5 comments about Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend.

1. I enjoyed reading this book for its delineation of the history of reconstruction Virginia, its investigation of who John Henry was and what tunnel he really dug or died in, and for its picture of the history of railroad building in the Appalachian South. These are the real strengths of the book.
   
   The author is not a folklorist and spends little time talking about the exact evolution of the songs or their dissemination. That might matter to a folklorist like myself, but will not appear at all to be a deficiency to other readers. He writes clearly, with interest, and pays attention to aspects of the labor and racial history that most people are unaware of.
   
   More than that, in sketching the 20th Century history of the song he provides a rather clear picture of the origins of the "folk music" milieu that I haven't seen written down anywhere else, only suggested in discussions among scholars. He also touches on the changes in the John Henry image as it was taken up by the Stalinized Communist Party of the 1930s and shows us how this John Henry was an ancestor of Superman and similar comic book superheroes.
   
   The book is much more entertaining and intriguing than my review suggests. Especially at the remaindered prices, this book is a great deal. Read, learn, and enjoy



2. This book will probably be the standard reference for quite some time regarding the historicity of John Henry and for giving a short overview of the various cultural-political strains that have contributed to the dissemination and variety of the "John Henry" songs. Despite criticism of Nelson by a certain Alabaman named Garst, Nelson's methodology is the superior of the two, and all you need to do to confirm that is to see how Garst's obejections(found on various sites including a review right here on Amazon)have been scaled back by Garst himself in the face of pointed criticism by others. Nelson's knowledge of nineteenth-centry railroad technology shines throughout the book, and his connecting the early blues with trackliners' songs deserves more attention in the future. All in all, this book is to be recommended, and it is no surprise (or fluke) that it has garnered numerous awards. I only with that Oxford University Press would issue paperbacks like this and Lawrence Levine's Black Culture and Black Consciousness (a classic if there ever was one) with surdier covers--covers that didn't curl and edges that didn't fray and split.



3. As someone interested in history, the South, civil rights, and folk songs, I loved this book. The author starts by tracking down evidence to propose a candidate for the original John Henry who inspired the song. The author then fills in the details of what John Henry's life after arrest was probably like based on court, prison, and railroad records. Certainly, this part is speculative, as some reviewers have complained, but there is no reason a priori to expect that John Henry's experiences were significantly different from the norm. Besides, the discussion of the horrifying conditions the railroad builders and workers endured is eye-opening. Much of the latter portion of the book discusses how the song spread and the meaning it had at different times and to different groups. The author obviously did extensive research and creates a fascinating portrait of how a song mutates to suit current times.



4. Although I am a Civil War aficionado, I have rarely read about what happened directly after the war. However, this book has changed my reading habits!!
   
   From the time I was a child, I had a special affection for the John Henry songs and "legends". Well, I had no idea he was REAL-- flesh and blood! This book not only brought him alive for me, but the research and presentation was EXQUISITE. Dr Nelson -- in my eyes you have done a tremendous job of bringing alive not only JH, but the terrible wrongs done to thousands of African-American freedmen (and women) in Richmond, by the corrupt "Freedman's Bureau".
   
   By reading this book, in my mind's eye AND ear, I could see the men and women who toiled in the often brutal conditions, to dig tunnels and build track. I could almost hear the weird and wonderful chants that helped lay the track and ease the brutal conditions and physical pain that these people, mostly (wrongfully convicted in many cases) convicts endured, usually until they dropped dead from the years of toil and/or silicosis.
   
   Could that photograph of a John Henry (page 46) in Bealton VA (not that far from Richmond) really be him? Truth is stranger than fiction - perhaps we ARE looking into his smiling face. And one question I have-- how does the Smithsonian REALLY know which bones are his? (maybe I missed something)
   
   The author's narrative, interspersed with highly pertinent photographs AND song verse kept me riveted to this very complex and highly interesting book.
   
   The book's narrative gives great detail to that era in Richmond that John Henry lived, as wel as the "white house" by the tracks (Federal Penitentiary where so many of these Freedmen were wrongfully incarcerated) and as it winds past John Henry the individual, it reveals the highly pertinent correlation with those railroad songs handed down by word-of-mouth and then collected and sung by the like of people such as Carl Sandburg, folk singer as well as poet, Pete Seeger, Burl Ives.
   
