5 comments about Out of the Madness: From the Projects to a Life of Hope.

1. This story is hard to imagine anyone living through. Mr. Ladd's accomplishments are outstanding. This brings a reality to the reader that most people have no idea exists except those living it. This autobiography also shows the power of determination, attitude and self-reliance.
   
   This should be inspiring and educational to young people especially but also to adults who can see the world from a young black man's perspective. Ladd allows us to walk in his shoes for a while; it is a privilege and a lesson.
   
   The narrator for the audiocassette does an excellent job reading the book.
   
   This story reminded me of "Finding Fish" by Antwoine Fisher, another great, inspiring story.



2. As a 24 yearold 1st yr. teacher in West Dallas I have been looking for answers. I work at the Middle School across from the projects referred to in this book. I am not too far from "Fishtrap", and the gangs (boyz) have changed from Ladd's time but only by the faces of their members. Some of the most infamous being my most delightful students. My kids are not like all of the others in America. They are different...special even and Jerrold Ladd told me why. As I read this book with every page I turned I anticipated that the "story" would get better. I prayed that his mother would change. I longed for the chapter when some long lost Great-Uncle from Georgia would come and take him from the reality of his torrid life. But it never happened. And I became frustarted because my students do not have anyone to rescue them from their realities, not for the long haul at least. Jerrold Ladd's book explained to me the generational frustaration that West Dallas incorporates. The resentment and struggle of blocks and blocks of people is the only thing this community truly owns. Ladd wrote the testament and explanation of a community's fear. His hopes and fears were evident on every page of this book. I only wish that my studenrs could take time from their troubles of hunger, fear, anger, and poverty to big up this reflection of possible positive self. Thank you for this invaluable tool of living and learning.



3. As a 24 yearold 1st year Teacher in West Dallas I have looked for reasons as to why my students (my kids) as I call them are the way they are. I teach eighth grade History at Thomas Edison Middle Learning Center which is located across the street from the projects referred to by Mr. Ladd. I can testify that all of my 109 students are the soul of Jerrold Ladd.

   I have gone home frustrated many nights, crying myself to sleep distraught over what my kids must face at home from day to day after a long day at school. Mr. Ladd brought home the realities of my student lives. He pushed their questionable futures to the forefront of my classroom and by this Christmas I was sad to see them go. I was sad because I questioned how many of them would bathe without the motivation of not being ridiculed by mean classmates. I was sad because I wondered to what length one of my kids would go to pay his mother's rent, the same mother who stood in front of me and her precious son parent-confrence night and stated how he was a waste of 13 years.

   As I turned the pages of this book I waited with each page for Mr. Ladd's situation to get better. Similarly, as I come to work everyday I look for my kids situation to get better. In the final ten to twelve pages of this testament to the community of West Dallas I finally saw inspiration and hope, however I shudder to think how long it will take the children of West Dallas to see the same thing.

   Jerrold Ladd thank you for this guide into the minds of my babies. It is a invaluable tool.




4. Excellent writing from a motivated and dedicated young man. Jerrold Ladd experienced disrupted education, a lack of early age positive male influence while proving first hand, that you can over come all obstacles and succeed in America.

   It is a gut wrenching look into living in America's projects shortly after desegregation. It reminded me of the fact that life in America is not and has never been the same for everyone. For many, it is a living torture. Once you have read Out Of The Madness, you feel like you personally know the author. The author, Jerrold Ladd, tells an in-depth story about his life, his family (Mother, sister and brother) and some of his friends and associates. He provides an incredible amount of detail for a relatively short book (under 200 pages and large print). He allowed me to walk in his foot steps, feeling his disappointments, success's and failures. Each chapter presented intense quality of life and life treating situations that would test and potentially break the fiber of any man or woman. Jerrold exposes himself, his friends and associates in a bold and remarkable manner that allows you to actually feel his emotions. This book is a dead serious look at life within a segment of America, yesterday and today. The book reminds you that to many people (children and adults), needlessly, experience this and worst everyday. I recommend the book as a must read for everyone. My reason: This book provides an insight into a situation that many generations of Americans helped create. It gives motivation to those in similar situations and those that have not lived integrated into murder, drugs and abuse. Most of all, it proves, in America you can change your life.




5. I am a freshman student at my high school, and was assigned to a book report... I then choose this book, yet not out of wantingness, but just to get something and be done with it. When I started this book, I was so amazed at the details, and way Jerrold lived, with such horrific times in his live from his living style, to growing up, and all the obstacles, and problems that occured in his life. It was so sad, yet you cant put it down.

