Editorial Review

Malcolm X's searing memoir belongs on the small shelf of great autobiographies. The reasons are many: the blistering honesty with which he recounts his transformation from a bitter, self-destructive petty criminal into an articulate political activist, the continued relevance of his militant analysis of white racism, and his emphasis on self-respect and self-help for African Americans. And there's the vividness with which he depicts black popular culture--try as he might to criticize those lindy hops at Boston's Roseland dance hall from the perspective of his Muslim faith, he can't help but make them sound pretty wonderful. These are but a few examples. Read more

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Reviews (265)

eye opener
Mike Young obviously did not read the book.I read it 3 times and it changed my life forever.The book clearly states that it is the autobiography of Malcolm X AS TOLD to Alex Haley and if you had read the book yourself you would realize that Malcolm was simply telling the story to Alex Haley.He was too busy to sit down and write the book himself and predicted his own murder in the last pages.Maybe you, Mike Young, should take on the challenge of being a thinking human being and read it on your own with an objective mind and then come back and tell us your real thoughts.

People Can Change!
Simply, one of the most amazing stories of change ever told in the English language - and still one of the most mis-understood men in the 20th century.

A tribute to Black Manhood
Some books can change your perception, but only a few can wipe out age-old assumptions, and force you to rethink everything you thought you knew. The question of RACE is at the heart of the American society, and in this book, not only African-Americans, but Americans of all colors, black, white, red and yellow, will find themselves reassessing what racism entails, for Malcolm X life, is a poignant testimony of the black man's struggle against both individual and institutional racism.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    2. Afro-Americans    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Black Muslims    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    8. Historical - U.S.    9. Islam - General    10. People of Color    11. Political    12. Specimens    13. Talking books    14. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    15. Biography & Autobiography / Political    16. Biography: general    17. Black studies    18. Human rights    19. USA   

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Reviews (61)

Race Matters
Excellent look at race issues in America that apply today even though the book was written more tha a decade ago.

Race matters to Cornel West...
...because that's how he makes his money and fame. Without it, he'd be known for what he ultimately is: a poor charlatan posing as a "scholar."

Race Matters (Vintage)
Race Matters is an excellent book! Cornel West is a brillant man and one of our great leaders.This book is a must read for any one seeking knowledge and truth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Fiction/Suspense Thriller    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Minority Studies - Race Relations    6. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

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Reviews (26)

GET THIS and GIVE THIS to your favorite women:)
This is my FAVORITE book by Iyanla Vanzant because of:It's size(small enough for your tiny purse), its lack of preach-i-ness and how the index is organized by subject. I feel its a synopsis of all the subjects covered in her other books.I also feel the book is applicable to women of ALL cultures.You can use it as a daily guide or you can use the index to find a subject for which you could use guidance.

A great book for daily reflection
I can not express how insightful and helpful this book is! It really makes you look deep into the reason(s) why you thought you needed a book of affirmations in the first place. This book is perfect for those "why me" and "I really can't take any more" moments when you feel like life, and everything in it, needs to give you a break. If you're a woman experiencing a lot of change in your life and it seems like you just can't handle another crisis (or is it a crisis afterall?), this is the book for you. I carry it in my purse!

Touches a Point
Each time my spirt is down, or I'm going through a situation, I turn to this book.I hold the book in my right hand by its spine, fan the pages with my left hand to stop at randum. The passages I've read, I have felt its deep spirtual feeling and I understand its meaning.Then I reflect on my situation and the passage fits.It helps me to understanding whats going on.It uplifts my spirit to deal with my situation.It give me insight to view my problem from a different angle.It also assures me that what I am currently going through will end.I will get through it.In my view, its a powerfull book.I have read several other books by Iyanla, even watched her talk show (sorry that went off the air), but like the bible, I keep Faith In The Valley near by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Self-Help    2. Afro-American women    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. Audiobooks    5. English    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Lifest    7. Meditation    8. Meditations    9. Motivational & Inspirational    10. Peace    11. Prayer-books and devotions    12. Religious aspects    13. Self-Help    14. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

An award-winning biography of Martin Luther King Jr., a history of the civil rights movement, and a portrait of an era, Taylor Branch's Read more

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Reviews (32)

The origins of a revolution
This is the first of a trilogy of books on the civil rights struggle in the USA as centered around the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior. Covering the 1950s and early 1960s, this book lays the groundwork for many of the pivotal events that would take the civil rights movement onto the international stage and eventually legend. All the key characters of this movement would enter the stage of history here... Bayard Rustin, the gay, pacifist communist, would play a key role in organizing the March on D.C. LBJ, the master of the Senate, and then vice president would come to realize the need of the Civil Rights Act, as segregation was intertwined with poverty and to defeat one, he needed to defeat the other. Malcolm X would rise in the Nation of Islam, paving a path to glory and his eventual death. And the central character that bound them together; the Reverend Dr. King himself, would change history by trying to tie together the lunch counter sit-ins, freedom rides, marches, and legal debates into one cogent movement.
A Great one, very very good.
This more than fills in some blanks. Number one book on civil rights, more than a must read.