   The book then shows how the John Henry story and ballads found their way into art, and life as well - expressed in the artwork and subject matter in Marvel Comix; expressed in the song and art of striking workers, the WPA, Karl Marx, the Communists and Socialists in America in the 1930's, the "radical and liberals of the 1940's", the Black Worker Protest Songs -- and more.
   
   Of great interest also was the way the South incorporated (and the way it did NOT incorporate) black history regarding John Henry and other related Afro-American folk heroes and song into its school textbooks and library books back in the 40's and 50's.
   
   I borrowed this book from the library -- but I was so impressed with it that I bought one for myself. I want to do my own research (in fact I'm playing some CD samples from Amazon right now, having to do with John Henry and word of mouth folk songs) on these ballads, and those who sang them as well as those who still sing them today.
   
   I cannot find any fault with this book. The fact that I am now hooked on the John Henry ballad and all the history (past AND present) that goes with it is proof enough of this book's influence.
   
   Does Dr. Nelson have a web site that relates to this book? I guess that's one more bit of research that I will undertake!! (I hope he does!)
   
   PS- the "Gandy Dancer's Gal" on page 131 is a tremendous summation on canvas, of the strength and hardships, as well as the joys that were part of these track workers' lives.



5. Race relations are a complex issue, this book was an interesting survey of the issue, following an American Legend how it was molded and re-molded to fit the view of the teller at the time.
   
   The book isn't a novel, and possible starts a little slow but I felt picked up really well by the middle of the book.
   
   Overall a great history book that looks at history in a interesting way.

1 comments about Easter Rising: A Memoir of Roots and Rebellion.

1. If you've read "ALL SOULS" you need to read this book too. Also, if you ever have a chance to attend a reading by Michael, GO!!!
   This description was was done by the publisher...
   MacDonald's first book told of the loss of the author's four siblings to the violence, poverty, and gangsterism of Boston's Irish-American ghetto. The question "How did you get out?" has haunted him ever since. This narrative of reinvention begins with the young MacDonald's first forays outside the soul-crushing walls of Southie's Old Colony housing project. In greater Boston and eventually New York's East Village, he becomes part of the club scene, providing a 1980s social history and a powerful glimpse of what punk music was for him: a lifesaving form of subversion and self-education. Yet family tragedies eventually draw him home again, to a devastating breakdown induced by trauma and guilt. He meets his father for the first time, as a corpse. Finally, two trips to Ireland, the first as an alienated young man, the second with his extraordinary "Ma," are healing journeys unlike any other in Irish-American literature.

5 comments about Chief Bender's Burden: The Silent Struggle of a Baseball Star.

1. As an avid reader of many baseball biographies, Chief Bender's Burden is at the top of my list as one of the best, well-researched books I have read. Mr. Swift has done a marvelous job in chronicling this baseball Hall of Famer. If there is a baseball fan on your Christmas list, I would strongly recommend Chief Bender's Burden - it will not disappoint. As Mets Hall of Fame announcer Bob Murphy would say "A must for your baseball library".



2. "Chief Bender's Burden" by Tom Swift is a great story, well written about a Native American baseball player turn of the century into the middle teens of the 20th century. He played for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and they were world champions for a number of years. Bender was a big game,money pitcher who was at his best in pivotal late season and post season games, ie ( Lew Burdette, Milwaukee Braves; Curt Schilling Arizona d-backs, Boston Red Sox). Baseball was truly a national pastime then, where every community with enough people to field a team, had one. Swift does a great job trying to be accurate in every detail. However, it was the era of Grantland Rice and other great writers whose descriptions were the only reports, other than box scores, of the games. Swift includes fantastic examples of their writings. A compelling read about baseball and society during that time in our country.



3. This book was a delight to read. It is both informative and entertaining. Although it is a work of history it is a very easy and interesting read. Tom Swift has done his homework as the book is filled with many details describing the life and times of this hall of famer. I recommend it to all fans of baseball history and eagerly look forward to his future works.



