1 comments about Baba of Karo: A Woman of the Muslim Hausa.

1. 
   Baba of Karo, a Woman of the Muslim Hausa, first published in 1945, is the fascinating autobiography of Baba, a very elderly Hausa woman. Baba talks about Hausa domestic life, slavery, farming and explains Hausa rituals. Her memories reach all the way back to the days of intertribal warfare and slave raids, providing an invaluable history of Hausa life in the late 1800s through the first half of the twentieth century.
   Although Baba of Karo remains a valuable classic in the field of African studies I think that it would be equally valuable in the area of women's studies. Anyone who is interested in women's history will find this an especially fascinating and informative book. At a time when no outside male would ever have been allowed access to interview a female, Mary Smith learned Hausa and spent uncountable daily sessions with Baba as the old women told her life's story of living in a polygynous marriage in the Hausa male-oriented society from a woman's point of view.

5 comments about Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary.

1. Impressive story of one woman's struggle and triumph as a former member of the Black Panther Party and a her determination to beat the odds. It is extremely difficult to live in destitute, drug infested neighborhoods, and live a life of hopeless despair. Being black in America make these struggles more difficult to deal with. Afeni Shakur speaks about her life very candidly and reflects on her past with honesty, dignity, and strength. Afeni is bright and hopeful and I begin to see similarities between her, and her son. This book provides an in depth account of life as a panther, motherhood, and how drugs killed her spirit. Afeni made it through the rough times and is continuing to prevail over struggle all the while keeping her son's legacy alive.



2. This book was quite interesting yet at some points confusing because I could not tell who was talking; was it Jasmine Guy or Afeni. Nonetheless, I found it interesting and enjoyed how this woman went to her lowest state yet manage to come out on top.



3. This book really helps you to understand the multiple layers that engulfed the late Tupac Shakur. Jasmine Guy gave Afeni (Tupac's mother) a platform to freely and naturally tell her story to the world. A must read for anyone that is having trouble understanding the personal dilemmas of one of the greatest rappers of all time. I only wish Tupac would have lived long enough to find the peace that Afeni has finally discovered.
   Thanks Jasmine Guy for spreading your artistic wings!



4. I expected more of a biography. This is more like reading a conversation between two friends (Guy talks about Shakur keeping her company while she packs up to move, what SHE is thinking, etc.), which is fine in itself, but much of it is written as if the reader already knows the backstory. It is well-written for what it is, but simply not what I was looking for. A proper biography of Shakur remains to be written.
   
   Guy is a terrific writer (hopefully there will be more from her in the future), and the book is a fast read. For someone truly interested in the subject, this is where you must go. Don't go here for discussion of Tupac, there is a bit, but he is relegated to the sidelines. There are some surprises, including the frank admission that Afeni was addicted to crack while pregnant with a child she eventually aborted, a decision she considers the worst of her life (the abortion, that is).



5. 
   I'll admit that what initially drew me to this book was having been so affected by 'Pac's music in my life and also being such a huge fan of Jasmine Guy's as well. That is, like I said, what DREW me to the book. What kept me reading however, what would not let me put this book down, was experiencing the unexpectedly fascinating legacy of a woman whose name the title beholds.
   
   The cover and design of this book itself lend forshadowing of what is between the pages. Sleek. Majestic. Classic. Simple and unassuming. Quietly enthralling.
   
   To read Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary is to feel invited in on an intimate conversation between two friends, two women with layers and layers of depth and life experience. It's like gathering at the feet of a storyteller with wisdom and a history that you've heard about and find yourself enthralled the more you hear. I read it in a day and a half without intending to do so. But it flowed so well that I couldn't put it down. I'm convinced now, more than ever, that genius begets genious. Here's to--not necessarily learning more about 'Pac--but instead learning and growing to love his dignified and inspiring roots.
   
   Thank you, Afeni and Jasmine, for sharing this journey with us.

5 comments about ``Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?'': How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire.

1. Have you ever read a book that you had to struggle to get through, yet you were still glad you read it? That is my feeling about this book. I found the book boring, tedious to read at times and a bit more technical than what I'm used to. Nevertheless, I could not get past the fact that Reginald Lewis and all that he accomplished after starting with nothing was an incredibly inspirational story that needed to be told. His drive and inability to accept "no" are something that we can all learn from and appreciate, but the writing in the book just didn't hold my attention.



