supreme one, and the rest had to follow. In contrast to the bible, the meek shall not inherit the earth, but shall perish like an insignificant bacillus. Racism like human destructiveness is part of the human character.
Racism is also a great political tool to create divisions among the masses in order to dominate them, in addition, down grading people to sub-human levels justifies their eradication. Ironically, racial purity is a pure myth that has been engendered and propagated by shrewd political leaders and elites to advance their political agenda. Humanity has been interbreeding for centuries and the idea that one race is purer or superior to another is ludicrous, but works well politically. Let's not forget the recent single origin hypothesis which states that anatomically all modern humans evolved in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. The illusion of belonging to a superior group helps compensate for the person who feels like a bacillus, and in lieu the group membership leads him to feel like a giant by appealing to his or her narcissistic prejudices. Group narcissism is key factor in racism. It is fueled and perpetuated by politicians. Racism and fear go hand in hand. Fear is a primitive feeling that incapacitates and renders people impotent. It is a natural response for self-preservation. By connecting fear to racism and artificially inducing it in people, weakens the masses, manufactures consent, and makes racism a mechanism of pseudo-self-preservation. Unfortunately, racism is here to stay! It will only cease to exist when humanity self-annihilate and totally perish!
Chehade has written a delightful book about racism based on her own perceptions and experiences. Her book is thought provoking, sensitive, intelligent, and interesting.
Chehade has done a great deed in openly discussing a critical issue like racism that has engulfed every society. She confronts our denial about its existence, and urges us for self-awareness and for change.
Chehade is livid about the condition and the hypocrisy of the human race. She addresses the political issues that has plagued and maintained the status quo of racism. Her essay is idealistic, uplifting as well as frightening, because it exposes the dark side of humanity.
She also discusses the identity crisis that immigrants face by latching to whiteness and distancing from blackness. However, this survival process which Chehade has bitterly criticized is a natural element that every new population that is introduced into a new environment would have to face. The idea that immigrants identify with the dominant culture is not new, whether it is Poles, Arabs Jews, Italians, or Irish.
Per example, the Ashkenasi Jews deny their Mongolian/Khazari heritage and desperately as well as obsessively attempt to identify and associate themselves only with white Europeans, especially of Germanic descent more than the German people would, despite the fact that six millions Jews were slaughtered by their beloved Teutonic nation. The Jews were the dominant figure in Germany financially, politically and on every level. The German leaders had to down-grade them first, then, massacre them next because they could not compete with them. That makes the Jews superior to the Germans not their inferiors. The feeling of inferiority and vulnerability in humans promote their self-hatred, otherwise it becomes directed toward others in what we call the phenomenon of racism. Racism is part of the human character as much as the internal feelings of inferiority and self-hatred.
A natural compensation for inferiority is the creation of the illusion of superiority. The two elements are dependent on each other for survival.
People who want to be someone else including their assassins, tend to practice the inner mechanism of self-hared, but can also externalize it by becoming racists.
Nowadays racism is profitable for the elites in the Anglo-American establishment, because it leads to conflict, and conflict makes money. The establishment has even gone a step further in the classification process of races by wanting to eliminate the word "Caucasian" and by replacing it with "white" as the new classification, because white would have a direct connation with people of European descent, while "Caucasian" included the people from North Africa, the Middle-East, and India. However, the Indians were stripped of their Caucasian classification privilege in the late seventies in the Untied States and they were given their own classification, since there is a billion of them, although anthropologically they fit the Caucasian profile.

Finally, Chehade's book makes a great reading. However, her tone throughout the essay is mostly angry reflecting her struggle with her own identity as an immigrant. Her defense of blackness would be admirable and sincere if it did not stem from her own self-hatred and her own confusion with her identity. The book is more of an emotional experience than an objective one. It lacks scientific and anthropological evidence, and it is politically naïve. However, it is worth reading. It might help generate some thinking in the brave reader's mind.

This book covers every little nook and cranny white people try to hide under and exposes their issues in regards to race. I recommend this book to any white person who wants to truly heal the race problem in America and abroad.

Chehade doesn't leave any sacred ground for racism to hide. She bravely contronts racism on every level. I loved her bluntness and her willingness to write about issues that so many people outside of the African American community do not see or want to deal with. She is no joke. People who are in any way interested in solving racism NEED to read this book and find out just exactly what kind of beast we are all living with.

Although she claims to be a White woman, specifically an Arab American woman who has spent the majority of her life as an American, it is really difficult to consider Ms. Chehade as a part of a people she so staunchly accuses of bearing the majority responsibility of human oppression and subjugation. It is hard to associate her as part of "the problem" because she is so brutally honest in her assessment of race relations-an absolute rarity among those progressive Whites and even Blacks who are traumatized just having to think about the issue. One may be shocked that there are "liberal" whites, according to Ms. Chehade, who are just as racist as the typical Klu Klux Klan member. Throughout the book, Ms. Chehade includes herself in the many examples of the use of White privilege. Her unique perspective on how immigrants are acculturated into racism is especially insightful, particularly when she describes the symbiotic economic relationship immigrants have in Black communities.

No matter the level of participation Ms. Chehade had in these racial crimes, one can easily grant her immunity because she testifies to the evil of White denial of Black humanity. The book's overall point is that it is this very denial which is key to the problem, but also critical to any resolution of America's racial nightmare. "Big Little White Lies" does not lose focus in exposing this pathology. Ms. Chehade, directly talks to whites, exposing and then addressing their negative beliefs and behavior toward Blacks. She is relentless in placing the responsibility for healing on White people by pointing to the enormous amount of power only they command. For example, using her analysis of power as the ability to control people, resources, and institutions to the detriment of others, she exposes the paranoia Whites have of Minister Louis Farrakhan. It is only by reading this book will White people come to really understand what drives the Minister and may even thank the Creator for him.

