No comments about A Mile In Her Shoes: Lessons From The Lives Of Old Testament Women; Participant's (Sisters).

1 comments about The Last Protest: Lee Evans in Mexico City.

1. Circle a track once. Fast as you can. Faster than anyone. Do that as your country asks'What are you?' 'Who are you with?'
   If the 400 meter run is magic, Frank Murphy is a magician of a writer. He tells the story of Lee Evans, a quarter miler running for the U.S. at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The Olympics where raised fists caused fits. Heroes and villians stride through Murphy's story, but better still, there are people captured in time, making choices without certainty as to their impact, only as to the justness of their cause.
   For those who lived in that era, The Last Protest is a fresh look at men America asked to bring home gold medals, display them when asked, but not ask too much for themselves.
   For those who only remember seeing a photo of two men, gloved hands clenched above them, the book is a way to understand them by understanding one man that circled that track.
   The race sequences alone are worth the price of the book. Murphy writes with a novelist's voice, drawing you along with Evans as he runs through the duties he accepts and the distractions he endures. He places those battles in the context of this era "There was a time when a black man driving from one end of a southern state to the other, Alabama for example or Louisiana, would pack a lunch and carry his drink in a thermos."
   This is history writ well.

No comments about A Black Woman's Odyssey Through Russia and Jamaica: The Narrative of Nancy Prince.

2 comments about Afro-Cuban Voices: On Race and Identity in Contemporary Cuba.

1. This is an important book, not only for its content, but also for the fact that it exists in a political climate of ongoing hostility toward Cuba from the US. For many years, liberal scholars have idealized the socialist regime. Conservatives and expatriates, on the other side, have proclaimed their disdain and rage toward the policies of Castro's "worker's paradise." As someone who has been there three times in the past two years, Cuba is neither the heaven nor the hell illustrated by these extremes. This book sheds some realistic light on why Afro-Cubans have been thankful for real improvements in their daily lives made since the revolution, and yet still resent the pervasive racism and poverty that exists behind the veneer of socialist equality. There are some inaccuracies (I think due to translation errors) about the religion of Santeria. In any book about Afro-Cuban life, more needs to be said about the role of religion (Santeria, Abakua, and Palo) and it needs to be consistently correct, so from this perspective, the authors did not do their research. However, this book is very important for opening a dialogue about race in Cuba. I hope this dialogue will continue and break through some barriers.



2. In this slim volume, editors Pérez Sarduy and Stubbs shine light on the complex question of Afro-Cuban identity. The editors present numerous short vignettes where the reader hears, in first person, a variety of Cubans describe their lives. As with all matters Cuban, things are seldom as simple as pro- and anti- opponents claim. The conceptual tension between the gains people of color made as a result during the revolution, the silence the revolution imposed on race matters, and the looming threat of a "racial rollback" with the dolarization of the Cuban ecomony are all here, spoken from the perspective of Cubans caught in the complex social millieu that is contemporary Cuba. After an excellent review of the literature as introduction, it's all Afro-Cuban voices, a badly needed English language work that is mandatory reading for anyone interested in Cuba or in the struggle for social equality.

1 comments about I Was Born a Slave: An Anthology of Classic Slave Narratives (Library of Black America series, The).

1. This is a superb book, bringing forward the startling testimony of 20 former slaves about the terms of their captivity. These narratives are both literary and true, and 200 million people should read them.

2 comments about Mr. Bojangles: The Biography of Bill Robinson.

1. You can't find anything better if you're looking for information on the great Mr. Bojangles.



2. "Mr. Bojangles: The Biography of Bill Robinson" not only serves as a crucial historical document, but also as a vivid portrait of a truly special man. An original in every sense of the word, Bill Robinson created a unique style of tap dancing, along with breaking the racist barriers of his time. This book superbly chronicles (with the help of first-hand source materials and interviews with people who knew him) the life of this incredible artist, entertainer, and humanitarian. You will not only learn what the world was like when Mr. Robinson struggled in his craft, but you will discover the values and convictions that drove him forward. You will be moved by the benevolence of this man's spirit--a spirit that could coin a phrase such as "Everything's Copasetic!" This is a touching and informative biography that informs the evolution of tap AND the human experience.

5 comments about Raising Fences: A Black Man's Love Story (Today Show Book Club #4).

1. Raising Fences, a memoir, brings you on a tour through the life of an enduring Black man, while staying clear of the pimp-esque bravado. Datcher, born to a single mother who births him after being raped, but is given up for adoption, develops an obsession of being a great husband and father early in his life. Taken through his struggles with self-identity, female relationships, financial hardships, Datcher hides nothing, and tells all. If you are looking for a book that will do away with the Black man "playa" myth, this one is for you. A great poetic read from cover to cover.



