1 comments about Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School.

1. A little girl whose father casually names all the stars in the various constellations can hardly help but reach for those stars, even if he's no longer a presence in her life. It's those early years that truly matter in the very special relationship of a father and his daughter. I know this for a fact, as my father and I shared a similar background.
   
   Ms. Lyles was named for her elusive father, and used his teachings as a springboard to a more challenging educational experience. Even though his presence wasn't a constant in her life, his love for words and books opened her young eyes to the world, and she never looked back.
   
   Her story proves that intelligence and education go hand-in-hand in creating an anachronism, such as she was while a teen-ager. Her early promise, however, was fulfilled many times over as she continued to achieve beyond what the rest of the world might have thought possible for this sassy, skinny Black kid from the projects of inner-city Cleveland.
   
   Her love for books and words prompted her teachers to goad her into continually improving herself, until at age 14, she found herself in totally new territory. A three-year scholarship to a private school (where all the rich, white kids went) meant she left her own home to live with a teacher, but still meant a bus-ride to the rural campus.
   
   Having learned at an early age that race was *Important*, she also learned that some things are only important if you let them be. Conspiracies could be found anywhere, if you looked hard enough to find them. Fortunately for the rest of us, Ms. Lyles decided to look beyond them and find the truth of a larger world. Granted, she had a lot of encouragement and support from folks she didn't know and had never met, but she also used her own store of gumption to push or pull herself to a higher plane.
   
   This wonderfully readable book is not only a non-pretentious biography of a graceful writer/poet but also a demonstration that gems are to be found in the most unlikely of places. It's also a great slice-of-life look at a world not very familiar to those of us who happen to be white, and from a different economic structure. If you remember--or even if you don't--the river that burnt or the Hough riots, your memory will be challenged by her view of these events.
   
   Follow along as she experiences the beginnings of the Black Power movement while still a pre-teen, graduates from Hawken and Smith College and takes her place in a world of letters, as poet, writer and editor.
   
   Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? is an inspirational story that should be read by anyone who can read, regardless of age or color or social position. For those who cannot themselves read it, a spoken version should be created so that no one is left out.

1 comments about A Man Called White: The Autobiography of Walter White.

1. I read this autobiography in college, and it took my breath away. White, who was executive secretary of the NAACP until his death in the mid 1950s, writes candidly of his work and life in the fight for civil rights. The book title is a play on his last name and the fact that his mixed ancestry left him with light skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. He used his appearance to help him get evidence in lynching investigations, and was successful because the lynchers thought he was white (being born and raised in Atlanta didn't hurt either!) The man was no saint (ditched his wife to marry another woman, a practice I don't endorse) but you cannot read this book without having some kind of change in your thinking on race relations--then or now.

No comments about Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-TradingDynasty in U.S. History.

5 comments about Gonna Do Great Things: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr..

1. This is an exceedingly well researched glimpse into the early, middle, and later life of the brilliant and God-gifted Sammy Davis Jr.- each period of his genius life very well explored. From birth onwards, SD went through stuff we never dreamed, and did stuff we never knew, but this book gives the whole story, warts and all. A very good read, full of fascinating insights and some tasty dish too. As a longtime Hollywood journalist myself (who had many interactions with Sammy) I found quite a few minor errors (Fishgall called Michael Cole of Mod Squad "Peter Cole",) but most people won't notice these, and will really enjoy this thorough look inside a truly amazing life. Congrats to the author!
   
   Barbara Sternig, Hollywood



2. I personally have not read any other book written around the life of Sammy Davis Jr. I was interested after all this time, for I heard so much surrounding such a well known and honored Entertainer. Reading this story at times I found to be tedious and boring, too many descriptors of movies, the theatre and surroundings in the environment of which Sammy Davis Jr. lived. The best part of this story in the last few chapters which captures the essence of ones personal life, unfortunately it surrounds the deterioration of a magnificient man. The story is well written and leads you to believe that the author has researched and thoroughly done his homework. I must say that I am very surprised at the lifestyle that Sammy Davis Jr lead and I feel for his loved ones, because this story of how he was and how he treated his family, his wives, is really terrible and they had to see and want something deeply to have stayed involved and connected to Sammy Davis Jr. I guess also that you have to understand the drugs and addiction and need for stardom to really understand how Altovise, May, his children and his close friends really dealt with him. Truthfully by the count of what this author has documented the only ones who truly benefitted from Sammy Davis Jr. legacy is the World who wanted to be entertained. Those who went to the theatre, to Vegas shows. His wives were just pawns and lived their lives through his status (never getting much from him) and his children, well I am surprised they refer to him as daddy, 'cause it seems as if he was just Sammy in their lives. Truthfully this book is really a very sad story of a man that was... did he really every love his family, it seems as if his only love was the Stage. I think that the author could have written less and got the point across....maybe his aim was to also get you to read the Autobiography, but it also seems like the author capture the essence of all the other material that has been written on this entertainer. I rated it a 3 for interest only, and there were probably 4 good chapters in this book. Authors writing ability I give him 2 thumbs up for research and documentation, footnotes etc... Content and interest to the avid reader, less descriptors and explanation of other characters. I felt at some points in the book that it was more about Frank Sinatra and others then Sammy Davis Jr.



3. i was a fan before i m a bigger fan now. excellent pacing beautifully written and really tells the story of a truly remarkable man i very easliy could have read this in one sitting but i savored every page. highly recommended



4. 
   
