5 comments about Home Was The Land Of Morning Calm: A Saga Of A Korean-american Family.

1. It took me months to track down a copy of Connie's book, but it was well worth it. Growing up as a second generation Korean American interested in becoming a journalist, I knew of very few Korean and Asian American journalists, especially women. I found Kang's memoir inspiring, detailed and well written. I read the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. There were so many moments in the story that I felt like she was talking directly to me. Even if you're not Asian American, the story is universal and explores the questions of identity, understanding, and growing up.



2. This is basically an autobiography of Connie's life. Very well written and insightful at times. She can look at Korean culture from both within and without. Overall, I'd recommend it.



3. It was difficult to finish reading this book. It's very boring, mainly because the writer seems so reluctant to reveal herself and her feelings. For example, she falls madly in love with her husband and suddenly they are divorced. Why she would write a memoir is hard to figure out. Since she is interested in a particular period of Korean history, she should have written a journalistic history book.



4. This is a fascinating work--monumental in scope and content. I would recommend it to all readers who are interested in learning more about Asian Americans and Asia. It should be a required text in secondary and college social science and literature classes. Connie Kang writes with insight and knowledge that is extraordinary.



5. This is my first book written about Korea. As an adopted Korean woman, searching for knowledge about my homeland has become central. Thus, from a friend's suggestion, I read Connie's book about her own life of displacement. Although she was born in Korea, she spent little time actually living within the boudaries of her own country. Her story begins several generations earlier from her own, chronicling the events that inevitably changed outside views of Korea, and also Korea herselve. More than just a lesson in history, it is a book so well written it sings.

   I recommend this book for anyone, no matter your cultural heritage. It is important that her story be heard, as a record of the struggles new immigrants experience in this country. Besides inspiring me to learn and do more about Korea, she has given me a good starting point to work from. I no longer feel as ignorant about my own people.

1 comments about Untouchables: My Family's Triumphant Escape from India's Caste System.

1. I just received this book and ended up reading the entire book in one night -- it was that enthralling. This is a true account of a Dalit ("untouchable") family in India. The author -- Narendra Jadhav -- born into a Dalit sub-caste, has recorded the journals his father had kept of his parents' resistance against ancient prejudice.
   
   Inspired by the Dalit leader, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Damu Jadhav (the author's father) finally had reached his limit on all of the indignities that had been thrust upon him by the higher-caste authorities. He refused to perform an unconscionable duty demanded of him by a village official; for this refusal, he was brutally beaten. This was the beginning of the family's quest for freedom. There are stirring accounts of demonstrations, led by Dr. Ambedkar, where Dalits (including Damu Jadhav and his wife) had demanded their human dignity. This account relates the Jadhav family's struggles, set against the Dalit human rights struggle.
   
   Finally the reader sees how the Jadhav family emerged in triumph, having escaped their onerous discriminatory conditions, going through all sorts of conditions to make sure that the children would all receive a good education. Dr. Narendra Jadhav grew up to became an esteemed economist and his brothers and sisters also became eminent in their fields of study.
   
   In the cities, prejudice against the Dalits has greatly diminished. Unfortunately, in India's vast rural areas, caste-based discrimination and violence continues to exist in far too many instances. This book lays out a foundation for ways to continue the fight for Dalit human rights.

1 comments about My Life and Battles: By Jack Johnson.

1. When Ali returned from exile to fight Jerry Quarry; his friend and cornerman Drew Bundini Brown yelled to Ali from ringside, " Ghost in the House". He was referring of course to Jack Johnson. Ali always felt a kinship; he felt that his life mirrored Johnson's. In this book the reader gets to hear Jack Johnson's stories from Jack himself. It gives great insight to a truly unique individual. Although the stories were taken from French transcripts, the author Christopher Rivers does a great job of translating and keeping them true to form ( or as true as Mr. Johnson wanted to tell). So the ghost is back and telling His story, His way.... Read it.

5 comments about From Rage To Reason: My Life in Two Americas: My Life in Two Americas.

1. I recieved the book very fast and it was in excellent condition.



2. for having the courage to tell your story about your rise from the projects of Indianapolis to being a member of a power elite. Yours is a story of struggle, guts and determination to make a name for yourself. Your interracial marriages did create a lot of controversy in the elite, for they don't accept the idea of black/biracial black women marrying elite, upper class nonblack men such as your husband.
   
   You made a name for yourself in modeling early on. I have to give it to you for having kept your face and figure, but that's not all. You have a mind of your own that sometimes conflict with the prevailing views of the establishment, which isn't too accepting of smart, assertive women like you. But then again times has changed.
   
   All I have say is that you rose above it all.