If I could only recommend one book, this would be it
This book provides incomparable insight into the bowels of the early civil rights movement.While most accounts are only superficial, focusinging only on the "significant" events, Branch takes his readers into the heart of the storm to show how intricate political pressures, ideologies, spiritual upliftings, violence, non-violence, press coverage, rivalaries, and extroardinary courage entangled to "lift a despised minority from oblivion."
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - History    3. Afro-Americans    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. Audiobooks    6. Civil rights    7. Civil rights movements    8. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    9. History    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century/50s    12. United States - 20th Century/60s    13. History / General   

Editorial Review

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868-1963) is the greatest of African American intellectuals--a sociologist, historian, novelist, and activist whose astounding career spanned the nation's history from Reconstruction to the civil rights movement. Born in Massachusetts and educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, Du Bois penned his epochal masterpiece, Read more

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Reviews (42)

souls of black folk
was worthless...was not the correct match for my class book requirement.Never used it...if someone wants it you can have it for free
Post (US) Slavery understanding
Important literature that tells of post emancipation United States and the problem of the color line. Perspective amazing.

Vital for Historical Understanding
Written originally in 1903 both as a gift to African Americans and a gift from an African American, "The Souls of Black Folk" describes through one man's (W. E. B. Du Bois) eyes the consciousness of turn-of-the-century African Americans. Using his own life as a social and psychological model, Du Bois traces the inner life of post-Emancipation and post-Reconstruction African Americans. Whether one agrees with all, most, little, or none of Du Bois' conclusions, any serious student of African American history and self-understanding can't afford to bypass this work.
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Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

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Reviews (1)

A seminal work and a recognized milestone
Complete and unabridged, W.E.B. DuBois seminal 1903 publication, The Souls Of Black Folk is now available in an audiobook format (6 cassettes, 9 hours). This little book did more to shape the consciousness of African--Americans than any other and after a century, continues to hold the status of being a major work of both American literature. Superbly narrated by Warren Hazlittl and enhanced with a piano accompaniment by Jim Popoulous, The Souls Of Black Folk remains a seminal work and a recognized milestone with respect to the long and continuing struggle for racial equality and African-American dignity.
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Subjects:  1. American - African-American    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Unabridged Audio - Literature Classics   

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Reviews (14)

A Call to Conscience - MLK Jr.
I was somewhat disappointed in this product. The sound quality on some of the speeches is pretty poor and amateurish. There is too much commentary and not enough of the speeches. Another cassette I had purchased before "The Voice of Greatness" ( which I believe you can find on Ebay in CD format) was much better.

Deserves More Than 5 Stars!
The book "A Call To Conscience" gives excellent information surrounding Dr. King's speeches but it is the audio, hearing the speechs come from Dr. King's heart, that every person should experience- you cannot describe it in written language.
Awakened Conscience
I got the CD version and it awakened me.Not that I have been totally alseep.It just re-awakened me to the power of MLK's voice and message.So much power, truth, and Godliness.In this world that we live in today, I would advise anyone to pick this up.It is a must have, for anyone that needs help in putting things in perspective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Afro-Americans    3. Audiobooks    4. Civil rights    5. Civil rights movements    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. General    8. History    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    13. United States    14. Political Science / Civil Rights   

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Reviews (9)

Black Robes,White justice: Why Our Legal System Doesn't Work for BlacksI
I'm still reading this book. First time reading a book like this.This is one of the greatest. I recommend this book to be added to your library. It'sgives truthful information of the legal system concerning the racism of blacks in the court system.

The Title says it all
I am reading this book now.I cannot put it down.It is that good.

