No comments about Slavery Remembered: A Record of Twentieth-Century Slave Narratives.

5 comments about Milestones: The Music And Times Of Miles Davis.

1. Re-read Review: I still consider this a great source of information but the writing style is horrible. Chambers uses $5.00 words like "lugubrious" as adjectives all over the place. Good writing speaks to the reader in every day speech. Who the heck uses words like lugubrious in every day speech? And his use of adjectives doesn't make sense. "the lugubriously titled Miles Smiles"... What? Why is that lugubrious (mournful)? Or describing the melody of Paraphernalia from Miles in the Sky as "doleful". What? I think Chambers is probably in need of a good anti-depressant. I also fail to see why it is necessary for Chambers to give HIS opinion of the music that was recorded or performed. I could not care less what Chambers or any other Miles biographer thinks of the music. That is NOT the reason I read these books, I'm in search of information so that I can understand the guy's music and his career. I don't care what the writer thinks of the music, it's a waste of typset and ink.
   
   Original Review:
   Yes, this is THE source for information on Miles Davis' career. It should get five stars but there is a major sticking point for me. The book pretty much sticks to the musical aspects of Miles' life and it is chock-full of great information about line-ups, tours, recording dates.
   
   I love all of Miles' work from his days with Parker until the day he died. It ALL has its place. Given that, I have a very serious problem with this book. Chambers is incredibly biased against Miles work from In a Silent Way onwards. He delivers many judgments about some recorded performances a "failures". He has very few positive things to say about this period. His comments about Big Fun and On the Corner (now considered far ahead of its time and a masterpiece) are inexcusable. He claims any listener to the music on Big Fun will find it frustratingly boring. Speak for yourself Chambers, Big Fun was the very record that got me into Miles Davis. If it's so lousy, why is it still in print in both a 24 bit remaster AND SACD? Chambers describes "He Loved Him Madly" from "Get Up With It" as "monochratic" and asserts it is incapable of sustaining the listener's interest. What? Again, if it's so boring, why is "Get Up With It" still in print and beautifully remastered 27 years after its initial release? SOMEbody is buying this stuff. We know who we are ;-)
   
   I believe most folks don't read a book like this because they want a critique, they want information and perhaps insights from the folks who were there, playing the music, producing the music, etc. The information is here in this book, but the reader has to put up with Chamber's shallow opinions about Miles' later work. His comments about the Cellar Door gig with McLaughlin are ridiculous - especially given we can now actually hear much of those performances on the Cellar Door Sessions and that this was an incredibly good band with or without McLaughlin.
   
   Chambers also prefaced this new edition with a long diatribe about Miles' last decade, calling him "Freaky Deaky" and making lots of plagerism complaints, i.e. Miles ripped off many of Chambers accounts and stories to create his autobiography. That may be a very valid point but I didn't buy this book to read about that sort of thing. So what, Chambers is upset that an old man who always claimed to have a poor memory used his book to recall some of the instances of his own life? Pathetic. Chambers forgets that he's made a handsome profit off of the life of Miles Dewey Davis. If Chambers felt he just HAD to include it, then it should have appeared as an epilogue not as a prologue full of sour grapes.
   
   If you want to learn a lot about Miles, this is definitely THE book to purchase, but ya sure have to endure a lot of the author's sour grapes and subjective, snotty criticism to get the goods.



2. 
   The best book on Miles Davis and one of the best jazz books ever written. Originally published in two volumes, the first half covers Miles from his birth up to 1960, the second half since 1960. The book is a bio-discography and centers around Miles's recording sessions. Full session details are given along with excellent commentary by Chambers.
   
   Chambers knows what he's talking about when it comes to the music (a lot of jazz biographers are shaky when dealing with the actual music involved). Additional biographical detail is related as the book proceeds chronologically - club dates, personnel changes, business deals, troubles. It's a fascinating, detailed, and authoritative account of the life and career of Miles Davis. Definitive and a must-have book for anyone at all interested in Davis or modern jazz in general.