3. This is an autobiography so you'd expect Janet Cohen to present herself in a good light. She doesn't. Instead Cohen comes off as a very bitter, self absorbed woman who doesn't seem to have learned anything over the years.



4. Janet's book is very excellent, she deserves a standing ovation for a book well written. This book is so interesting and captivating. This is the first time, i have seen someone so clear-cut honest. Janet Cohen is a beautiful woman who deserved all the good things in life. She has broken down racial barriers like Oprah to become of the greatest African-Americans of this era. I strongly recommend this book to people who haven't read it.



5. This book is so mistitled on two accounts. First, I would agree with the reviewer below; "From Rage to Reason" was for me, too, "From Rage to Disgust." How can anyone who is writing their OWN story come off so nauseatingly unlikeable? The more you read, the more arrogant, self-centered, and disengenuous Janet Langhart Cohen becomes. Maybe it should be "From Rage to Sickenly Manipulative." Second, this is clearly not a book about "My Life in Two Americas." Her story is simply not about the experience of being black in America. Forget that she's white skinned with caucasain features, she is astonishingly and uniquely beautiful. Perhaps, in her case, the two Americas could more adequately be described as the "few privileged with astounding beauty and the rest of us ordinary-looking people." Now, I have a great admiration for beauty and nothing against a woman using it to her best advantage; we should all put our assets to their best use. But this woman has done nothing to help the plight, the image, the future hopes and dreams of anyone but herself. As the old saying goes, for some women beauty is the biggest disadvantage because they have no need or motivation to develope any skills beyond dressing well and flirting when necessary. Janet Cohen has not proved that race has been a disadvantage for her, only that beauty paired with selfish ambition can produce a hollow, grating, selfish personality. Her "blackness" is used as a convenient excuse when she doesn't get her way or people don't like. People don't like her, obviously, because she is unlikeable. This woman is a horrible role model for any young woman, black, white, or whatever.

5 comments about Soul Survivors: The Official Autobiography of Destiny's Child.

1. I READ THIS BOOK AND I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW GOOD IT WAS. IT TALKED ABOUT THE MEMBERS OF DESTINY'S CHILD AND THEIR LIVES AT HOME AS WELL AS ON THE ROAD. IT TALKED ABOUT THE MEMBER CHANGES AND WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. IT TALKED ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES WITH GETTING A RECORD DEAL AS WELL AS THE STRUGGLES WITH THE MEDIA. I REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THE MAGAZINES DONT.IT MADE ME FEEL AS IF I KNEW THEM. IF ASKED IF I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO A FRIEND I WOULD BECAUSE IT'S AND EXCELENT BOOK.



2. It is a great book. I definetly recommend it. It tells what happened with the group members, first kisses, boyfriends. I never ever wanted to read a book,{BECAUSE I AM NOT A GOOD READER} but when i got the book i couldnt put it down. I read it in one day and i am a slow reader. They didnt say anything bad about farrah, letoya, or latavia. I WOULD always recommend you to get the book, and it is worth every penny. You wont be disappointed. Also it tells about their childhood, with pics which is cool.
   
   P.S: You can have a opinion but dont hate, appreciate. Also u will probably hurt their feeling so dont say anything stupid.



3. the book is very good i want to read over and over again and i like how they put pictures in the middle of the book and they talk about their child hood but they talk to much about the break up but not the future and what they have accomplished as a group with out the other members but i would recomend this book



4. I enjoy Destiny's Child, and I thought it would be interesting ot read about them. It was a good book mostly, and you learn a lot about these three members, like their childhood, early life, school years, how they joined Destiny's Child, and more. What was strange to me was the title of this book. I really am not sure that these three rich woman who are famous all around the world are really "soul survivors". What did they survive? Sure, they lost three group members but that's about it. Another thing that bothered me was that the book was mostly Beyonce this, Beyonce that. She did most of the writing, or should I say talking because they just told their story to James Patrick Herman, who actually wrote it. Also, it seems like the book is mainly about her. So what, she writes their songs and is their (Destiny's Child) lead singer. It dosn't mean she should always get all of the attention! Overall, the book is great, but I think big Destiny's Child fans would like it the most.



5. The book gave a look into the lives of the group destiny's child and the women. I just don't feel it. I think the only way to be really honest is to have the ex-members tell there side a well. If it's not that way then you're really getting a one sided story. And I need to hear everybody's piece. I think they are talented and everything, but really you are just throwing away money if you get this. Money that could be in your pockets. Please do not keep slipping further into idol worship. This are just people. Some of ya'll need to really calm down. Some girl was going off. Like she was a friend of those girls. Just like she, said she don't know them personally either. So how can she try to make it like they are just survivors, no. They really honestly didn't lose anything. Everybody is picked, shy sometimes, and grows up without a father. Just because they are stars do not make there story more heart touching. I need to hear from everybody to know the truth. That's just me. So For all of ya'll obsessed crazy fans. Please, calm down. It ain't that serious, really. Remember they are just people, psychos.