   This is the only biography I've read about Sammy Davis Jr.I am retired and though born about 10 years after him,it seems to me he was around forever.This biography jives exactly with how I saw his career over the years.The one great enlightenment I got from this book was the personal details;which obviously were new to me,and I suppose would be to anyone who reads it.Every page presented something new and in a very readible style.
   Davis did so much and interacted with so many people over so long a period that the author had a huge task to cover it all in such a short biography;I feel what he has done is a supurb job to say the least.
   The author makes you feel like you are traveling right along side as Davis pursues his life and career;what more can one ask for in a biogrphy?
   If you enjoyed Sammy,you'll surely enjoy this book.



5. . . .you'll enjoy this one as well. I wasn't sure I could take another Sammy Davis, Jr. biography so soon after Will Haygood's recent (and excellent) biography, but the brisk pacing and clear writing drew me in. Fishgall sticks to the major events in Sammy's life and doesn't go overboard with the historical background, but a clear picture of the man and his time emerges. I felt an inordinate amount of attention was paid to Sammy's later years and television appearances, but I appreciated learning more about his children and his third marriage. If you can only read one, read "In Black and White." If you're still interested, read Sammy's own books, and include this strong, fair biography.

2 comments about A Matter of Law: A Memoir of Struggle in the Cause of Equal Rights.

1. Judge Robert Carter gives a blow by blow account of the legal fronts of the civil rights struggle: the personalities involved, the infighting among them, the battles won, lost, and nearly neglected. Brown v. Board is well-told elsewhere, while other struggles receive overdue attention (e.g., the battle for the NAACP to preserve its member lists from scrutiny by officials striving to break the organization's back).
   
   Carter perceives himself as the uncharismatic technocrat of the struggle, an unheralded leader in a fight who was unceremoniously jettisoned from its core despite his impressive contributions.
   Accordingly, his account is that of a dutiful documentarian, rather than a labor of love, and the writing suffers for a dearth of passion.



2. When reading about the history of the NAACP's and the Legal Defense Fund's struggle for human rights, we tend to hear more about Thurgood Marshall and not enough about Robert Carter, who was a integral part of the fight. After many years, Robert Carter has shared his perspective with us.
   
   Tales from Carter's childhood and schooling are simply stated. Given the discrimination and hardship with which he grew up, these tales are more aptly labeled, "simply understated. His accomplishments through adversity are clearly laudable, but we don't get all the detail we would hope for. He does discuss a falling out between Marshall and him, and he also discusses grabs for power as Thurgood left. However, we don't get this level of detail on the cases.
   
   Regardless of the level of detail, this is a very informative read. I would recommend that anyone wanting to know more about our continuing struggle with civil rights should read this book.

No comments about African-American Firsts: Famous, Little-Known and Unsung Triumphs of Blacks in America.

No comments about Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave.

1 comments about Bricktop.

1. I bought the book for a friend Yve Evans thet was playing Bricktop in a stage play. It was very helpful. Yve enjoyed the book and it helped her better understand the woman she was playing.....

5 comments about A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr..

1. This set of Dr. King's sermons/speeches is a dream come true. To hear his powerful words coming from his own mouth is so inspirational. I'm really glad I purchased these. Arthur Dunklin, Ph.D.



2. It's hard to believe Martin Luther King was 39 when he died. His eloquence can be heard in his famous speeches but the fullness of who he was, his spiritual depth, can only be heard in his sermons. These CDs are inspiring and profoundly moving. He is one of the greatest American preachers of all time and the greatest in the twentieth century.



3. I have had A Knock at Midnight in book and cassette tape form for many years, and at least twice a year I listen to them. The sermons are timeless, and make clear that we were in the presence of greatness when Dr. King was alive. Listening to this CD truly is inspirational. I have given them as gifts for years, and always receive heartfelt thanks.



4. What a blessing to listen to these sermons of my brother in Christ Dr. King. Never throughout my life did I hear these. Why?
   
   America, wake up!!! You are a great nation, because of the freedom bestowed upon us by none other than Jesus, the Messiah (Christ).
   
   And those people, brought here as slaves (believe me I've heard it ad nauseam going through school, but just listen), have helped make us a great nation!
   
   Now listen - we are ALL slaves - every one of us. To who? To ourselves!
   
   If you think I'm a religious zealot - absolutely, freakin' not. I am a former slave, that's all. No more, no less. Saved by the blood of the Lamb. And now filled with the love of His Spirit, and loving my fellow man, regardless of color or background.
   
   I look forward to meeting you in heaven Dr. King!
   
   (Let's pray for Dr. King's constituents, that they would come to know the Lord, and love all, black and white, and gain God's strength as Dr. King did.... and keep loving one another, faults and all - 'cause we know we all got faults, but our hearts should be turned towards perfection! Thank you Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords!!!)



5. The sermon series is awesome!!! Each sermon has an introduction that gives the listener valuable tidbits about the sermon. You can feel the effect of MLK's powerful oration abilities. All of the sermons are still relevant today and anyone who has a pulse can benefit from listening to the set.

2 comments about Tuskegee Airman Fighter Pilot: A Story of an Original Tuskegee Pilot Lt. Col. Hiram E. Mann.

1. The reader shall find a very thorough, detailed and thought provoking piece. Lt. Col. Mann has paved the way for individuals like myself to have had unlimited opportunity in the military, and unlimited opportunity to pursue my dreams of aviation both in and out of the military. I am proud to share with those that read this review, that I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, Licensed Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor. A heart felt thanks to you Lt.Col. Mann, and your fellow Tuskegee Airmen. Thank you Dr. Coggins for your lifelong commitment towards our education. A PHI...



2. This riveting book on Lt. Col. Mann's life provides a clear sense of personal achievements and the military battles that he and fellow pilots experienced during World War II. The epistle are a source of hope for overcoming prejudice and discrimination. A must read for all...