4. This is the best biography I have read. It provides important details about an player important in baseball history, and also illuminates the history of many Native Americans and how they were assimilated into society in the late 19th early 20th centuries. This is one to purchase and keep.



5. A great book on an early 20th Century forgotten Baseball pitcher who is in the Hall of Fame. "Chief" Bender was one of the mainstays of those early great Philadelphia A's teams. This is a about a native American player who excelled in Major League Baseball in spite of all the racial comments, taunts and low expectations of Native Americans. There is information about his days at the Carlisle School. Tom Swift also uses the racially charged quotes from the papers of those years to demonstrate what he had to live with. His real name was Charles and like Baseball in those days everyone had a nickname some weren't too flattering like "Chief", "Rube" and "Dummy" While this is not a movie where the character has flashbacks of his past, Tom Swift starts with the 1914 World Series game 1 in which the "Chief" lost and continues to go back to that game leading off of many of the chapters of the events surrounding that game. I don't understand by discussing all the racial sterotypes on the man why then does the author keep going back to that same unsuccessful game? To me it is slamning the man all over again. If you can get past this stupid movie technique then the book is a worth while read.

5 comments about Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove, from Cocaine to Foie Gras.

1. The story of Jeff Henderson's life held my interest from cover to cover. He overcame tremendous odds to obtain his status of executive chef. It shows what hard work and determination can do for someone.



2. I paid $6.99 for this title and it was worth it. An entertaining read with overall tone of redemption for Chef Henderson. My only problem was the crude language he used. His use of racial epithets in the early chapters to help us understand his formative beginnings is fine. It's understandable.
   
   But Henderson's use of "white boy" to describe Caucasians throughout the book is racially offensive. It smacks strongly of ignorance and bigotry. It almost appears if Henderson feels he has some sort of special license to demean Caucasians and that's just unacceptable.
   
   Work clean, chef!



3. Cooked, was a very interesting Story of a young black man that went from selling drugs to becoming a Chef. this is the story of so many of our young black men in America, that have nothing to look forward to in life but...making fast money by selling drugs. When they find out that this is not the way, it is to late. my hat is off to Mr. Henderson for sharing his story with the world. I enjoyed his book very much, good luck in every venture that Mr. Henderson take on. I would recommend this book to every young person to read.
   
   Edie Raspberry



4. I loved reading this book. I liked the story and also the way it was written. Absolutely amazing. I can recommend this book to everyone. I hope a lot more people like Jeff will have the strength to change for the better.



5. This is a very good book and an encouragement to those who have "fallen" and want to get back up again. It is an extraordinary story about someone who had a desire to make something of himself and how cooking was the way to accomplish this desire. He worked hard, studied and was determined to go all the way to the top and did his best wherever he went to work. Even joined the Toastmaster's Club to learn how to speak in public. This same principle can be used in any profession. I would recommend this book to anyone.

5 comments about I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography Of Nina Simone.

1. I received this item in perfect condition, shrink wrapped in plastic and in only a few days. Given as a gift and enjoyed greatly! Thank you.



2. It is true that this book is not well written and seems to have been put together on the quick without any professional editing. My guess is that it was written as a means to make a fast buck. That said, the autobiography is worth reading because it is the only real glimpse many of us will ever get into the psyche of Nina Simone. I read that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1960s and this was kept secret until well after her death. I don't know for a fact if she actually had bipolar disorder. However, it is evident from reading her life story as told by her that she did have emotional and psychiatric problems. She made rash and erratic decisions for her and her daughter and her life seemed to be filled with self imposed chaos. She was an angry person, was always running from some thing, and blamed anyone and anything but herself for her unhappiness and problems. Most surprising to me was how she was always looking for someone, usually a man, to save her. I had no idea before reading this book that Nina Simone struggled so much with low self esteem, fear, hate, and erratic behavior. Her music is so powerful and she comes off as such a strong and solid person. That is why this book is worth reading. Compared with her music and stage persona, the autobiography shows a different side or Nina Simone. With the two combined, the reader realizes just how complex and even tragic, Nina Simone the woman was. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know a little more about Nina Simone. She is an imperfect human being and this is her account of her life



3. This was a great book. We read it for our book club and everyone enjoyed it. It was also easy reading.



4. Delivery-time of the book was really short. Thanks.
   Great book from a really great artist.
   
   Greetings,
   
   Frank Debruyne



5. This book was good in that it was concise and to the point (unlike the bloated, rambling autobiography of Miles Davis)-- and that's a good thing, because 176 pages is about all of Simone that I could handle.
   