2. what a man! talk about inspirational. 3rd time i've read this and it makes me feel like i can conquer the world. this book gives me so much confidence and raises my self-esteem to new levels. just an awesome book about an incredible man.



3. This work tells the story of a black man who rose to become a top CEO.
   
   Author BLAIR S. WALKER, discusses the chronicle of his subject's private life based on dozens of interviews and also consulting many sources and borrowing on an unfinished autobiography Reginald Lewis wrote shortly before his death from brain cancer in order to give a full and accurate account of this intense, goal-oriented man's life.
   
   If motivation and inspiration is what you seek, you will find it in various chapters throughout the book. Power packed with valuable business lessons on deal making and negotiations, this book has the ability to cultivate your mind set in many a positive ways.
   
   Lewis was a tough- minded narcissistic individual. He was a man set on being an exception to life's ugly stereotypes towards African Americans.
   
   Although the book does fall short in not talking about the deaths of two keystone figures in Lewis's life which was his grand pop and grand mom who were considered some of his greatest strength as a boy.
   
   Lewis and his two LBO's became a greater success than the famous "burning bed" blunder by the former First Boston Corp..
   
   Overall, you will find this book an entertaining read.



4. I was blown away by this book, more so for the similarities between Lewis and myself. I think he was proud of being black but I agree with him that its only an aspect of who you are. Americans as a whole, whether they are black and white tend to group successful blacks as some sort of exception, which is a done and TIRED story. Reginald is a man's man that did things his way successfully. Too bad his life was cut short no telling where he might of been and how much more successful he would have become.
   
   For readers its a look at an intense, fearless, determined, and extremely ambitious man who just happened to be African-American.



5. The Lewis and Walker edition of 'Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?' is one of the most well-researched and written books that exist from a partial business autobiography/biography standpoint. When you read (and study) this book you feel as if you know Reginald Lewis (Reg) personally. You felt that you have sat at the same table, in the same room, with the same true characters that made him the man that he was.
   
   Reginald Lewis was no saint. But, he was driven by passion and a determination to be the best. Walker (the co-author) has created many things within the context of this book: A bio, a blueprint, an academic view of business, a detailed account (diary) of a very accomplished man. But most importantly, Walker and Lewis together have created a great story. It's more than just mere inspiration, it's a book that when you're done, you will want to make Reg a member of your advisory counsel (the kind that motivates and drives you when their physical presence is no longer here). Reg is now a part of my advisory counsel - and he's given me good advice. Read this book regardless of your ethnic background because it truly drives home a point: We can all have fun!

5 comments about Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story.

1. The life story of the 'inventor' of the rock and roll backbeat! Great insight on life in the 50's era of music in New Orleans.
   His success in LA as the premier drummer and his great down to earth language in reliving some of the times when he was in his prime.
   
   He and Hal Blaine are the reason so many of the record labels recorded in LA, and their ability to not only provide the beat, but many times either arrange or help arrange the tunes made Earl invaluable in the studio.
   
   A must read if your into the rock and roll history of the roots of the music.



2. If is fun for me to read first hand accounts of pop music - especially from people who are from New Orleans - who go outside of the Cresent City and make it big - etc. Earl seems to paint an honest picture of the people and places of his career.
   I will probably be reading it again. If you are a New Orleans' drummer - this book may be of more interest to you then anyone else on the planet.



3. I am a great fan of Earl Palmer and eagerly read the book. I was even lucky enough to get him to sign my copy at a jazz fest appearance.

   That said, this is a moving book chronicling his rise as THE New Orleans drummer to being the premier studio drummer in the world .

   Music is the background of this book-the foreground is more about Palmer's life, loves and career. Palmer is frank, unapologetic, opinionated and somewhat cocky.

   He discusses New Orleans in the 40's and 50's, race relations and the music scene from a first person perspective. Its refreshing and full of surprises.

   He moves on to chronicle his career in L.A.- how he comes into the scene- who he displaces and eventually how he gets displaced. Anecdotes abound about various sessions and gigs- though not as many as one might want to hear.