5 comments about In the Black: A History of African Americans on Wall Street.

1. Great Book by an author who was born into the game and has the unique abilty to show blacks involvement with Wallstreet since day one.



2. You never know where you're going unless you know where you came from! I just started the book, and I wish my finance professors had incorporated this into the otherwise impeccable curriculum at Clark Atlanta. Very interesting read. Every person on wall street should read it, it's not only black history but AMERICAN history.



3. I found the information in this book very informative and surprising that black participation in finance went back as far as it did. Stories of black stockbrokers and mutual fund salesmen in the 1950's to the investment bankers of today, records the slow but meaningful progress made on the Street in the last few decades. Hopefully, the progress will continue....



4. This book was an impulse buy for me, I have always had little interest in Wall Street but my son works in the securities industry so I thought I would read this for some background. I am very glad I did because I did not realize how deep African American history in the financial world is. I enjoyed the stories of people like Philip Jenkins and John Patterson, early pioneers who deserve greater recognition for their contributions. I think that this book is an important contribution of both African American and Wall Street history and does a good job of illuminating aspects about the history of finance that went unrecognized for far too long.



5. This book fills in the missing pages of Wall Street's History. It documents how African-Americans overcame racism and other barriers to become successful in the financial securities industry. This should be part of every business school's curriculum.

5 comments about Hoop Roots.

1. May be the best novel about the inner experience of an aging athlete. An autobiographical novel by an accomplished writer and a complex man, Hoop Roots is a challenging read. Wideman demands something of his audience, a rarity these days, and those looking for a mindless basketball book will likely not be up to the task. As in his other books, Wideman occasionally gets carried away with his command of complex language, and some passages are a struggle even for the most commited readers. However, overall this is a first rate novel, by a first rate writer, on a subject with which he is singularly expert.



2. I had to read this book for a college course. Too bad for me, since it's the worst book I've had to read from cover to cover. HoRrIbLy boring, mostly incoherent, the book takes very promising themes and turns them into very stylish junk. Loaded with clichés and overused images. Blah, blah, blah, it goes on and on. If I wasn't being evaluated on it for class I would have stopped reading it after the first 15 pages. It's the only Wideman book I've read, and of course I don't plan to read any others, but if this is proof of his best work, I hope he is a better creative writing professor than his writing would suggest.



3. I had to read this book for a college course. Too bad for me, since it's the worst book I've had to read from cover to cover. HoRrIbLy boring, mostly incoherent, the book takes very promising themes and turns them into very stylish [material]. Loaded with clichés and overused images. Blah, blah, blah, it goes on and on. If I wasn't being evaluated on it for class I would have stopped reading it after the first 15 pages. It's the only Wideman book I've read, and of course I don't plan to read any others, but if this is proof of his best work, I hope he is a better creative writing professor than his writing would suggest.



4. If you think John Wideman's Hoop Roots is about playground basketball you may find yourself disappointed -- as I was.
   Wideman is a wonderful writer. When he describes a player's drive to the basket, gliding into the air, checking out all around him, you can picture the action and feel the the excitement. When he describes the social protocols for the pick-up game he nails it When he describes the early days of the National Basketball Association, including the unique challenges for Black players, you can see it and feel it.
   Unfortunately Hoop Roots contains far too few accounts like these. This book is about John Wideman growing up in a Black neighborhood in Pittsburgh, about his relationship to his family and in particular his grandmother, about Black athletes and Black men in America. Basketball, which has played such a key role in Wideman's life, is sprinkled throughout, often in bits and pieces that left me wanting much more.
   Wideman was a star high school and college basketball player. He came the same neighborhood as NBA great Maurice Stokes and other noted stars. He played highly competitive playground basketball until he was 59, long after he had become an award-winning writer. I had so many questions for him. What was it like playing organized high school and college ball compared to the playgrounds? What were his own experiences as a playground player? What were some of his most memorable experiences in the playground game? How did he ever play until he was 59?!
   Instead Wideman gives us long passages on the different routes he took to get to the playground as a youth, oversized shorts versus short shorts, and a fable about the Globe Trotters first road trip. It's all brilliantly written. It's just not about basketball.



