No comments about Struggles in the Promised Land: Towards a History of Black-Jewish Relations in the United States.

2 comments about The Life of Benjamin Banneker: The First African-American Man of Science.

1. . Why is there a DC high school named for Benjamin Banneker? If you read this book, you will find out that this local-boy-made-good was a free African-American tobacco farmer who was born and lived his entire life just outside of what is now known as Ellicott City, MD. He had an early interest in mathematics, science, and astronomy, and with a pocket knife and some other tools built one of the first clocks ever made in the 13 American colonies, out of wood. For this he became locally famous, and made friends with some of the younger members of the Ellicott family, who were Quakers, anti-slavery advocates, and owners of some mills in what was then known as Ellicott's Mills. They lent him some mathematics and astronomy texts, and eventually gave him a telescope. He taught himself a considerable amount of mathematical and observational astronomy, and eventually began, around the age of 60, to publish an almanac detailing the locations of the planets and the Moon for the coming year, as well as predicting eclipses and sunrises and sunsets - all based on laborious and lengthy calculations and diagrams that he made himself.

   Eventually, he was tapped for an even greater role - he was hired to help Major Andrew Ellicott in the astronomical and chronometric portion of the most important surveying job of his day - laying out the 10 mile by 10 mile square that eventually became the District of Columbia.

   This very well-researched book also helps lay to rest some of the myths about what Banneker did and did not do during his most unusual lifetime; unfortunately, many websites and books continue to propagate these myths, probably because those authors do not understand what Banneker actually accomplished. Many state, for example, that Banneker's clock was an exact copy of one he saw, which is not true -- he figured out the mathematics and physics on his own for a clock made out of wood, instead of trying simply to copy the small pocket watch that he was lent to observe. However remarkable this clock was, it was not the first clock made in America. Other sources continually repeat the myth that when Pierre l'Enfant was fired from the job of laying out the new Federal City, Benjamin Banneker recreated l'Enfant's plans from memory. Bedini lays this myth to rest and shows us that what Banneker actually did in terms of astronomical work was actually much more difficult -- in fact, it was in the league of the work done by Mechain and Delambre to measure the length of the meridian that passes through Dunkirk, Paris and Barcelona, with the purpose of defining the meter for all time. But that's another story -- but if you want to read about it, check out Ken Alder's The Measure of All Things: The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error that Transformed The World.

   If you read this book, you will also see some facsimiles of his widely-known almanac, some of his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson where he vainly attempts to convince the future president that African Americans are just as smart as European Americans, photographs of some of the equipment that he used, and so on. Unfortunately, Banneker's house, and all of its contents (including the wooden clock and many of his astronomical workbooks) burned to the ground on the day of his funeral.




2. A great read for my six and eight-year old grandsons and me. This biography briefly but clearly covered several areas of history: colonialism, slavery, scientific works of more than 200 years ago. It told of Banneker's many accomplishments,focusing mainly on his producing the first known almanac by an African-American and his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson over the unfairness of slavery in America. We learned what an almanac is and how important it was in colonial days. The book mentions how Banneker's grandmother, Molly, taught him to read and this led my grandsons and I to another biography, "Molly Bannaky", the story of Banneker's grandmother, written by Alice McGill. We had fun researching Banneker's family tree in this way. What I especially liked about the book was the quiet message I hope my grandsons grasped, that if you keep trying hard enough, you can accomplish many goals in your life and have a richer life for it.

4 comments about A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginning of the Civil Rights Revolution.

1. The 1950s is often referred to nostalgically especially by those like me who grew up during this time period. Author David Nichols's book focuses on President Dwight Eisenhower's role during this often turbulent decade. Eisenhower ruled over five Supreme Court appointments, the first being Governor Earl Warren of California. Eisenhower had promised Warren the first vacancy that presented itself. This turned into being the position of Chief Justice which Warren filled. The 1954 decision of Brown vs. the Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education which overturned the 1896 case of Plessy vs. Ferguson which declared separate but equal facilities for both whites and blacks is dealt in detail. Eisenhower was so upset by the Brown decision of 1954 that he is often quoted as saying his appointment of Warren to be "the biggest damned fool mistake I ever made." Eisenhower didn't believe you could legislate moral values by saying, "You can't change the heart by passing a law." States rights, he believed, took precedence in government which also included schools. A rift developed between both Eisenhower and Warren, and has been detrimental to Eisenhower's reputation in regard to civil rights. Warren had come to resent Eisenhower the war hero, and Warren would have liked to have run for president in 1956 if Eisenhower had not run for reelection. In August of 1955 the murder of Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi, sparked the civil rights movement. In December of that same year Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. When asked why she refused to give up her seat she said, "I thought of Emmett Till, and I just couldn't." This anecdote is not in the book, but it has appeared in others. The 1957 crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas, was another incident that erupted when Governor Orval Fabus refused to allow blacks to enter Central High School. Eisenhower was hoping for some vacation time where he could play some golf, and he now had his golf time rudely interrupted by another pressing civil rights matter. This book provides the reader with some of the turbulent times that provided previews of coming attractions during the 1960s.