   What this book clearly is not is some sort of insight into technique or musical philosophy. This disappointed me at first - then I realized Earl can let the huge body of recorded work do the talking there. ( I have seen some video tape for sale where Earl demonstrates various beats and techniques)

   The book is a bit choppy and somewhat unpolished at times- but it makes up for it in frankness.- over time I came to appreciate that.




4. Earl Palmer is an incredibly important figure in pop music. His drumming virtually defines early rock 'n' roll, especially his recordings for the Specialty label in the 1950's.
   It was great to hear him talk about his early years and how he became such a major performer in the studios of New Orleans and Hollywood.
   It is also fascinating to hear him talk aout his desire to be a bebop drummer.
   As a result of reading this book I went out and bought a whole bunch of records with Palmer.
   Anyone interested in the roots of rock or in what makes a good drummer should read this book.



5. If you like behind the scenes stories of the old days of music, this is a book you'll like. Palmer has a gunfighter mentality that enhances his story, and a career that began back in the 1930's when he was a child dancer. He's experienced alot in his career, including the start of rock and roll. His explanation of the rhythmic changes that set early rock and roll apart from the music that came before it is fascinating. Palmer was playing in Little Richard's band and he noticed that Little Richard wasn't playing blues shuffle rhythms on his piano. Although the band could play a blues shuffle behind Little Richard and sound acceptable, as was the case on "Tutti-Frutti," the sound was better when the drummer and the band adapted to the rhythm that Little Richard was playing, as they did on "Lucille". Palmer doesn't know if Little Richard or Chuck Berry invented the rock and roll rhythm first, but he points out that Berry's band always played blues shuffles behind him, while Little Richard's band had a more modern beat. The records bear this out. I thought it was a fascinating explanation, and a cool insight.

3 comments about Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar.

1. This book is definitely well written and worth the purchase for not only parents, or even those of us who are fans of Mr. Kanye West, but also for all who would one day like to become a parent, as well as for anyone who is surrounded constantly by the appearence of the existence of persistent social and economic resistance (even on a daily basis).
   
   "Raising Kanye" is about love, motherhood, proper parenting, education, romantic relationships, family, music, traveling, politics, and so much more. I personally have learned much from the parenting and life lessons of God through Ms. Donda West; and even though I've never met my spiritual mother Ms. Donda West, or my spiritual brother Mr. Kanye West, I did learn that we attended the same church in Chicago, Christ Universal Temple; (realizing that) the world is indeed a small place in comparison and relation with the eternal being of God being One Love (as well as the betterment of the better of tomorrow and its' beautifully boundless beyond).
   
   Breathe...
   
   ... and a little longer.
   
   Now, believe... knowing that your mother's love is faithfully unfolding for you forever, however, in God's grace... STRONGER!



2. I think that this is a very good book. Ms. Donda West was inspiring to a mother raising a son in this period in history. She was practical, encouraging and frank. I feel that Donda's parenting techniques adds a dose of reality in today's society. She recognized the differences, yet affirmed her basic beliefs and standards for life.
   Congratulations Donda West, you pressure developed a jewel.



3. Donda West, English college professor, and unlikely mother of rap superstar Kanye West had some interesting points to make about parenting. She says she made sure that she raised Kanye to be respectful but also to be truthful -- hence his famous rant that George Bush doesn't care about black people. On the other hand, when Kanye fell asleep at the wheel in a car accident, the insurance company broker advised him to say he had been trying to avoid another car in order to get paid out. He refused to do that either. Growing up, she pretty much gave Kanye anything he wanted, in return for doing his chores and whatever else was expected. (I was surprised when she gave him $1,000 to buy recording equipment at age 13!) My biggest problem was that she had changed her opinion of the N-word and found it acceptable speech because words shouldn't have that much weight. Could that have ANYTHING at all to do with the fact that her son uses it alot in his music and she is involved in managing him? Hmmm. All in all, a fast entertainng read.

5 comments about Somebody's Someone: A Memoir.

1. The story of such an intelligent, creative, insightful, imaginative girl and the obstacles she was dealt in life alone makes for a great book. Add one of the most unique writing styles imaginable and it becomes a masterpiece. I can't say enough about this book. Get it immediately.