5. OK, after reading the previously posted review, I admit that I am one of those readers who will read ANYTHING by John Wideman, regardless of subject- but I disagree that this book has too much roots and too little hoops. This book is fantastic. Wideman manages to discuss basketball- its history, its present, its future, and at the same time discuss race, love, music- all so eloquently that I often had to put the book down and absorb. The various stories of his family members make me wonder how John and his talented daughter Jamila managed to come out on top, when his brother and his son are so mired in tragedy. John Wideman is the best writer alive in America- I am convinced- and this book is an absolute masterpiece.

5 comments about Burnt Bread and Chutney: Growing Up Between Cultures - A Memoir of an Indian Jewish Childhood (Ballantine Reader's Circle).

1. A very different take on growing up Jewish in the United States. You won't find the usual lox and bagels stories here.



2. This is a very interesting book! Talk about your culture clash and your family secrets! Like many children of mixed cultural backgrounds, Carmit found it a bit difficult to fit into either. But it was more difficult because she was a minority within a minority, a dark-skinned, South Asian who "didn't look Jewish", and an Indian whose family had a different religion and different traditions from the Hindu majority. As a child, her grandmother makes her promise that she will always return to the Bene Israel, and she does.
   
   Her family history, too, set her apart. Her grandmother was betrothed to a man who turned out to be an alcoholic. This put an end to the engagement, but it also made her grandmother practically unmarriageable. Until her sister's husband offered to take her as his second wife. He treated her and her daughter very differently from the way he behaved towards his first wife, being abusive, forcing her to live in poverty while her sister lived in luxury. The family's condescension towards Nana-bai and her descendents continued into the author's generation.
   
   While I wasn't terribly impressed with the author's writing style (I thought she jumped around a lot, among other things), the book is well worth reading for an understanding of the difficulties of growing up in a multi-cultural household, of being "odd girl out", as well as to learn a little bit about this small, perhaps dying, segment of Judaism. I would, in fact, have liked to have learned more about Bene Israel, its history, how its practices differ from mainstream Judaism, but I guess that would be another book!



3. horrible, self-involved memoir, supposedly about growing up Indian Jewish American, but really about me me me. Nasty family skeleton I didn't want to know about from grandmother's generation. I didn't finish and threw it out - something I never ever do. I didn't even want to give it to the library.



4. The book itself was very unappealing to me and the text is rather bland. Overall the book was just not as well written as it could have been, sometimes contradicting and overworked. I would not recommend this book. Readers Beware.



5. This book was a wonderful read, and introduced me to the overlooked Indian Jews. Her descriptions of living in virtually a dual lifestyle were very vivid and educational to say the least. I look forward to more releases by Carmit Delman.

5 comments about The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad.

1. Sometime ago, I decided to writte a book about the Black Muslims of America, but, being french, I knew little about Black nationalism in the United States. Reading Evanzz was a gold mine that provided many insights on the Black muslims ; It is also so wide ranging and alludes to so many aspects of Black nationalism it is the perfect entrance door for that political aspect of the US black community.
   
   During my own research for the FBI archives as well as with local US newspaper ranging from 1930 to 1975, I was able to cross check and verify many information he provides : they were allways accurate. While he sometimes only alluded to acts of anti-white racism that seemed very important to me (the Zebra Killings for instance) I give him credit for mentionning them. He left no stone unturned.
   
   Evanzz Book is a thick, dense read. It should not be read as a novel but rather as an encyclopedia. Maybe my only critic is that he's a bit too fond of Malcolm X



2. That is all the author did was take declassified FBI records and wrote a book. Most of which the information about WD FARD and Elijah Muhammad were contradictory. Wish I had the time to elaborate. He should be ashamed of writing such. Sad.



3. Of all the literature I've read concerning the Elijah Muhammad, this is by far the worse. After only two chapters, it becomes obvious that Evanzz developed his analysis of Muhammad and the N.O.I. based upon data presented by the FBI, CIA, New York and Detroit police. Where are the interviews with Muhammad's family, friends, and business associates? Where are the excerpts from any of Muhammad's dozens of books? Where are the accounts from present or former N.O.I. members? Instead this book presents references from government agencies as indisputable fact. Anyone familiar with the clandestine workings of such agencies during the 1950's and '60's (i.e. "CoIntelPro") would surely be suspicious of such "information", and at least attempt to seek out other sources. Evanzz's account fails to make such an attempt and is so one-sided, that it offers the reader no opportunity to intelligently analyze Elijah Muhammad, his organization or those who followed him. This book is closer to "National Enquirer" material, than it is to informative, responsible journalism. Anyone interested in a well-written, balanced account of Elijah Muhammad and the history of the N.O.I., I recommend "An Original Man" by Claude Andrew Clegg III. It's a brilliant work and far superior to Evanzz slanderous writing. Don't waste your time or money.