   The book was written for an American audience, but a lot of the usages/ spellings were British English, and that became annoying.
   
   The quality of the photos was very poor-- One comes away from this book with the impression that it was done in a very seat-of-the-pants way.
   
   1. She seems to think that every thing that went wrong in her life is the fault of America. So, she did not pay attention to where her money was going during the time that she was performing and duly got ripped off. But that has something to do with America and the establishment.
   
   2. Ego! She's been known to call herself "Dr." Simone-- on the basis of having been granted an honorary degree. She also talks of being able to play "hundreds of songs" and reviews herself in glowing terms-- but her songs are distinctly not even as technical as, say, something done by Ray Charles.
   
   3. Not the sharpest pencil in the box! Can you imagine someone that marries a man AFTER he beats her to a pulp and then has no memory of doing it? Can you imagine someone that talks about socialism as something that was a good idea-- in a book that was published AFTER the collapse of the Soviet Union?
   
   4. Very needy/ emotionally unstable. Someone dancing naked at a club? Passing over many other men to find a married man that she thought was going to leave his wife for his piece on the side? Huh? Huh?
   
   Not worth more than $5 (I bought it second hand) and one afternoon of reading time.

No comments about The Hardest Working Man: How James Brown Saved the Soul of America.

5 comments about Nigger : An Autobiography.

1. This book can be read on many levels. A frank personal confession and introspection, clever allegories that teach life lessons within one man's journey, and a critical indictment of a man's bitter outlook toward the unfair world bequeathed him and an absent father he could not make peace with.
   As much as he wants to be angry and justified in his rascist resentment toward White America his life bears out the fallacy of blaming others for one's ultimate outcome. It seems that deep down he understands that where we are is not all we can be; too many factors remain in our control.Therein lies the sweet pain of this book. Sometimes we get lost in the depth of our own sorrow and fail to see the possilities left to us.
   
   Gregory grew up w/ the dream of being a comedian, maybe intuitively undestanding that humor can be a chatharsis for pain. He grew up in stifling poverty but w/ the youthful ambitions of everyman. I found his ambition and resolve and self control admirable. The book can be read as a chronicle of as a youth becoming his own hero, w/out any positive role models, a young black man trying to forge a career in show business, or it can be seen as an allegorical commentary on that period of time; 1950's-mid 60's.I am terrified that in today's politically correct atmosphere this book will be banned or at least the title will be changed. When that happens the cause of free speech and education will be set back 50 years. Words are an expression of thought and when words are controlled and feared then thoughts will be stifled and the message of this book will be kept from so many young people who desperately need it. Please buy this book and read it.



2. Nigger by Dick Gregory *****
   
   Nigger is one of the most uplifting and positive books I have ever read. It is the story of Dick Gregory's life. From living in Squalor's in the south with no electricity or heat, no coats in the winter or backpacks for school, and a bed he shared with six other brothers and sisters, and a father who ran out. Being born a black man is hard enough but being black in the 1950's and 60's was impossible. Gregory took the impossible and turned shrugged it off. Becoming a world class comedian and one of the highest paid black entertainers in history.
   
   He would go on to fight for civil rights not just for blacks but for everyone. Color never mattered to him it was the 'impossibles' that did. Gregory is a true hero and "Nigger" is and essential read for anyone interested in a great read, or looking for a real heroin.



3. I LOOKED ALL OVER FOR THIS BOOK AND YOU WERE ONLY ONE THAT HAD IT. THANKS
   
   
   
   TERI ANN GARCIA



4. I was attending a prodimently white Junior High School in Brooklyn, NY, at the age of 11 yrs. when our English requested our standard essay. I was reading Dick Gregory's "Nigger" at the time and decided to base my essay on his book. When the teacher reviewed all of the essays, she returned mine to me with an A+, and asked me read it before the class. While initially, the black and white students were at best awed by the word "Nigger", they totally embraced my essay. You see this was a liberal white school, and being in NY were open-minded. I will never forget my black teacher, Mrs Ford nor the liberating experience to read such a controversial essay during the time - 1961.