3. A fine book.
   But Chambers is also slightly upset, I think, that Quincy Troupe got to work with Miles on his autobiography and not he -- and what Chambers' book is missing is exactly the kind of personal material (and voice) you find in Miles' autiobiograpy ("Miles").
   The best thing about this book is the discussion of the wider context of Miles' music and performance ("the times"), but without Miles own voice it degenerates through the end of Part Two into a kind of annotated discography (mind you -- that's not all bad -- it is accurate and gave me a few ideas for out of the way purchases).
   So, I recommend reading both this book and "Miles", for a complete picture.



4. This is probably the best book about the life of Miles Davis I have found. I have read his autobiography, the biography by Carr, and So What along with a couple of other Miles books. This one simply gives the best detail and most interesting about the artists life. If you want to read a book about Miles Davis start with this one. It is quite lenghty but there weren't many dull moments in Davis's life.



5. Jack Chambers has done a very hard task and that is to present the life of the legendary Miles Davis to readers in a very interesting, yet complex style which was reflective of the way Miles Davis led his life and music.

   Miles Davis was the premiere jazz musician of his time along with John Coltrane, Charlie "Bird" Parker, Herbie Hancock, etc, yet while you can love Davis's music, to know the man was very hard to do, since Miles Davis was a standoffish and sullen individual. Chambers describes Davis's behavior as being sullen and hard to know because Davis's was a very shy man. I am sure that Davis lived a tough life because of injustice, yet it is sad that he didn't trust his fans and those who cared for him. Davis certainly lived the life of a "star", he over-indulged in sex, was an abuser of drugs, and had split personalities later on in life, yet his musical vision was almost always focused and clear, whether it be in the pinnacle of his talent (1950-1962), or his creating fusion (1967-1973), or the later part of his life.

   Chambers does an excellent job of detailing the relationship Miles had with his fellow musicians such as the love-hate relationship with Theolonius Monk, the admiration and jealousy between Coltrane and Miles, as well as Miles being a mentor to such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock, John McGlaughlin, Chick Corea, etc.

   I am a tremendous fan of Miles Davis jazz visions, I love his music and his musical style, yet after reading this book I feel sadness because I don't know if I pity Davis or just not liking him altogether, or admiring him no matter what, his final years were spent in paranoia, suspicion and feeding his ego, that is sad because if he would of just relaxed and enjoy his fans admiration I believe he might have lived longer. Anyways, this is an outstanding book and is highly recommended to all jazz lovers and fans of the immortal Miles Davis.

1 comments about Washington's Decision: The Story Of George Washington's Decision To Reaccept Black Enlistments In The Continental Army, December 31, 1775.

1. I thought the book was great and very well written. The author has a distinct style which is very direct and to the point. He makes his argument and presents the facts in a very valid and direct way. I am used to history books that are often long winded and focus on drawing out only a few facts. Mr. Charles takes the approach of laying all the facts on the table and telling it the way that it is. Again very well written and a nice change from the norm of "put you to sleep" history books.

No comments about BLING BLING: HIp Hop's Crown Jewels.

4 comments about Git Off the Porch! And Embrace Your Destiny.

1. I have had the pleasure of knowing Willie Crawford for the past few years and must say that he is one of the most inspiring human beings that I have ever know. Willie has a unique ability to overcome every excuse in life and instinctively know how to consistently achieve the high goals that he sets for himself. Willie Crawford's story is the ultimate proof that hard work and a positive mental attitude is all you need to overcome failure and recreate the life that you want for yourself.
   
   Joanne Mason
   [...]



2. First, I need to be straight and honest with you...
   
   Willie Crawford is a dear friend.
   
   But don't let that admission color your opinion of this review. This book is important -- and belongs on your bookshelf.
   
   Why?
   
   Because this inspirational book explains in detail how a man can conquer any adversity placed in his path!
   
   I bought this book for not only myself, but for my daughter. I want her to see, not only from my example -- but from the example and lessons of "Uncle Willie" that she is FREE. She decides her future. No one else.
   
   She can be FREE of government. FREE of an employer. FREE of even a spouse. She can help herself to anything she wants in life!
   
   Buy this book for yourself. Buy it for your kids. Buy it for your loved ones.



3. They would never make a movie based on this book because it is simply too good to be true. Yet this one is true -- and incredibly inspiring.
   
   The book itself is an easy read (and I might add that it was one that I did not want to put down). Coming from a background that would doom most people to a life of poverty, Willie has managed to succeed -- in spite of incredible obstacles -- in several areas, to include the United States Air Force and in business.
   