2. I wish I could have gotten the same understanding from this book that some others got. It is to me a hard story to follow. It has no continuity. The book was not as good as I thought it would be. I don't expect anyone to to agree or disagree with me on this review. I'm just expressing my thoughts about the book Somebody's Someone: A Memoir.



3. It wasnt at all what I thought. I really didn't like the writing- the ending wasnt great and I thought it could've had more details on foster care. As a FC worke I've seen things 1000x worse then the book. It really didn't capture how horrible the system can be.



4. This book is not to be missed, a must read for everyone. It transends all races, ages and genders It is the true story of hope and finding one's way through a hard unforgiving life.



5. Regina's memoir revisits memories through the eyes a ten year-old girl. She recounts her journey through foster homes and her quest to find a family that will love her. Regina's story is beautiful and tragic - a unique glimpse into the life of child determined to find her place in a confusing and indifferent world.

4 comments about The Trials of Phillis Wheatley: America's First Black Poet and Encounters with the Founding Fathers.

1. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s _The Trials Phillis Wheatley_ considers Phillis Wheatley's career through the eyes of her readers over two centuries, from elite Massachussetts whites who in 1772 quizzed Wheatley to determine if she, a young slave, had indeed composed the poems herself, to twentieth-century critics who find her voice inauthentic and too forgiving of her white enslavers. Gates' book is a longer version of the prestigious Jefferson Lecture, which he gave in 2002, and is a great introduction to Phillis Wheatley. Wheatley's writing career, in particular her mastery of the classical forms of eighteenth-century English prosody, is fascinating.
   
   Wheatley was kidnapped as a seven-year old from her home in West Africa in 1761, survived the terrible Middle Passage, and then was sold into bondage to the Wheatley family in Massachusetts. Nine years later in 1770, at the age of 16, despite lacking formal schooling and having only nine years exposure to English, she was a published poet. Two years later in 1772 she published a volume of poetry _Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral_, which was the first book of poems published by a person of African origin.
   
   What is so strong about Gates' book is his discussion of the impact of Wheatley's poems and how her mastery of literacy challenged the racist ideology of slaveholders and their supporters. Wheatley corresponded with George Washington and other luminaries, and the international sensation of her poems prompted Thomas Jefferson to critique them as being unoriginal. Gates argues that Jefferson's critique in _Notes on the State of Virginia_, grounded in racism and defensiveness, ironically shaped African American literature in its vibrant, sustained critique of Jefferson's claims by contemporary and later writers, such as David Walker, William Hamilton, William Wells Brown, Frederick Douglass, and many others. Gates concludes his book by discussing how Wheatley's reputation slowly changed in the nineteenth century, mainly due to interpretations of one poem, "On Being Brought from Africa to America." Gates writes that for a number of readers, "the paragon of Negro achievement, was now given a new role: race traitor."
   
   Gates' work presents an excellent, readable overview of Wheatley's career by drawing from the breadth of existing scholarship. He makes a strong argument that Wheatley needs to be read with an awareness of late eighteenth-century history and understood for her vital contribution.
   
   Two criticisms of the book: First, I wish Gates had also published Wheatley's poems, which are expensive to purchase and not widely available in bookstores, and then made his work an introduction to the poems. Second, on a related point, I wish that Gates had interpreted more poems. Wheatley's poems are rich with transcultural underpinnings and insights, and it would have been wonderful to read more of his explications of her work. Her work can be challenging for contemporary readers unfamilar with the conventions of eighteenth-century poetry.



2. Gates' book places the writing life of Phillis Wheatley into a context that should prompt readers to reexamine popular condemnations (past and present) of her credibility and literary merit. This text is a refreshing reminder that we readers have a responsibility "to learn to read Wheatley anew, unblinkered by the anxieties of her time and ours. That's the only way to let Phillis Wheatley take a stand. The challenge isn't to read white, or read black; it is to read. If Wheatley stood for anything, it was the creed that culture was, could be, the equal possession of all humanity. It was a lesson she was swift to teach, and that we have been slow to learn" (89-90). This book is a quick read and would be an ideal text for instructors.



3. In 1773 a young woman burst onto the literary scene. And what made this particular author a sensation? The young woman in question was Phillis Wheatley, an African slave writing poetry in English. Her slender books of poems was a literary first, causing critics to mutter.