Racial Bias In The Legal System Exposed...by a JUDGE!!!
As a New Yorker, I remember Judge Bruce Wright well. He was dubbed: "Cut 'em loose Bruce", because he often released arrested citizens without their having to post bail money. Mr. Wright upheld the law that bail is not to be used as a punishment, but only as a guarantee that the accused party return to court to face the charges against he/she. This infuriated the "powers-that-be". The fact that Judge Wright is a Black man, and many of those who came before him were also Black people, swayed the media to portray his actions as racially motivated, as opposed to his acknowledgement of the law. His book superbly reflects the blatant inequitableness of the criminal justice system and how it is purposely designed to work against Blacks and other people of color. His personal experiences, as a sitting judge, lend great credence to his analogy and conclusions concerning the legal system. Wright fearlessly gives names and elaborates on instances wherein he witnessed and experienced bias in the system. This book is not written in "textbook" fashion, provides some humorous irony and is very informative. Add it to your library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio - Nonfiction    3. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    4. 1918-    5. African American Studies    6. Afro-American judges    7. Biography    8. Biography & Autobiography    9. CAS - Audio - Autobiography / Biography    10. Criminal courts    11. Criminal justice, Administration of    12. New York    13. New York (N.Y.)    14. New York (State)    15. Race discrimination    16. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Blacks    17. Wright, Bruce,   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (30)

Branch's Trilogy
Volume one of Branch's biography of King, though interesting most of the time, suffers from Branch's sometime tortuous syntax and lack of focus, it seems._Parting the Waters_, overall, was excellent, but I only wish that it flowed always when it only flowed some of the time.
Impossible not to be a letdown
Any follow up to Parting the Waters is destined to be anticlimatic. Concedingly, there are a few drawbacks to Pillar of Fire. Nonetheless, this is another classic work from Branch.
Keeps the Fire Aflame...Pillared Story of the Shaping of America
Taylor Branch has certainly done better work with his first Pulitzer Prize winning Civil Rights movement work, "Parting the Waters,' but that doesn't mean you should be brushing aside this good history writing in "Pillar of Fire."There's a quote out there...that I can't seem to find right now...that says something to the effect of, "If we don't learn from history, we will find ourselves repeating mistakes already made."In the realm of social justice and American Civil Rights history there is no finer capturing of our society's mistakes and the heroic struggle undertaken by civil rights movement leaders than the history written by Taylor Branch on the subject.The entire trilogy should be required reading for all liberal arts majors (all other under grad majors for that matter) as an education in the important history that shaped the America we know today.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - History    3. Afro-Americans    4. Audio - Nonfiction    5. Audio Adult: Other    6. Audiobooks    7. Civil rights    8. Civil rights movements    9. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    10. History    11. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century/60s    14. History / General   

Reviews (7)

The most compelling read I've had in a loonnng while ...
All of the positive reviewers of this book got it right. This book paints an equally grim view of the disturbingly painful(and unfortunate given we live in the most powerful nation in the world) existence of some of those most marginalized by society. And yet, I'd call it just as equally uplifting in terms of the triumph on the human spirit.
The American Genocide
Kotlowitz captures the essence of life in government housing. This book is a painfully wonderful read. Glorious and uplifting at times, wrenching and frustrating at others. This book should be required text for anyone claiming to be a represenative of the "people".I wish George Bush would read and understand how policy truly affects people.After reading this book, anyone who claims that poverty is not a form of violence should seek professional help.

Kotlowitz touches on the "other America"
For those readers who have commented that this book is boring, I have one question....is the existence of this type of devasting poverty boring and insignificant to your partiticular life?This is not a ficitional story ofthe hardships and struggles of the River's family; rather, it is a harshreality that exists in our country, one of which we turn our backs andclose our eyes to daily.This book is touching only if you understand andacknowledge the facts that perpetuate poverty and welfare-denpendency inthe United States.I believe that the readers who comment on LaJoe'slaziness are truly portraying their ignorance and stupidity in theircomments.In my opinion, this book paints a vivid picture, too vivid forsome, of the America that most people do not want to see.My advice forothers- read this book because you will be shocked a horrified at our"land of the free."Are those in poverty truly free or are theydrowning in a world that smothered them to begin with? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Other    3. Children's Studies    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Sociology - Urban   

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Reviews (2)

Well written historical fiction of Cinque and the Amistad
Black Mutiny is a well-written, highly interesting account of the eventssurrounding the Amistad.It is an excellent companion piece to Spielburg'smovie, AMISTAD (this is the book on which the movie was based).The readershould be cautioned, however, that this book is a work of historicalfiction.It is not a scholarly account of events, albeit an interestingand -- most probably -- factual one.For me personally this did notdetract from the book.But then I am only an amateur historian and enjoyhistorical fiction if it is done well and does not embellish extensively,and Owens did not.Nevertheless, if the reader is expecting a footnotedtext, then this is not the book for you. William Ownes, the late folkloristand English professor, wrote "Black Mutiny" in 1953.To make thebook more appealing to today's market, two brief essays by blackactivists/historians have been added.I recommend not reading either essayuntil after reading the text, or possibly not reading them at all.Theyadd nothing to Owens' story of Cinque and the Amistad and both essays arebigoted, racially charged and are of interest to only a select audience.