2. If like me you are a woman and have always wanted to know about the thought process of a blk man then this is the book for you. M. Datcher does a great job of navigating us through his mind and life. Great read and an important read especially for the women out there playing that trifiling baby daddy game.



3. RAISING FENCES by Michael Datcher is a gripping, realistic tale of a fatherless child's struggle into manhood. Mr. Datcher's writing style is remarkable. His use flashbacks and crisp and clear imagery allows readers to live vicariously through the author.
   
   Readers will be drawn into this story as the author delves into intricate issues of African-American families such as broken homes, adoption, unprotected sex, surviving the streets, loveless relationships, having children out of wedlock and so much more. He does an excellent job of providing a male's prospective on these various issues.
   
   The use of poetry incorporated in the book is an added bonus for poetry lovers, but may not be received well by readers who are not fans of poetry.
   
   In this inspiring book, Mr. Datcher also shows readers that your past doesn't have to dictate your future.
   
   Take a bow Mr. Datcher, for you have penned a masterpiece that not only is enjoyable to read, but educational and informative as well. This autobiography is highly recommended!!!



4. This book was amazing... I could not put it down... How have I went all this time without hearing about this book!?
   Most books I love it is because in some way I can identify with the characters; not in this one... I loved it because it was raw, passionate and based on truth... truth of the relationships of our black men...excellent!



5. This book is great and I hope that it will spur a new line of books in a similar vain by black men.
   
   I can not put into words the feelings reading this book brought out in me. We as black women speak candidly about our emotions daily, but to see a black man, correction a strong black man do it brings such elation. My deepest respect to Michael Datcher for exposing the emotional side of a black man, and lets hope that there will be more powerful but tender works like this from Datcher in the future. I will be waiting.

5 comments about No Ordinary Love.

1. Since the Christie's are so family oriented I expected the book to be more about their family, relationship, infinite love and so on. The book focused more on rumors, Doug's basketball career and injury and then a little thrown in about their relationship.



2. All is fair in LOVE & Basketball
   
   No Ordinary Love is a fascinating and victorious story about love and basketball, well of course! Jackie and Doug allowed us into their world prior to Doug being drafted into the NBA as well as allowed us to ride along for the rest of the journey. The true story behind their public love affair is extremely simple, Infinite Love, which is what they have politely named their bond to one another and their family. In purchasing the book I wasn't real sure what to expect, however I had an open mind, despite the harsh and cruel way the media had portrayed the celebrity couple. Being an author of an Urban Fiction book dealing with the NBA and Mistresses I felt I absolutely had to at least read the book. I too have had very unique experiences in and around the NBA, with my stepbrother playing in the NBA over a decade and befriending just a few for over a decade as well.
   
   After reading the book I felt compelled to fall in love and try my hand at love again. I had stepped away and bowed out gracefully from the dating games most men play and decided to focus on God, my family, teaching within the urban community, writing, and publishing. The story was exceptionally inspiring and I truly commend the NBA couple for speaking out and sharing the intimacies of such a wonderful friendship as well as defining Infinite Love. The approach of the book, was a surprise, which added a neat and fabulous aspect and spin to the book. It's not too often that a book is presented in dialogue; however it was appropriate and very fitting. This is a great read for married couples as well as the unmarried who may have lost hope on what true love is. Reading this book will define and allow you a courtside seat into loving another. Thank you both for sharing your world with us and much success and happiness to you both! Let's toast to Infinite Love! Congrats and I will be waiting on part 2.
   
   Reviewed by:
   Ya'Heard Magazine
   ~The Urban Fiction Lounge~



3. NO ORDINARY LOVE shares an up-close and personal, real-life love story of a couple that seemingly defies the odds; African-American, celebrities, faithful to each other, and loving their marriage. After many challenging confrontations, with the media and basketball personalities, they talk about how they learned to navigate through the fickle highway of fame. They've carved a meaningful life together in spite of their humble beginnings and the pitfalls of stardom, with love, faith and determination. They have kept their relationship fresh and true.
   
   This magnanimous couple is professional NBA star, Doug Christie and his runway model wife, Jackie. The book has the feel of sitting in their living room, listening to them talk. They briefly touch on their respective backgrounds, but over seventy-five percent of the book centers on their life as a high profile couple during Doug's career.
   