2. A friend highly recommended this book. He told me that it gave him high respect for Eisenhower and his Attorney General, Herb Brownell.
   Having read quite a bit of Civil Rights history and several biographies of Dwight Eisenhower, I thought I knew the Eisenhower's record on Civil Right. Wrong!
   The author David A. Nichols, a history professor, was unknown to me before reading his A Matter of Justice. He did a superb job of providing detailed and extensive notes which gave me as a reader a great respect for the extent of his research and his perserverance in writing this book.



3. I found this book to be quite educational. It reviews the situation at the time and Ike's past and places his actions in perspective. Neither fawning nor overly flattering, it give a clear view of a decent but conflicted man of the times. The evolution of Ike's moral compass was very well presented. In light of the recent election campaigns, it presents some important history.



4. David Nichols' work on Eisenhower's support for the cause of civil rights, as the blurbs on the back cover indicate, advances the historical record. Eisenhower's view was that the best way to advance the cause of civil rights was through action rather than oratory. This approach to government was a consistent theme of Eisenhower's modus operandi as reflected in Fred Grenstein's ground breaking work. While Nichols enhances Eisenhower's civil rights record by calling attention both to his actions and his public and private comments, he also acknowledges Eisenhower could have (should have?) used the bully pulpit of the presidency more in support of the first Brown decision and the civil rights movements. Nichols lays much of the blame for southern resistence to Brown I to the Court's timidity in its enforcement decision, Brown II, and claims that Eisenhower also was disappointed in Brown II.
   
   Eisenhower, whatever his motives and modus operandi, can be faulted for failing to recognize that a bully pulpit was needed in the aftermath of Brown I and that his overly legalistic and above the board approach stroked southern resistence. The repercussions of not using stronger rhetoric during his presidency caused ripples which reverberate today. While Eisenhower may have provided leadership, he failed to use all the tools of the presidency, including the bully pulpit, to provide moral leadership.

1 comments about Dr. Dre in the Studio: From Compton, Death Row, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, The Game and Mad Money & The Life, Times and Aftermath of the Notorious Record Producer - Dr. Dr.

1. By now, Dre's musical influence acting as a template for other Producers has grown to such a common knowledge in the industry that it doesn't need saying anymore. However, one point that could stand a little more attention is how dre has single handedly managed to turn rap into a Producers game on the mainstream level. Prior to Dre's celebrity, producers enjoyed the limelight either in their own circles, on the undergroud or in front of the camera if they were the song and dance type. But after dre, suddenly everyone is checking to see who produced what song. This is not to say that DJ's were anonymous all this time, but certainly Dre has pushed our recent facination of them into the spotlight.
   
   Part of this facination has raised the question: "What is it exactly that Producers do?" Lesser known producers have tried to answer this question and more often than not we are left unsatisfied. Maybe because what we are all really wondering is "What is it exactly that Dr.Dre does?" And that's where this book becomes what most fans, inquirers and even skeptics have been waiting for.
   
   First, it might be helpful to describe what the book isn't: It isn't current, though you can tell it wishes that it was. This book apparently was not a passport inside the studio while Dr.Dre works his magic. So you're not going to find a recent, first hand account of Dre orchestrating, producing, conducting, coaching or guiding his musicians and artists. Descriptions like that happened after the Chronic, when a journalist described Dre taking a sample and re-shaping it with his own sounds. BTW, this early description is recounted in this book. But it's not clear if this is how Dre still crafts his beats. Surely his production methods have evolved.
   
   You also won't find any new material or interviews with the man himself. But this is a mild dissapointment that passes when you realize that the author has taken the time to make a gumbo soup of quotes that came from the people who have worked with Dre over the years. Like the Ronin-Ro biography, most of these quotes are blow backs from interviews I read already. But having various sources under the same roof validating each other should at long last bring closure to some of the controvesy surrounding Dre's studio habits.
   