It made me think more about America and slavery than ever
I set upon to read this book to read a real account of what happened on the Amistad before I saw the movie which I heard was historically flawed.I don't know if that is the case because I have not seen the movie, but this book enriched me in ways I never could have foreseen.This book made me question the "inherent morality" and goodness of America envisioned in the "City on a Hill" analogy invoked by so many people.This book described in vivid detail the plight of Africans that were captured by the Spanish along the Slave Coast and their transport to Cuba.In addition, the book speaks of the complicity of the United States in allowing and, in fact, looking away as the slave trade continued in Havana long after Spain and England had signed a treaty declaring the trade illegal.How ironic that the nation that the United States broke from because of tyranny was the nation almost soley responsible for rescuing captured Africans from their Spanish captors.Owens also tells in the book of how horribly blacks were treated IN THE NORTH being driven out of towns and neighborhoods by people claiming to be Christian.This book makes one take a look at the hipocrisy that fills the history of the United States and how the case of the Amistad underscored the American paradox of "all men are created equal" and the institution of slavery.This book taught me that America has much to be sorry for though HER PROMISE is inspiring.It also taught me why many black people wish to be called African-American...it is the only way to acknowledge a heritage that was lost when upon arrival in Cuba they were given Spanish names denoting a European heritage that is not theirs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Studies - History    2. Antislavery movements    3. Audio - Nonfiction    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. Audiobooks    6. Insurrections, etc    7. Slavery    8. United States    9. United States - 19th Century    10. United States - General    11. Biography & Autobiography / General   

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Reviews (4)

The long, hard road
`This Far By Faith', a book that is companion to a PBS television series of the same name, is by Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie, but is in reality a series of narratives in which the authors strive as much as is possible to let the characters themselves tell their stories, for these characters were and are real-life figures, some larger than life, and others virtually unknown to the general public.The authors begin by setting the stage, showing in general historical terms the progress of black population growth in the Western hemisphere, and the differing ideas about the numbers; they take a middle-number approach, but concede (both in the essay as well as in the general format of the book) that the numbers approach is not all that helpful or useful toward true understanding of African American faith experience.
The Power of Faith
If you have ever wondered how people who lived during slavery survived, THIS FAR BY FAITH is the book you need to read. It is about how religious faith inspired one of the greatest movements in American history, the U.S. Civil Rights movement. With stories told regarding politics, tent revivals and ministers leading rebellions against slavery, you see how in the most trying of times the faith in God and church can prevail. There are numerous pictures of some of our most prominent black leaders, some you know and some you may not know. There are also pictures of sit-ins, voting, lynching and blacks attending church. We learn of William J. Seymour who started the American Pentecostal movement, Charles Price Jones who founded the Church of God in Christ (Holiness) and Charles H. Mason who started the Church of God in Christ, among many other ministers and political leaders. Good book to learn the history of faith by African Americans
In "This Far By Faith" Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie illustrate the chronological progression and variations of faith practiced by African Americans from the Middle Passage voyage to the 21st century. The authors wonderfully explain various religions in a non-bias manner. The term "cult" is never used to describe less popular or extreme faiths. Every practiced faith is given equal validation for its worth. Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Inspirational/Philosophy    2. African Americans    3. Audio - Inspiration / Philosophy    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. Audiobooks    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. History    8. Inspirational - General    9. Religion    10. Religious life    11. Religion / History   

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Reviews (3)