5. Dick Gregory was a track star, first class entertainer and civil rights supporter. But before each of those, he was a black man. Being a black man was never an easy thing, but Mr. Gregory had the misfortune of being a black man who grew up on "relief" (i.e. welfare) raised by a working, black single mother in a white man's world. His prose is wonderfully direct and honest to the point of discomfort. Nigger : An Autobiography would be required reading in every high school in America if not for its controversial title. In a perfect world, Dick Gregory's memoir would be judged by its content and not its cover, as he was judged by color and not character.
   
   Gregory never glorifies his accomplishments into distortion. This is not the story of a hero. He was a very small player in a civil rights movement filled with brave men and women. Though a nationally recognized high school track star, he faded in college althletics at Southern Illinois. He was not a name comedian like Johnny Carson, Jack Paar or Richard Pryor. Failings in his business and personal life are well-documented. His is a more typical black experience than Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King or Magic Johnson. It is story reflective of millions of northern blacks born in the 1930s and who come of age in the 50s and 60s. Nigger : An Autobiography is the best autobiography I have read, bar none. Because I cannot hope to match the eloquence of Dick Gregory, this review will conclude with his own words.
   
   "It's because we grinned when he wanted us to grin. We cried when he wanted us to cry. We've spent money when he wanted us to spend money. And we've done without when he said do without."
   
   "He owns all the missiles in the world, and when he talked to you about owning a switchblade you become ashamed."
   
   "He started all the wars, and when he talked to you about cutting somebody on Saturday night you become ashamed."
   
   "He makes me feel small. He calls me everything on the job but my name, so I'm aggravated before I get home."
   
   "Then he tells me about my education. Well, if it takes education his-style to produce a clown that would throw dynamite in a church, I hope we never get that."

5 comments about Dr. Dre: The Biography.

1. This book is a chronicle of Andre Young's life, better known as Dr. Dre. It is a book written to inform and tell a story, rather than just re-count the life of a hip-hop legend. I recommend this book to anyone who looks beyond the music to the motives and the characteristics that make a Producer create music the way they do, or where they get their inspiration from. The book follows Dr. Dre through his life, beginning with a little background about his troubled life through high school, and ending with the current status of his record label, Aftermath Records. It gives a glimpse into the very personal life of this amazing producer, which is rare for any producer in music as to the nature of their work is in the studio for most of their days. It talks about his affiliations with record labels, the hardships he faced with the women, labels, friends, enemies, and death of his younger brother. This book is a must read for any Dr. Dre fan and is a must for any aspiring producer or current producer who looks beyond the music.



2. DR. DRE is the life story of the rise of a prolific hip hop producer and his struggles to succeed in the ever changing music industry. Ro attempts to share with readers Andre Young aka Dr. Dre's life from birth until now.
   
   Born on February 18, 1965 to teenage parents, Dr. Dre's life was not an easy one living in California. However, his mom and stepfather provided a safe environment, but could not truly motivate Dr. Dre with his education. They purchased him his first mixer and found music was his motivation. From his early days as a DJ until his becoming a Grammy awarding winning producer, Dr. Dre has had to deal with change in the industry standards and even the violence he rapped about as part of NWA. He also dealt with tragedies such as the death of his brother Tyrell. Included in this biography are bits and pieces of a more personal Dr. Dre including his numerous children and the change his marriage made in how he viewed music. Impressive was the ability to chronicle how Dr. Dre rapped about life in the streets when he wasn't from the streets in the sense of being a gang banger or dealer, as well as how the hip hop changed from gangster rap to lyrics of excess and a lot less shocking in its nature.
   
   Ro's biography of Dr. Dre seems inclusive, but at times stiff and jagged in its delivery. The life story seems to be based on information already reported in different mediums with little coming from Dr. Dre or others involved in his life. I would have liked to have seen a smoother flow of the biography where it didn't seem years overlapped and clarity of when some things took place. Although some readers will appreciate the dissection of the lyrics, I was more interested in learning something new about this producer who has produced the likes of hip hop legends and some of the new generation of hip hop. Even though I learned Dr. Dre had to deal with a lot of malcontent in the music industry, I wanted a more personal read about the man and what truly made him successful. This is a good showcase of the history of hip hop.
   