   The most helpful and insightful pieces to this book are the quotes from the "2001" co-producer Mel-Man. His interviews and excerpts are entirely new (as far as I can tell) and save the book from being nothing more than a re-hashing of old information. Mel confronts and conclusively answers all those lingering questions about Dre stealing credit from other producers and more importantly what it is that a Producer like Dr.Dre does exactly in the studio. It helps that Mel's response are concise and well articulated -- a big relief compared to the choppy responses we usually get from rap artists. Mel-Man's contributions to this book alone justify the cost of this book.
   
   Those who have been anticipating the release of "Detox" will be even more anxious once they get through the last chapter of this book. Both Mel-Man and Scott Storch give some curious clues as to what to expect for Dre's last and most anticipated body of solo work yet. According to Storch, the results heard thus far are overwhelming.
   
   This is definitely a book to have. Aside from a few embarrassing typos (which made me wonder if I had been sent a working copy), I was really satisfied at the end of my read. This is probably as good as we're going to get until Detox hits the streets, at which point we won't need a biographer since the music will undoubtedly speak for itself.

3 comments about MLK: The Martin Luther King, Jr Tapes.

1. Great method to hear GREAT speeches from MLK. Yes, although not all of the speeches were spoken in their entirely, this CD still gives the listener the depth of King's lyrically speeches



2. I've searched for speeches by Dr.Martin Luther King and I was please with the choices available through Amazon. This is a good look back in history.



3. MLK: The Martin Luther King tapes is the first Audio CD I've ever purchased. I am a new student of our great orators, and Martin, from what I've read, is the best. One of my only regrets concerning Dr. King's speeches is that I haven't been able to hear them all as spoken by his eloquent, yet powerful oratory style. This Audio CD has eliminated my concern. I can now hear Dr. King anytime I want to at work. I feel like I'm right there, listening with his audience. If this product is any indication of what to expect from future Audio CD's by other great orators such as JFK, FDR, and even Winston Churchill, then count me in! The only reason for the four stars as opposed to five stars is due to the rudely shortened eulogy of Robert Kennedy during Dr. King's funeral. There should have been more of it.

2 comments about Born to Rebel: An Autobiography.

1. This was a wonderful book, its a wonder how Dr. Mays overcame all the things that was holding him back. This is one you should read.



2. Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays (1894-1984) was one of the most prominent educators, social reformists and civil rights and religious leaders of his time. This book magnificently captures a time in American history that is far too scarcely documented: the Post-Civil War segregation era, leading up to 1970. This book gives a very personal description of Dr. Mays's struggles for dignity, respect and integrity, while simultaneously touching upon the collective struggle of African-Americans. I recommend this book for anyone seeking a greater understanding of African-American and American history. Mr. Mays was a pioneer in social reform and civil rights, was the President of Morehouse College from 1940-67, was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and held the honor of being the "First" to hold several important and powerful positions in private and public organizations. He was a giant among men. I assure you that this is one of the best autobiographies that you will read.

No comments about Writings of Frank Marshall Davis: A Voice of the Black Press.

2 comments about King Vol. 1 (King).

1. This is a gripping, gutsy series with very good art. But the dialogue, which is typed, has some really awful errors in it. "it is now the time" instead of "it is not the time", "farmer slaves" instead of "former slaves", and, worst of all, "Catholics and protestors". The last occurrs in the famed "I Have a Dream" speech at the end of volume 2. It's such a glaring typo that it stops the reader dead and totally ruins the impact of the speech, and the entire second book. Did nobody bother to proofread this book before it was published? How could nobody notice that the climax of one of the most famous speeches of the last century was incorrectly transcribed?



2. This book is a revealing documentary about one of the greatest men of the Twentieth Century, Martin Luther King. It essentially reveals that this man who is now seen as the Twentieth Century's equivalent of Abraham Lincoln was a man of foibles and some weaknesses and how much of his crusade still has to be won by us. And yet, the book does not take away the essential nobility of his fight, even though it was shown to be tougher than we remember. In fact, this book, by showing how King had flaws, emphasizes that we have ability to take up his cause and not be intimidated by the lionized image of this still great ma

2 comments about Undaunted By The Fight: Spelman College And The Civil Rights Movement, 1957-1967 (Voices of the African Diaspora).