4. Karl Evanzz wrote a fascinating account of how power corrupts in "The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad." Evanzz supported his biography of the man responsible for the enormous growth of the Nation of Islam with almost 200 pages of documentation. However, he clearly lost all objectivity toward the second half of the book. Yet, I found this true story to be a compelling one worth reading.



5. from SALAAM ALLAH NATION OF ISLAM, June 3, 2004,
   ministersalaamallah@lycos.com
   not wonderful at all this book is a disaster!
   what is wonderful about what is happening to the black nation today?
   the black man and the black woman freed slaves and that is all is
   supposed to believe that this awful idiot karl evanzzz has some clue
   as to what he is talking about of which he has NONE WHATSOEVER! now
   as more and more black american becomes homeless permanetly
   unemployed and unemployable filling up the jails and prisons and
   death rows of the wilderness hell of north ameriKKKa ......... and
   the rest of our black peoples karl evanzzz cares NOTHING about being
   sent off to foregin wars int he US military to die and come back to
   ameriKKKa to add to the rest of the list above etc... Somehow this is
   supposed to be 'wonderful' and if we just stop what we are doing read
   the lies and deciet of sonsyrea tate silly little book ' little X '
   or the late misleader ' alex hailey ' oh his Biography of minister
   malcolm shabazz and now the big 3 negatives books by the latest
   mental basket case 'karl evanzzz' & this is somehow going to do
   great 'wonderful' things for the black american who is still at the
   bottom of everything of hell we still suffer from at he hands of the
   worst ever peoples to ever rule with a beast savage madness on the
   planet earth ever ( just ask iraq ) MESSENGER ELIJAH MUHAMMAD taught
   right what was going to happen in the last days of the so called good
   ol' USA and where this was going! nothing 'wonderful' at all about
   this karl evanzz needs to write what his solution and solution(s) is
   for the black nation lay out his program and not KNOCK the greatest
   black leader of all time ever ........ MESSENGER ELIJAH MUHAMMAD
   peace be upon him those who think karl evanzz is so 'wonderful'
   should ask him to lay out what his SOULTION is for the so called
   american negro here in the wilderness hell of north america !
   ameriKKKa ! thankz for reading this correction to ' wonderful '

   Also recommended: MESSENGER ELIJAH MUHAMMAD MESSAGE TO THE BLACKMAN
   THE FALL OF AMERICA OUR SAVIOUR HAS ARRIVED HOW TO EAT TO LIVE THE
   JOURNAL OF TRUTH !- BY HIS BLOOD BROTHER! SUPREME MINISTER JOHN
   MUHAMMAD DETROIT MI.

2 comments about George Washington Carver: Scientist and Symbol.

1. This is a FANTASTIC BOOK. Facing the odds that he faced, and to accomplish what he did, provides an object lesson for anyone confronting tremendous odds. His ATTITUDE determined his ALTITUDE! THIS BOOK IS STELLAR AND INSPIRATIONAL! These are the types of narratives that need to be part of the curriculum, particularly in Black Schools, but also in other communities. These are the types of narratives that give Black people a great sense of pride, and a resolve to achieve. A first rate biochemist, he single-handedly revolutionized agriculture WORLDWIDE. He synthesized thousands of compounds,some only seen since the days of the Ancient Egyptians! The monies made off of his inventions are incalculable! His is a true account of what one man in difficult circumstances did in order to succeed. This book provides the reader with a deep insight into the mechanisms of the man, and his steadfastness in the face of obstacles. GREAT READ!



2. So long as Bart Simpson can say, "George Washington Carver is the guy who carved up George Washington." and so long as Black Americans are portrayed as lacking math and science aptitude, there needs to be publication about the importance of George Washington Carver. This book said many important things. For example, George Washington Carver was a credit to dark-skinned blacks because many critics at the time (and many people today) note that most famous or achieving Blacks were partially white. Also, this book suggests that the relationship between Carver and the famous black activist at the university where he worked did not always get along. Still, if Langston Hughes' biographer was criticized for downplaying Hughes' gay experiences, equal noise should be made here. The author repeats in several passages that no proof exists to say Carver was gay. Well, why would that be a concern? Who made the suggestion? Why isn't the allegation examined in more detail in this text? The author mentioned that Carver loved to give young men massages in peanut oil. Is that not considered homoerotic solely because it doesn't involve genital contact? This book was published a year after AIDS was discovered and when homophobia was at an apex. Thus, perhaps the author's avoidances can be contextualized and forgiven. Nevertheless, I find this book disturbingly heterosexist and I would avoid reading more works from this biographer.