No comments about The Book of Deacon: The Wit and Wisdom of Deacon Jones.

2 comments about Leah Chase: Listen, I Say Like This.

1. The glowing review above, titled "Everybody Loves Her; What's Not to Love?" seems to have been ghostwritten by her publisher. It is written in the same style as the book--which is equally over-the-top in it's fauning style and sachrine praise.
   
   Leah's FOOD is supberb! However, her storytelling is nauseatingly nacisistic and quickly grows wearisome. If you really feel compelled to read this book order it from the library. I wish I spent the money on one of her cookbooks instead!
   Bon Appetite



2. Written largely in the words of Leah Chase, herself, this book makes the reader feel he or she really KNOWS Leah Chase, and what a lady to know! She is a piece of our national history and a national treasure. Her willingness to express her opinions on just about everything evokes laughter as well as tears. Her life is awe-inspiring,sometimes humorous and sometimes sad. Leah Chase is one of those rare human beings who can walk with kings or sit on the floor with poor folks and be just as comfortable with either.

No comments about A Historical Guide to Ernest Hemingway (Historical Guides to American Authors).

2 comments about American Daughter (Borealis Books).

1. Someone gave me this book, and I am lucky, for I never would have read it otherwise. But it seems that almost no one has ever read "American Daughter"(originally published in 1967), though it should be listed as of the greats of American letters. Thompson is quoted in the preface as saying, "Usually an autobiography is written near the end of a long and distinguished career, but not taking any chances, I wrote mine first, then began to live." That's tongue-in-cheek, and characteristically self-effacing. Very much so. After writing "American Daughter", Thompson went on to be associate editor of the newly established EBONY magazine, as just the start of a distinguished publishing and writing career. But it is this memoir, which should be reissued for mainstream attention--that is her great triumph--a touching, beautifully written book that enriches the lives of all who read it.



2. Miss Thompson has done an incredible job here. Her autobiography is so personal and touching. In reading her story, I watched her grow up in North Dakota and saw how the family struggled when they first started farming. From the early morning sunrise to the bitter cold weather, Era Bell Thompson is a master of description. She paints a beautiful picture of life, and likewise how hard the death of her mother and father were on her.
   Her early 1900 work ethic makes us pale in comparison. Her friendships blossom on the pages. Her sorrows, pains, joys, love, and strength of spirit are poignant and enduring.
   She is brave and hard working. She wants to share her soul with us, the readers, and has done a trememdous job!
   Please purchase this book and read it. I promise it will be hard to put down and you will have been blessed by reading it.
   Come share with me what I experienced by learning about a true american daughter, Era Bell Thompson.

1 comments about The Afro-American Griot Speaks: Afro-American Names.

1. the african country who sspeak english in some of these country which had been occupead by english colony

No comments about Race Man: The Rise and Fall of the "Fighting Editor," John Mitchell Jr..

No comments about BLACK CRUSADER - 2008 Illustrated Edition.

No comments about Jean Toomer's Years With Gurdjieff: Portrait of an Artist, 1923-1936.

3 comments about Ass Backwards: A Black Police Officers Hatred for Inner City Criminals and Their Enablers.

1. Guilty WHITE Liberals need to read this book and TRY to comprehend what this (BLACK) guy is saying. He CAN say the stuff we whites "CANT" say thanks to Liberal PC. A great read.



2. Ass Backwards: A Black Police Officers Hatred for Inner City Criminals and Their EnablersThis is a no-holds barred look into the complacency that plagues our inner cities from the perspective of an officer who wanted to make a difference in his community. He takes us through his times as a Kansas City police officer and gives us a bird's eye view from his perspective, which we don't always get to see.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to look beneath the surface of what is going on in our communities all across the country, about the stereotypes that we face, and what we can do to make a change.
   
   The book ends on a very powerful note on how no matter how successful we become, some stereotypes are just so hard to shake... A very good and interesting read!!!



3. THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! I RECOMMENED EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK. DON'T LET THE COVER FOOL YOU, THIS BOOK HAS A LOT OF TRUTH IN IT. I LIKE THE BOOK SO MUCH; I ORDERED 10 OF THEM FOR XMAS GIFTS.. THIS BOOK TAKES YOU IN THE MIND OF A BLACK POLICE OFFICER AND THE STRUGGLES HE HAD TO ENDURE IN THE KANSAS CITY, KS STREETS. THIS BOOK IS ABSOULETLY WORTH READING!!!!!!!!!!!