   Reviewed by Cashana Seals
   of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers



3. First of all I'd like to say i love this book and that i have followed dre's career since the days of NWA.. I know a lot about his career but this book focused on his personal life before music and behind the scenes while he was making hits. It goes into his creative process for making hits and what his session players do. When a new character is introduced, that person gets the spotlight put on them with a little mini biography as well.. Warren G(dre's little step brother) plays a part here as well. This book also goes into detail about why Rakim and King Tee's albums were shelved.. The only problem i had with the book was a few facts were twisted as well as quotes. For example, Suge Knight's exact quote on stage at the 1995 Source Awards was misquoted and Daz's part in the making of DOGGYSTYLE wasn't included.. I wouldn't take a star away from the book for those reasons.. I recommend this book to any dre fan or music fan.. You will definately look at him different after reading this. For better or worse.



4. this Book is a Good Chop on Dr.Dre's career as the Best Producer in Rap Music History period. Dr.Dre has often been a Mysterious and often a quite figure despite all the controversy that has often been associated with him,but make no mistakes about it, Dr.Dre is as close to a forrest Gump figure in Rap Music history as you can get. He started out with World class Wreckin crew,but His first real claim to fame was with NWA. NWA were the Sex Pistols of Rap Music and any other Musical figure that was considered a Outlaw Bad Boy type. NWA changed the whole landscape of Rap Music forever with there debut Album 'Straight outta compton". there impact and effect is still felt on Rap Music to this day. Dre's Beats and trademark Synth Grooves with the Low string vibes are part of his formula along with catchy past Hooks and grooves of yesteryear that have made him the Quincy Jones of Rap Music. and as a talent scout He is the Man who Put Snoop Dogg and Eminem truly on the Map with his touch. Ronin Ro does a really good job at chopping and creating a Book that flows really well. Dr.Dre is One of the Most Important Musical Figures over the past 25 years. also add in the fact that He was part of Ruthless Records which was Owned by the Late Eazy E,and then Dre Help Form Death Row Records and then his own Aftermath Records. either as a Artist,producer, CEO and conceptionalist Dr.Dre has had a strong hand in creating so much that has taken Rap Music to the next level and that makes the Man a Trail-Blazer of his time this Book covers his personal losses,his drama with Ruthless,Death Row and Sug Knight also his battles within the Politics of the Music Industry and being a Black Man. a Good read.



5. Ronin Ro is probably perferct for hip-hop journalism since his style of writing seems to borrow the sampling technique found in most rap music. If you've followed Dre's press career, no matter how sparse, you'll quickly realize that most, if not all the quotes in this book, are "samples" from other magazines. Like an expert hip-hop producer, Ro chops up all the press and then brilliantly re-arranges it all into a coherent and remarkably seamless story. While a lot of biographies do this, they don't pull it off to the extent that Ro does.
   
   I am grateful that this book brings all of those previously disparate pieces under the same roof. Having the puzzle finally put together reveals a man who really had to fight uphill to become the Producer that he is today. In a lot of ways, according to this book, Dre's rise to fame seem destined, but destiny sometimes seems to have taken the rockiest road.
   
   If you haven't followed Dre's career closely, or if you simply don't remember the reportage of Dre over the years, than this book will feel fresh or, at the least, a re-fresher on the years spanning the life of hip hop's most noted producer. And in someways that's the danger of this book: because it pulls so heavily from pre-existing interviews, there's nothing really new to be presented here. But that's hardly the fault of the author, since Dre, being press shy, probably will never give a biographer any new material to work with. And maybe all that there is to say about Dre's past has been said before, and the most we can expect than is a creative narrative and Re-mix of those words.

5 comments about Happy Birthday or Whatever: Track Suits, Kim Chee, and Other Family Disasters.