Telling the truth and shaming the devil...Zora's Way!
It was said from those that knew her best, that African-American folklore was Zora Neale Hurston�s first love. The ability to manifest in, and excel within the margins of her own people�swapping lies, telling tales, and giving unique meaning to life from the backhand side. Thus, if any part of her legacy is to prevail, one should pay close attention to this side of her that I feel truly helped to define her writing style. No doubt, the genesis of it all goes back to her Eatonville, Florida roots sitting on the porch of the neighborhood story listening to the older men adhere to the aforementioned. Subsequently as a Barnard student of Anthropology under the guidance of Franz Boaz, she embarked in 1927 on a two-year effort to collect samples of African-American folklore. This sets the stage for Negro Tales From The Gulf States, which can boast of an interesting evolution. This is a book written by Zora that was almost an afterthought, until recently discovered after lying in obscurity for nearly 30 years.All of this time, it was stored in a basement at Columbia University, and 20 more at the Smithsonian before coming to light at the urging of the author�s estate and others. Like a Window to the Past
If only Zora Neale Hurston could've published this book during her lifetime! Luckily her papers containing her research were rediscoveredand we now have this gorgeous collection of stories. Some of them were familiar to me from listening to my grandparents tell tall tales, others were completely new. These stories are funny, frightening and enlightening. Our elders and ancestors were amazing people with a tough and even cynical sense of humor. If we are lucky more of Hurston's research will be found and more will be published. Excellent collection of Black Folklore
If you grew up hearing older folks get together and swap wild stories, or if you have an academic interest in folklore, then this is for you! Essentially, the great Folklorist Zora Neale Hurston spent 1928 and 29 among rural Blacks in Florida and Alabama jotting down their folk tales and witty sayings. Being a Black Southerner herself gave her an insider's access that made her interviewees comfortable in sharing with her. The final manuscript, "Negro Folktales of the Gulf States" remained unpublished till now. Some of these tales were published in 1935 with a framework story of Miss Hurston's adventures among her interviewees entitled "Mules and Men." But here, the stories exist in their orignial, uncut form without a framework story. Once the modern reader becomes accustomed to the printed approximation of Southern African-American dialect, you can sit back and enjoy the folk wisdom and humorous tales. So imagine that Grandpa, Uncle Wille, and all the others are gathered around your porch with a pitcher of lemonade on a pleasant afternoon and enjoy this African-American equivalent to "Aesop's Fables" and "The Arabian Nights." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. American - African American & Black    3. Audio - Nonfiction (Unabridged)    4. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    5. Audiobooks    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Folklore    8. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    9. Literary Criticism    10. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    11. Social Science / African-American Studies   

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Reviews (3)

The last throes of the Civil War
Nicholas Lemann's book, "Redemption", which chronicles the turning points of Reconstruction, centers around the race struggles that occurred in Mississippi in 1874 and 1875 and his central character, a decorated Civil War hero cum governor of Mississippi, Adelbert Ames. It's a good book and a quick read.
Sean Wilentz
After reading Mr. Wilentz's review of this book in the New York Times, I can only conclude that the book's value lies in its review by Mr. Wilentz, who describes it as an "arresting piece of popular history," "uneven," and "simplisitc."I was about to buy Redemption until I read Wilentz's review.Given Mr. Wilentz's personal and cultural background, I can only encourage prospective readers of Redemption to forgo the book and read Mr. Wilentz's prize-winning offerings instead.

The Racists Win In Mississippi
Eric Foner in his "Reconstruction : America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877" (1988) wrote the definative account of the post-Civil War South. Mr. Lemann is focusing on one small rural state (Mississippi) in its struggles for racial equality during Reconstruction as opposed to Mr. Foner's big picture approach. In contrast to the images of vile carpetbaggers from "Gone with the Wind", it was southern whites terrorizing newly freed slaves to keep them from political power. The Union army was attempting to be the equalizer as it fought with the KKK, the White Line and other white supremacy groups. The author tends to idealize the Reconstruction politicians (like Adelbert Ames) and demonize the Southern whites (some of whom rightly earned demonization for their violence tactics). Still, it is a good read and a good story to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    3. History    4. History: American    5. United States - General    6. United States - Reconstruction Period (1865-1877)    7. United States - State & Local - South    8. Abridged Audio / History    9. Chronological Period/1851-1899    10. Cultural Region/South    11. Ethnic Orientation/African-American    12. History / United States / General    13. History/United States - State & Local - South    14. Social Science/Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General   

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Reviews (138)

Black like me
hello my name is josi, im 15, im in ninth grade. I really enjoyed this book because it shows u how the black people were ridiculed because of their skin color which is like wrong, i think, um the thing that stood out to me was that, if a person was black and wanted to like eat in a resteraunt, they would have to eat in the back of the building and not at a table. Anyways i recommend this book to whomever wants to read this book.

Love this Book - Great Learning Oppotunity
This was a fabulous book!A great read on race relations and the experiences of both black and white.Great learning tool for a class or for your own personal knowledge.It really puts things into perspctive!

Very Powerful
"Black Like Me" is a memoir by John Howard Griffin about he, as a white man, died his skin pigments black and traveled the south as a black man looking for jobs. He observed the differences between how he was treated as a white man and how he was treated as a black man. Published in 1960, "Black Like Me" was a groundbreaking work of literature that stunned the public with plain truth. It awakened white people that they needed to take action and change their ways.