   Brought before an panel of eighteen learned gentleman of the time, Phillis Wheatley proved that persons of African descent could think, read and write works of literature. For a few brief years, Phillis was a author known to both the colonies and Europe, think Oprah, think Alice Walker, think Maya Angelou of her day. Sadly, with Revolution at hand, her literary career stumbled with Phillis and her only surviving child dying much too young.

   But that was not the end of Phillis Wheatley. Her surviving works have endured and been subjected to levels of awe and loathing in the centuries since her death. In some camps, Phillis Wheatley is a mother of the slave narrative, in others a sell-out, an Aunt Thomasina making her then masters happy.

   Author Henry Louis Gates, Jr does a wonderful job of looking at the literary life of a much loved and much reviled author. The only jarring point? The covers of this fine volume are much too close together, THE TRIALS OF PHILLIS WHEATLEY was a quick read and I found myself sad to have the book end.




4. Mostly a summary of the literary career of Phillis Wheatley, a teenaged slave, born in Africa and later bought by John and Susanna Wheatley of Boston for less than ten pounds, who would unknowingly kickstart the African American literary tradition with her "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," published in 1773. Described by Gates as "the Oprah Winfrey of her time," Wheatley defied the conventional racist wisdom of the time by proving that people of African descent could write poetry and produce European notions of Art. Gates does a good job of tracing the trajectory of her work throughout the years following her sad demise (her poetry would grant her manumission, but she would die free, poor and alone at the age of thirty). Gates' main critique in the book is of the unfair criticism he feels critics of the Black Power Movement gave her, by questioning her "authenticity" and accusing her of being "too white." He ties this in to Thomas Jefferson's criticisms of Wheatley some two-hundred years earlier, who dismissed her poetry as bad enough to prove that Africans indeed were inferior to Anglos in the arena of "reason." Citing a recent poll suggesting that "acting white" was aligned with "speaking standard English, getting straight A's, or even visiting the Smithsonian," Gates uses a bizarre logic to make his ultimate point: "In reviving the ideology of 'authenticity'--especially in a Hip Hop world where too many of our children think it's easier to become Michael Jordan than Vernon Jordan--we have ourselves reforged the manacles of an earlier, admittedly racist era" (p. 84-5). Whether one views Jefferson's or even Amiri Baraka's criticisms of Wheatley's poetry as remotely similar, Gates' little book does a tidy little job of setting up for the reader the historical processes and miracles that allowed for Wheatley to publish the poems (--good or bad--it's up to you to decide!) that initiated the African American literary tradition.

4 comments about Hacker Cracker: A Journey from the Mean Streets of Brooklyn to the Frontiers of Cyberspace.

1. Hacker Cracker is a technological thriller for all us geeks, hackers, and security students/professionals in the world. Ejovi details his rise from a dangerous neighborhood where drugs, murder, and gangs ran rampent tothe discovery of a whole new world where it didn`t matter what color you were, only how smart you were. At times I felt as though I was reading parts of my past, the beauty of the baud, discovering warez chatrooms on AOL, and doing things to explore and find more out about this world of cyberspace. Definitly a great read for anyone who has seen the underside of the computer world.



2. The first part of the book deals entirely with the authors plight of growing up in a very rough area of town and the struggles that he faces with on a day to day basis. Apart from the first 4 or 5 pages, which contained a fast moving account of what happens when a rogue Chief Technology Officer gets sacked, for the first 71 pages I was wondering whether a differnet book had been slipped inside the jacket of hacker cracker as there was no mention of computers at all. The story was still pretty interesting though. Eventually he gets round to his first experience with computers and his encounters with hacking and the addictiveness of it all. Eventually the story ends up with a moving account of being at the site of the twin towers on 9/11 and a very touching part about a strange whistling noise (which I won't explain as it is a bit of a spoiler). An easy read and not really the usual hacker biography type book. I think this is partly due to the fact that the author is assuming his readers are not technical as some of the explanations (IRC for example) are very basic and some are almost "media stereotypical assumptions" of what really goes on.
   As the theme of the book is the struggle to overcome and make life a lot better for his family, the target audience for this book is increased beyond the geek and I think even my mother would like this book!