This is the only book I would want White people to read if they are going to experience any Black History at all. Not only is it a concise treatise on the history of White oppression of Blacks, but more importantly, it shows how the evils of the past have accumulated to create negative consequences for Blacks in this time. Those interested in the movement for reparations for slavery should read this book not only for its value as a reference book on the pain and suffering inflected on Blacks, but as a tactical guide to the mind of White America.

In stripping away the most fundamental denials of White people, Ms. Chehade indirectly answers many of the questions Blacks have on why the majority of Whites are racist. On one hand, "Big Little White Lies" creates an overwhelming despair that brotherhood between the masses of Black people and White people is not only an impossibility in our lifetime, but a remote possibility in the lifetimes of future generations.

On the other hand, Carol Chehade opens the mind to the critical issue of power sharing in this society and the absolute necessity of self and group empowerment. No matter your position on the political spectrum, I guarantee that this book will leave you breathless and a little shaken.

My fear is that "Big Little White Lies" will never see the mainstream publishing success it deserves. No other book could claim to be remotely compared to it. No other book could have as much potential to heal.

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.

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.

I thought I was pretty well informed on the subject of black history but that was an eye-opening book. Kareem did a great job with this book. I am proud to see a great athlete show his skills as a great scholar. Thanks for sharing these powerful profiles. I stand taller with this new knowledge of my heritage.

I found this book to be very informative and very well writen! I particularly enjoyed learning true historical facts that have long been misrepresented, or clouded with partial information. I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys history and is interested in learning truth.

I don't know about the book, but the author brings an entire new meaning to the term, "head up".

Call me Ishmal......

I bought this book in hardcover when it first came out and since then have bought several copies to give to other people, both black and white, both young and old. Without fail, this book has impacted people, and every one of them has told me how much they learned from this wonderful book.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did a masterful job in gathering these inspiring stories from what has been, unfortunately, the footnotes of history, if they were acknowledged at all. The achievements by black Americans and their contributions to this country have been largely ignored by historians until recently. And even today, many black Americans who were not taught as young people about their heritage remain oblivious to what should be a matter of great pride.

We have taken great steps to equalize human rights, but we still have a way to go to completely obliterate the racial prejudice many of us grew up with. Books like this by people with the stature of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will help get us to where we should be--respecting people of all races, colors and creeds.

What's more remarkable than the informative nature of this text is how it came to be...
An African American sport icon who gained success through one of the primary avenues African Americans have to reach affluence (sports and entertainment) just to use it as an avenue to actually uplift the intellectual level of his community. Well done!
I can't tell you how many tears it brings to my eyes to see a brother who achieve greatness through the stereotypical avenue of sports and actually use his greatness to do the truly great...uplift his people. Though there have been lists and books previous to his on the same subject, it has rarely been done by a person with such influence among youth, and for that I credit him unlike other past atheletes who simply use their stardom to sell grills, orange juice, or try and become rappers.

Peace to the God

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.

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.

I am a librarian at a small public library with a very multicultural community base. In order to increase our poetry collection I branched out and ordered new authors. Mr. Daisy's book made it worth my while. Ever since receiving his book in early 2002, we have not been able to keep it on the shelves. People of all ages, races and backgrounds have found his poetry, "moving and inspiring", "comforting", and feel "he understands my world". This book is a wonderful addition to anyone's library, whether public or your home collection.

Kyran Daisy has captured the emotions that come hand in hand with strength, frustration, misery, rage, tenderness, desire, love, heartache, and heartbreak and shared them with his readers in a mesmerizing flow of phrases. Each new poem brought a new rush of goosebumps to my skin. I fully experienced his joy and his sorrow through his brilliant words.

I don't think there is a soul on earth who would not find their own personal truth in the experiences of Mr. Daisy. As one reads the verses, one wonders if the poet was actually right there, experiencing these emotions right beside them. There is so much wisdom in the words of this young man. He has such talent, and so, such a future in poetry!

I THANK KYRAN FOR CREATING A TRULY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK OF POETRY. IT MADE ME OPEN MY EYES TO THE EMOTIONS CAPTIVATED WITHIN EVERY STORY. THE BOOK IS BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED AS IS THE MAN HOW WROTE IT. WITH EVERY WORD ON THE PAGE ONE COULD TELL HIS LOVE FOR POETRY. THE BOOK MAKES YOU REFLICT ON THE PURPOSE OF POETRY; TO REACH DOWN INSIDE YOUR SOUL AND LET GO OF THOSE POWERFULY FEELINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD. I HOPE THAT KYRAN FINDS THE MOTIVATION TO WRITE ANOTHER DELIGHTFULLY, MOTIVATING BOOK.

I cannot give enough praise and words to express my feelings for Mr Kyran Daisy's book of poems, Can't Nobody Take Me Away.His poetry is heartwarming, sensitive, perceptive, and emotional. Mr. Daisy is a creative writer. I highly recommend his book because it is a wonderful reading experience.

I cannot give enough praise and words to express my feelings for Mr Kyran Daisy's book of poems, Can't Nobody Take Me Away.His poetry is heartwarming, sensitive, perceptive, and emotional. Mr. Daisy is a creative writer. I highly recommend his book because it is a wonderful reading experience.