   I had the pleasure of meeting Willie at a conference where he was speaking. Quiet, unassuming, and incredibly people-oriented, Willie is simply an incredible individual who gives back what has been given to him. And now that his autobiography is available, everybody should read it. If it doesn't inspire you to be your best, then you need to check your pulse and call a mortician.



4. Git Off The Porch is a typical 'Willie Crawford' book: nice and gentle story telling style, mixed with valuable information that lead to the 'Guru'-status Willie has today.
   
   A must have for everyone who wants to become successful, because Willie has taken the hard way to discover what it takes and that's what he writes about.
   
   Beside that, you will have a nice 'insight' in the different stages of the life of a poor boy and how he managed to establish himself as an expert in his field. Remarkable story that also teaches you how a hobby could grow into a six-figure income.
   
   Recommended wholeheartedly!
   
   Case Stevens

No comments about Swing That Music.

1 comments about Jim Beckwourth: Black Mountain Man, War Chief of the Crows, Trader, Trapper... (Revised Edition).

1. Elinor Wilson renders honorable credit to legendary frontiersman Jim Beckwourth. Always recognized in early western history literature, the general consensus is that Beckwourth's word was worthless. The author justifiably debates this issue by including many other documented reports of the times to support and verify his accounts for the most part. One can almost agree that early western tales were, well, tales with twists to them. Events did get exaggerated by everyone at one time or another, still do.
   A member of Ashley's 1824 fur trapping brigade, living with and becoming a Crow Indian chief for several years, exploring many parts of the west, locating a pass into California for emigrants, trading endeavors, shopkeeper in several western locations, etc.
   An energetic and entertaining glimpse into a forgotten hero of the west.

5 comments about The Best that I Can Be: An Autobiography.

1. Rafer Johnson, to me, exemplifies the perfect American athlete. Besides winning the 1960 Rome Olympics Decathlon in record points, he also won gols at the 1955 Pan American Games and took silver medal at Melbourne, AUS Olympic Decathlon! Rafer was known for promoting special olympics, and won numerous awards for sportsmanship over the years! Mr Johnson was one of those few in every million or so that truly set and still sets the standard of what being a true American, athlete and humanitarian is all about!!!!!!!!!! Rafer excelled in high school in football, averaging 17 yards a carry, batted .400 in baseball, averaged 17 points a game in basketball and averaged over 9 yards a carry in football while in high school. But Rafer's specialty was track and field. Going to UCLA, Rafer was offered a scholarship to play football but his real love was track and field. His high school coach took him to a decathlon meet near where 2 time decathlon winner Bob Mathias lived in Tulare, CA. Rafer told his coach:"gee coach, I could have beaten most of those guys there"! Rafer took on and beat such greats in the 50's as Russian decathlon whiz Vasily Kuznyetsov and fellow UCLA teammate and later his arch rival in '60 Rome Olympics CK Yang. Mr Johnson was flag bearer for USA Team in '60 games and also lit the torch at '84 Olympics in Los Angeles Games. Mr Johnson also acted and has done much in his lifetime promoting great charatible events and things for America's youth and good sportsmanship!!! Rafer Johnson is about the best example, to me, of an American, a true American and sportsman. A real leader, sportsman and humanitarian now and always!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has always and will continue to always inspire my life and millions of others the world over now and forevermore!



2. I was so glad to learn that you've finally come out with a book, Rafer! I have always been fascinated with your decathalon vs CK YANG, and wish that there could be more films and pictures (book) just on the 1960 Decathalon, alone! I remember old tv ads with you in them years past and your roles in TARZAN movies. I knew from watching you that you would always be my life's role model! The "new" generation we live in today has so much technology and modern tech toys; but something "REAL BIG" is lacking! True greatness and love of (SPORT) for the love of it, from your heart, and not big money! Men were real men then, and athletes were real athletes! I have always dreamed of meeting you in person oneday! You and Ethiopia's ABBEE BIKILA were, are and always be two of my all-time favorite role models and athletes, forever! Sure wish that more could be done and written(pictures and films) of 1960 Olympics, especially the decathalon and marathon! You're truly a "great" man, and a "fine" american athlete of our time and the 20th century! write more books soon!