3. Ejovi Nuwere is from Bedford Stuyvesant a neighborhood in brooklyn he comes from somewhat of a brokenhome doesnot really know his father and has a mother who does just about anything in the world for her children but she is a drug addict and has Aids he lives with his grandmother uncle and brother and numerous others that hang out at his grandmothers apartment were something is always going on.

   He faces the struggles most other intercity kids face with the gangs,drugs poverty and violence but he seems to pick up on the fact that the gangs and drugs are a losing way to go.In one part of the book while he attend a school for the performing arts he ends up joining a gang just for his own protection but it seem a somewhat differant type of gang besides the violence they where teaching the members. While in school he had a few brushes with some basic IBM computer but when he hooked up with the principal and asst. principal who had apple mac he started to develop a real interest in computer and this interest was fed by the uncle who also lived with who had a computer and would let Ejovi many 10-14 hour days on.
   Along with another computer hacker he had met in school they begin getting into hacker chat rooms and learning and developing their skills and trying to make a name as is the thing to do in the hacker community.With his knowledge and desire to succede he ends starting to get jobs while still a teenager and as time goes on decides that full time may not be the way to go one thing for sure it does not pay the bills
   Alot of the computer hacking involves stolen credit cards and manufactured cards one story when Ejovi couldnot stand it and decided to buy his own computer with a stolen number and has the computer delivered to a run down building nextdoor and the FBI ends up coming was pretty funny story.

   This is a pretty good book about somebody having the drive and desire to succcede even living in tough and living through tough conditions and making it along the way he also takes up a form of kung fu.It was a little difficult at times understanding some of the computer stuff for a novice like me but there are definitions in the back of the book and he describes thing pretty good.




4. This is an amazing story of a young man who goes from nothing to something, using technology. After reading this I was inspired to do something with my life!

   If you like hacking, if you like feel good stories, if you like excitement, this book has all of that!

5 comments about Memoir: Delaware County Prison.

1. Pitiful. If you want a book that has no point to it and too many grammatical errors to count this book is for you.



2. I read Memoir: Delaware County Prison in a few hours. Reginald's story telling was straight to the point and fresh. However, I typically am drawn to books whose main character is at least sympathetic, and I found the author's experience to be extremely unsympathetic. At no point did I, the reader, feel that he was the least bit remorseful for what he did to get himself into this situation.Rather, he was just sorry that he got caught.
   We the readers are treated to a rainstorm of tears and homesickness, laced with his quest to find the right guy with the right feet. Nothing was ever right for this poor soul. It was too hot in E-Block, and too cold in the trailers..everything was too nasty and the food wasn't good enough so he opted to starve himself than eat what was given him.
   Everytime he was moved somewhere relatively better, he messes it up. There were a few intances where other inmates were trying to use him as their form of "release" and some even took a liking to him, and he used it to get what he wanted. But then, later, he complains that he can't understand why one day, the inmates like him, and the next day they don't.
   On the synopsis at the back cover, there is talk of drug dabbling and illicit sex..and I found nothing of the sort in the story. The author's narrative was however very entertaining and probably at times inadvertently so.
   Overall, I thought it was a good book; it certainly kept my attention. But, I love to read about people who I feel I can root for, and with him, I felt, "Let him stay his behind in there!"



3. This Book was very well written ,Reginald Hall takes the reader inside behind prison walls to experience life as he lived it, I really enjoyed this book, my only issue is that The author did not expose how Violent and brutal life behind bars really is, but I guess it was his personal experience that he wrote about,other han that it was a Very Good Book & I recommend it!Im half way thru his other book Smoking Ciggarets and so far it too is very Good!



4. Memoir: Delaware County Prison chronicles the months Reginald (a.k.a. Reg) has to spend in the prison for committing credit card fraud. The author doesn't give detail of the offense and I'd assume there was a prior offense because he was already on probation and a "detainer" by the probation office is the main reason he's confined for eight months, as opposed to a couple of days. I'm confused. So the question is: What was he on probation for? Was it for committing credit card fraud or something else?
   