   Doug possesses the audacity to love his wife, and the strength to express his feelings publicly. For that, he has been called a lot of things, some not mentionable, by a lot of people, including Bryant Gumbel, who once labeled Doug whipped on national television. Jackie supports Doug in all his decisions and is able to let negativity roll off her back. Doug shares how some teams have very specific rules governing family association. Also, many of the 'groupies' are actual employees of the teams. He once refused a job because he would not agree that Jackie could not travel, even at her own expense, with the team.
   
   NO ORDINARY LOVE is not Doug and Jackie's attempt to be role models for young married couples, or anyone searching for the true meaning of love and commitment, but a testament to what can happen when your goal is infinite love.
   
   Reviewed by aNN
   of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers



4. No Ordinary Love
   Monday, October 8, 2007 print | email
   
   
   First things first, two things I think I know about Doug Christie: 1) lock down defender; 2) his name is synomous with being pussy-whipped! I really enjoyed this story of love, life and basketball that dispelled a lot of the ideas about the Christies that I had from the negative publicity that I've been exposed to as a basketball fan. No Ordinary Love is an autobiographical, love, sports and marriage story. Doug and Jackie Christie narrate their personal histories, intertwining thier stories like their shared life. The interesting/infamous tale of the Christie's public love being attacked, how the attacks start, build, and are widespread...even eventually becoming a contract issue with a woefully bad Sonics team that finished the season with less than 35 wins. The story exposed the links between the management/ownership and media, with the players culture of womanizing and infidelity, showing how teams even facilitate this mysoginist culture (look at what Stephon Marbury said at the Isiah trial). Doug Christie is very mature in expressing his emotions and growth as person. In re-telling his basketball career he even glosses over his big scoring years as a Raptor, focusing most specifically on his time with the Kings. It's interesting Christie doesn't seem fixated on the emotion of the past, instead remembering his friendships with C-Webb, Vlade Divac, Bobby Jackson, Hedo Turloglu, Peja, Mike Bibby, even the boyz from Team Dime, and the style and passion of basketball as the best part of his NBA experience. The message of the Christies is about being committed to the idea of family first, and experiencing Infinite Love. I think the Christies have a positive message to share with all of consumer culture, Jackie said it best: ''Stay committed to the commitment." Teaching by example, they've shown the world their love.



5. No Ordinary Love: A True Story of Marriage and Basketball is the true-life memoir of the marriage between 14-year NBA star Doug Christie and former fashion model Jackie Christie. The two of them cherish an increasing rarity in today's world, especially among society's elite - a traditional, faithful marriage. Though No Ordinary Love also offers an inside look at life in the NBA, but its crux is a celebration of the joy of cementing an alliance of love, teamwork, and unshakeable loyalty to one another. Presented in the format of a narrative alternating between Doug and Jackie's direct words, and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, No Ordinary Love is a solid testament to the joys and wonders of life and the rewarding satisfaction of building a healthy relationship.

No comments about A star to steer by;.

3 comments about The River of No Return: The Autobiography of a Black Militant and the Life and Death of SNCC.

1. This is a well written account of someone who was on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. As Dr. Sellers recounts his life as a "black militant", he gives us first hand insight of not only his, but "others" involvement in this historical movement. His details caputured my soul and touch my heart. Not only did I have the opportunity to read the autobioraphy of Dr. Cleveland Seller, he was also my long time advisor and professor at The University of South Carolina. This book is as well written as his first hand accounts.



2. I know Cleve Sellers quite well, he's currently a history professor at the University of South Carolina and his students are fortunate to get firsthand accounts of the Civil Rights movement from a lesser-known, but NOT a lesser player in these events. Readers of his book are forutante too, for here you have verfiable firsthand accounts from a man who lived through this stuff and paid heavily for it. In about 40 years, the generation who lived through the Civil Rights movement will no longer be with us, and it is good that documents of this kind will be around to let future generations know what it was REALLY like.

   However, it's worthy to note that his closing chapter, on the chaotic state of Black leadership after the Civil Rights movement, is still dead-on traget although it was written in 1973.




3. This is a reprint of a well-written personal account by a SNCC member and Howard University student. I am glad to see this book back in print. It will give an insight to the young and not so young who, because of the media's almost exclusive focus on Dr. King, have been lead to believe that the only important aspect of the civil rights movement was the "I Have a Dream" speech. Cleve Sellers gives us an up close and personal report on some of the key leaders of SNCC, especially the late Stokely Carmichael (known later as Kwame Ture), who later became, for a short time, the Prime Minister of the Black Panther Party and for many years the primary organizer of the All African Peoples Revolutionary Party.

   Sellers shares many of the behind the scenes relationships between SNCC and other organizations and details the tactical and ideological differences which engaged the energies of the SNCC membership.