3. It was nice to learn about what has happened to Rafer Johnson over the years. The Best That I Can Be was a wonderful reminder of a marvelous athlete and competitor from years past plus an added bonus of hearing Rafer's incessant optimism and enthusiam. Gold Medalists come and go but few do so with the class and human decency that Johnson has displayed over a long period of time. If ever one is looking for a role model who demonstrated overcoming adversity with a smile on his face, it was Rafer Johnson. I only wished I had read this sooner.



4. I grew up hearing and reading about Rafer Johnson all of my life. Track was never a sport I paid much attention to before Johnson. He made it bigger than life for me, as Tiger Woods does for golf. A few years ago I was introduced to Rafer and was stunned to find him remarkably shy and guarded, very much unlike the dynamic man I saw as an athlete. I could tell that he was warm, but very, very careful. It wasn't until I read THE BEST THAT I CAN BE that I understood the man, that I understood how much one's background can flavor an entire lifetime. This book not only gave me his remarkable story, it left me with an insight that I carry with me everyday.



5. I was expecting much more from this book

3 comments about An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy (Black and African-American Studies) Volume 1.

1. The importance of this book cannot be overstated - it is still the most exhaustive effort to date to document every aspect of the black American condition, from medical history to birth rates to the black church and social clubs. Myrdal systematically shreds the institutions of segregation and racial indocrination. As for providing groundwork for changing these systems, however, he falls short. Myrdal is too vague in his theories of white morality and causation of black poverty and never draws solid conclusions. There is also no mention of actual contact or conversation with any black people - Myrdal fails to see blacks as much more than a palimpsest of the white experience. I think he would have done better to push the white psyche aside and interact more with the focus of his study. Ralph Ellison noted, "Can a people live and develop over three hundred years simply by _reacting_? Are American Negroes simply the creation of white men, or have they at least helped to create themselves out of what they found around them?"



2. Writing against the backdrop of WWII, Myrdal confronted the contradiction between the US belief "All men are created equal" and the reality that African-Americans earned less for the same work as whites, lived in atrocious conditions, died at an earlier age. He argues that if Americans had believed that God made some poor, others rich, this contradiction could have been acceptable. But because Americans believed "all men are equal," the fact that African-Americans were manifestly living in worse conditions lead US society to seek a justification in the doctrine of racial inferiority. This book grasped the contradiction in US society, and foresaw that change was imminent, but Myrdal did not see that it was those under-educated and overworked African-American men and women themselves who would form the backbone of Civil Rights Movement. He expected that the white elites in power would have to change in order for the situation of African-Americans to improve. One reason this book is relevant today is Myrdal's theory of cumulative causation, which suggests that government intervention will be necessary to reverse the tendency of white race prejudice to maintain a low standard of living for African-Americans. In days where economic theories attacking the logic of affirmative action are widespread, here is an eloquent statement of the logic behind the original ideas for affirmative action.



3. During the long course of our studies of social trends that undermine our collective humanity, we have frequently come across significant research studies that provide critical keys to our understanding. Such is the case with AN AMERICAN DILEMMA: THE NEGRO PROBLEM AND MODERN DEMOCRACY. The Swedish researcher Gunnar Myrdal, under a grant sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, produced this landmark study which was published in 1944 by Harper and Row publishers. Some fifty years after its publication AN AMERICAN DILEMMA still stands as perhaps the most comprehensive, and unsettling, analysis of America's relationship with its African members. At nearly 1500 pages, including footnotes and index, Myrdal's study is awesomely comprehensive. Disturbing revelation follows revelation as the scientist, trained in economics, explores every imaginable aspect of Negro life and at various times even proposes methods by which America might eventually relieve itself of its longstanding "problem." From the beginning of this country's history, at the heart of America's ethnic crisis lies the very real potential of sustained and systematic planning to manage Blacks as a material resource as opposed to human beings in all their potential. I will take this thought further to state that Myrdal's study stands as a virtual blueprint for a contemporary campaign to undermine the aspirations of the Black citizenry. The ultimate form of this repression can only be described as systematic genocide--by every definition of the word. By Myrdal's own words, his study is quite thorough, encompassing not only every aspect of Negro life but examining the varied attitudes of the dominant white majority.

No comments about Autobiography of Josiah Henson: An Inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).