   The memoir starts with his initial intake, goes through his perils of being gay and in prison and ends at outtake. Hall speaks of the incidents he was subjected to just for being gay (i.e., attempted rape, gay bashing, and assault). He also brings to light another interesting subject that seems to plague Black men - homosexual behavior while inmates. There were a few instances where Reg noted he had "crushes" on a few "straight" men and one ultimately led to a sexual encounter. However, the person he had the encounter with emphasized that he didn't "go that way" yet he went there with Reg. How scary is that?
   
   Memoir: Delaware County Prison reads like he has jotted down his memory of the incidents but without much detail. It misses the most important element - a plot. To have been written by a teenager, expressing his horrible time in prison, it's cute. The synopsis makes the book seem interesting; however, none of the subjects were touched upon. Had he given detail on his attempting suicide, taking drugs, engaging in other self-destructive behavior, along with "why" he was in prison it would have made for a more interesting read. But for now it's just - cute.
   
   Reviewed by Esther "Ess" Mays for Loose Leaves Book Review



5. In MEMOIR: DELAWARE COUNTY PRISON, author Reginald Hall painstakingly chronicles his sojourn as a prison inmate. Using a very clear, simple and precise writing style, Hall essentially unveils a story filled with all the nuances, innuendoes and uncertainties of prison life. More importantly, MEMOIR: DELAWARE COUNTY PRISON gives insight into the indignities suffered by an eighteen year old, who also happens to be gay, in an environment where machismo is the dominant culture.
   
   Hall's unobtrusive writing style adds an edge to the story, but this is blurred by his introduction of characters that are often superficial or one dimensional. The story never quite reaches its true potential and often the reader is left with the sense that there are exciting and at times dangerous possibilities lurking beneath the author's straightforward prose, which are never fully realized.
   
   MEMOIR: DELAWARE COUNTY PRISON is a valiant first effort for noted gay rights advocate Reginald Hall. He manages to capture the readers attention with the possibilities the title seems to offer, and it does have its bright moments. The story, however, would benefit from more attention to detail especially in the area of character development.
   
   Reviewed by Autumn
   of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

5 comments about A History of African-American Artists: From 1792 to the Present.

1. This is quite simply one of the best books I've ever read. As an avid reader, I do not make that claim lightly. What makes this book so remarkable is how Bearden and Henderson both bring the artists to life and give you a deep appreciation for their work.

   No other book I've read on the arts has left me similarly breathless. While many of them have been quite competent at explaining things like "Impressionism," "The Renaissance," or "The Harlem Renaissance," none have so beautifully balanced an explanation of the artist and of the artist's work. By bringing the people to life, Bearden and Henderson have brought the art to life. They have made a priceless contribution to our understanding of African-American artists, their work and the challenges they had to overcome to pursue their passion.

   This book is a must-have. It will deepen your appreciation of art and of the contributions that African-Americans have made to it.

   Katrina M. Walker




2. i had a class in college that used this book as a text book. ienjoyed it then, but it wasn't until later that i really had a chanceto sit down and enjoy it. information is good and the pictures are plentiful. this is a very nice book for anyone interested in african american art and culture. another book that i would like to recommend is called souls grown deep: african american vernacular art of the south, volume one. i bought it at an art fair in new york in late january. i'm not sure that it has been released nationally. i've contacted amazon in an attempt to get more info. i have it so i know it is out. this type of book (souls and the history...) are too few and far between.



3. This book is a great resource for teachers of American art or culture. Each chapter provides an interesting biography of the artist along with descriptions of his or her work. Students respond to the art more fully by knowing something of the struggles and daily realities faced by each artist. A great resource for teachers or for the school library.



4. This outstanding potrait of little-known, but great and wonderful African American Artists should be required reading for all fine arts programs... The depth of research is evident and this work, a work of Art itself, is to be treasured and placed within the archives of the world's great libraries and the homes of all of us who love and appreciate great art and "Great Books"!..Sylvia Rosario, President,Black Satin Collectibles - email: bmc@blacksatincollectibles.com



5. This book shows that white males have systematically excluded the voices of African American artists. Let's finally do away with white male hegemony and cowardice in the face of dissenting voices. This brave and courageous book explores white male racism, and we must be grateful. However, I would like to have seen an equal number of African American Women artists presented. I guess some of the old hegemonies remain.