1. This book is a fascinating, eye-opening account of a group of civil rights activists that have been mainly "invisible" in most accounts of the happenings in and around Atlanta from the mid-50s to the mid-60s. The story is interwoven with factual descriptions, media accounts and recollections of the actual women (and men). As a Spelman alumna (class of 1984), I am proud of these women and ashamed that I did not know more of the astounding part my sisters played in this "drama". This book is a MUST READ. For those who don't know: the fight is not over. You need only read this book for real inspiration and rejuvenation for the ongoing battle. Dr. Lefever, a masterful writer, has done a wonderful job of writing this; it's a real page-turner!



2. Undaunted by the Fight is a 21st century documentation and reflection on the U. S. Civil Rights Movement and the Spelman College women who played key roles in helping to make it happen. It pays tribute to some of the unsung Spelman (s)heroes of this Movement, while at the same time providing the reader with a generous overview of the significant events that took place across the country during this critical time. Detailed at times, the book gives the reader a sense of "being there" and getting to know, honor, and respect those involved in the Movement; and it does so in such a way as to not invade the personal lives of these individuals, as some books are known to do. It is a beautiful, scholarly presentation of an ugly time in U. S. history, with just the right amount of humor to keep the reader moving forward instead of getting stuck in anger or guilt about the details of what happened when the Movement was most prominent. The U. S. Civil Rights Movement, though at times appearing stagnant, is indeed an "ongoing" event that has influenced local, national, and global politics. This book makes those connections. It is inspiring and motivational, and it leaves the reader with the questions of, "Where--and how--do we go from here?". I praise Dr. Lefever for this book. It is a timely piece for the new millennium for those of us who wish to remain "undaunted by the fight".

5 comments about The Chosen One: Tiger Woods and the Dilemma of Greatness.

1. The Chosen one was a very interesting book . But it only told about Tiger Wood's career and his life when he was older , getting into golf tornments and training . But otherwise it is a very good book if you were just wanting to know how he won tournments and becomeing famous . Also it told about how Tiger Woods was ridiculed by his race and how young he was , which was a problem towards his career due to reporters and newspapers.Tiger was also known as one of the multicultrual icons . Also what was interesting to people is Tiger was guided by his father rather than being pushed on.



2. This book was very true about the life of Tiger Woods. It keep me reading page after page. The author was a sports writer so he knew what he was writing aout and it was great.Tiger Woods is the best golfer.



3. A collection of few chapters with the authors own ideas and thoughts thrown in too liberally, it is more of the author's view of Tiger Woods. Does not qualify as an biography, just a bunch of articles. Does has a few gems which make it worthwhile.



4. Over the past century golf has produced some of the greatest players of all times. None, however, have reached the caliber of skill and magnitude of Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. In such a short time and at an early age Tiger has raised the sport of golf to a higher level. Who is this young man who has broken golf records, establishes new ones and inspires a new generation to seriously take up the sport of golf?

   David Owen deals with that question in this well written and concise book about Tiger Woods and his impact upon golf. He examines Woods' training, his place in history, his impact on the sport and the public's fascination with him. As a contributing editor of Golf Digest, our author doesn't inundate you with Woods' golf statistics. Nor does he give you an in depth expose of Tiger's life. Owen gives a positive even handed treatment of Woods life and career. He is just as fascinated with this young phenomenon of golf as we are but doesn't worship Woods. He respects and admires this young sportsman.

   I enjoyed this book because it enlighten me about the development of Woods' career. Tiger comes across as a disciplined young man who is highly competitive, focused and has high expectations of himself and for those around him. His aura and the way he has carried himself forces his opponents to improve their game. Tiger's impact upon golf is immense as Owen has shown throughout the story.

   This is an excellent book for fans of Woods, golf enthusiasts and those who love sports in general. I am not a sports fan but I picked up this book in passing. I was impressed by Woods' character, discipline and commitment. I highly recommend this book which has given us a snap shot of a true sportsman that adults and young people can admire and emulate. Woods has made himself one of the greatest golf players of all time but he has transcended the game. He serves as an example of excellence for life whose lessons we can certainly take to heart.




5. that is the only way to describe Tiger Woods.it seems He continues to Pave New Ground on the Golf Course.with Him Winning&holding many trophys ...Tiger Woods is the Jackie Robinson of the Golf World.He May Be the Most Important Athlete of this Century time will only tell.but He has made a Helluva Impact.He made the Golf Game Hip.Before Him only Rodney Dangerfield in CaddyShack was Appealing to Me.He has truly Opened up some Closed Gates.