1. The shipment was out to me in a couple of days! This book is awesome, too! Thanks!



2. It's hard enough for a kid to absorb and become part of American culture. This book provides a glimpse into Choi's attempt to master two cultures. Choi's memoir is both very funny and thought provoking. She has a wonderful storytelling style - she lets the characters dish out the plot with "kettles" of unabashed humor. I haven't read a book this quickly in years.



3. The book was hilarious, I couldn't put it down. All the situations that she describes in the book are just great. It made me feel better that I'm not the only one with a crazy family, especially since I also come from a Korean background. The book def puts a smile on your face and if you want more she keeps up a blog, so check that out too.



4. I have a Korean mother, and an American father. I was raised in as much of the Korean tradition as possible, and often thought my mother was out of her mind. Having American friends, I would see how their families and mothers were and thought that my mom was just neurotic and out to make my life miserable.
   
   Annie's book is so well written. I felt that I could relate to everything she wrote. By reliving vicariously through her words, I was finally able to see that my family dynamic was not about control and disappointment, rather more about love and wanting the best for me, albeit in a very strange, stressful, mind game sort of way.
   
   Annie says on page 196: "Though we hate to admit it, we care what our family thinks; we've been brainwashed to seek approval and obey, just like the rest of Korea's children." I've repeated this line again and again, and not one of my Korean friends (and siblings) haven't laughed out loud at the funny, but very true statement.
   
   You will fall in love with Annie's family. You will adore her mother. You will feel like you know her in some strange way. This is probably because her spoken English is written as is, and you feel like she is talking to you. If you have a Korean parent, you will laugh at how the English language is somewhat butchered, yet that you are able to read and understand every bit of broken English, mispronounced and incomplete words. You will laugh at the different logic that cultural differences bring, and you will find yourself in stitches over the similarities that seem to be universal in the Korean family dynamic.
   
   This book is a joy to read. It is side splitting funny, and not dull for one second. You'll start reading and not put it down. Then you will go through withdrawal when you are finished. You'll find yourself ordering copies for friends of similar backgrounds, and referring to over and over again.
   
   Annie is comical and quick witted. I only hope that she will continue her memoir into the future.



5. hilarious and heartfelt, Annie Choi's book made me laugh out loud, and explained to the rest of the world what it's like to grow up Asian American or specifically, with nutty but loving parents who can barely communicate with you. Except in "Engrish" that is. However, the funniest thing she has written in my opinion was her "Open Letter To Architects" which is not in this collection. Good stuff though.

5 comments about Not Even My Name: A True Story.

1. What an amazing story!! I would recommend it to all my friends.
   
   This is the first book I read on this subject matter.
   
   It was a very emotional read for me as my paternal ancestors are from this part of the world, and they themselves lived through the same hell.
   
   What a strong and amazing woman Sano Halo is!!
   
   Too bad the human race doesn't learn from these tragic events, or doesn't care to.



2. Extremely well written and oh so true! Many of us heard these stories from your yiayias (grandmothers) and/or mothers who experienced the exile of Greeks from Turkey. Women, desparate for a better life, would willingly marry whoever to get out of the turmoil and economic depression of their countries. Well worth the read.



3. This poignant memoir written in such astonishing detail is an unforgettable story that will capture the reader from the start. Sano is like a small but sturdy flower growing in the most unlikely and least advantageous of garden spots. In her we see goodness and love survive heart rending loss and the cruel displacement of senseless war. I could not put the book down once I began to read it.



4. This is not a book to read if you want to be cheered up, yet I will never forget the story. I wept off and on reading of the author's mother's experience on the death march. I have traveled to Greece and Turkey twice yet had no knowledge of the genocide of the Pontic Greeks. I thank the author for the courage to live through her mother's amazing journey as she told her unforgettable story.



5. I am also of Pontic Greek and Assyrian origin. Even though our lands were taken away, our people still exist, we still maintain our language, and the gospel is still spreading which is a blessing. I am glad to see someone wrote a book on the Greek/Assyrian/Armenian Genocide. The Turks tortured and massacred millions of Greeks, Assyrians and Armenians. I am happy to see you raise more public awareness about this. I pray for the Greeks, Assyrians and Armenians still living in Asia Minor that deal with constant persecution for their Christian faith. Great Book Thea!