Reviews (12)

Overcome Extreme Adversity
Reviewed by Mary Simmons for Reader Views (9/06)
Story of survival and endurance
On October 21, 1993, Tutsi students and teachers from Burundi's "Lycee Kibimba" school were bound, stripped, herded into an abandoned building, then attacked with machetes and gasoline by their Hutu classmates, teachers and neighbors.
Touching beyond belief ... where is the free world?
As all books on the Rwandan genocide, this one is touching. It is a must read if you want to appreciate your freedom and understand others tragedies. It makes you question where are we, where are we when this is going on and we're off in other worlds fighting. The author details his experience and incredible forgiveness in minute detail and it makes you wonder how they survived with any normal feelings in tact. Worth the read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - History    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Burundi    6. Christianity - General    7. Ethnic relations    8. Genocide    9. People of Color    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Race And Ethnic Relations    12. Sports - General    13. Tuhabonye, Gilbert    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    15. Christian Interest    16. Religion / Bible / Biography / General   

Editorial Review

Now a writer living in New York, Da Chen describes his youth in mainland China with engaging humor and affecting warmth. It's often a harrowing tale: born in 1962, Chen was the grandson of a landlord, which rendered his entire family pariahs during the Cultural Revolution. And though initially an excellent student, he was ostracized in school and told he could never attend college. He responded by making friends with a group of young thugs who drank, smoked, and gambled but were kind to him. After Mao died in 1976, the budding juvenile delinquent discovered that higher education might be available to him after all. Chen worked hard to make up for years of neglected studies, and his memoir closes with a jubilant scene as he and his brother Jin are both accepted into college; for his suffering family, "thirty years of humiliation had suddenly come to an end." Chen's lucid yet emotional prose unsparingly portrays a topsy-turvy society where unfairness reigns and the rules are arbitrarily changed without warning, but his zest for life and sharp eye for character make even the most awful moments grimly funny. This is no saga of victimization, but a thrilling account of an ordeal that fosters spiritual growth. Readers will cheer Chen's triumph over daunting odds. Read more

Reviews (62)

A very entertaining memoir
Chen Da's bestselling COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN is one of the more entertaining memoirs I've run across in recent years.
Mountain Of Life
Da Chen's rendition of memories etched within his heart is very descriptive. I especially like this passage:
Interesting book
I enjoyed reading the book.I praise the author for his hard work and his motivation to improve himself and his life.I do agree with another reader that the author very often patted himself on the back, which I have concluded that it's a weakness of a person who had a difficult life.
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Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Asia - China    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Chen, Da,    8. Childhood Memoir    9. Childhood and youth    10. China    11. Cultural Revolution, 1966-1969    12. Ethnic Cultures - General    13. General    14. History    15. Personal narratives    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

"Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood," writes Frank McCourt in Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ethnic Cultures - General    6. Genealogy    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. Ireland    10. Irish Americans    11. Limerick (Limerick)    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: general   

Reviews (33)

Not completely convincing
Steele gives an excellent analysis of the current muddle about affirmative action (especially with regard to the University of Michigan ruling by the Supreme Court), and how it's arisen from the white guilt which is the title of his book.Where he fails to convince (in my view, at least) is in his attempt to extend this analysis to cover society as a whole. If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
The Globalization of Guilt
1. The persective of most writers is shaped by their own experience. Dr.Steele is an American Black, a baby boomer, a member of the academic elite, a liberal arts major, and a political "conservative".This certainly affects his perpective when he discusses social issues.
The Competitive Model
I actually paid money to attend a lecture on this book rather than just reading the book.I find that Dr. Steele has some very valid points that have helped me to further process my own views on the race issue in America.Dr. Steele states, in his own way, that America has yet to really honestly deal with her racial past through his position on 'dissociation'.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African Americans    3. Ethnic Issues    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. People of Color    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Science    8. Politics and government    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Psychological aspects    11. Racism    12. United States    13. Social Science / African-American Studies   

Reviews (20)

A BRILLIANT BIOGRAPHY - WELL DONE!
This is a brilliantly written biography of one of the most fascinating characters in history.Like most of Mnchester's work (I must admit to being a big fan), this is a very readable biography, well researched and holds the reader's interest from page to page.We see so much of Churchhill in his role as a WWII leader that we tend to forget there was a young man, living, learning and growing before the back and white films we see today.It is good to be reminded of this from time to time.It is also, for those interested, to learn how a world leader of Churchill's calibre came into being, how he developed and why he was the way he was.This work gives us great insight to those questions.Cannot recommend this work highly enough.

Insight Into A Great Man

Tale of a Giant Lives Up to Its Subject
Although William Manchester didn't live long enough to complete his biography of Winston Churchill, this first book of the proposed triology begins with Dunkirk and shows Churchill at his most magnificent before switching to his early years.Manchester's prose--eloquent, clear, moving, and witty--is a fitting vehicle for the story of a master of the English language, and the story itself is filled with amazing adventures and memorable anecdotes. This book and its sequel are the best of all the Churchill biographies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1874-1965    2. 20th century    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Churchill, Winston,    7. Europe - Great Britain - General    8. Foreign relations    9. Great Britain    10. Great Britain - History - 20th Century    11. Political    12. Politics and government    13. Sir,    14. Biography & Autobiography / Political    15. Biography: general    16. British & Irish history: from c 1900 -    17. Churchill, Winston    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (104)

A Teacher's View
I had high hopes for this book.An excerpt was read to me at a teacher training and I thought it would be a great book to inspire my students to care about their education.I rushed out and bought it that same day.However, I found the book badly written.It jumps back and forth and has a few grammatical errors in it.Also, the quotes in there seem very fabricated and idealized.It doesn't read as a real story, even though I know it is.
You Raise Me Up
Ben Carson had a hard life.He grew up in lower class neighborhoods, didn't have the best grades, had a father who left, and other problems.But Ben's mom was always there for him, encouraging him to try harder.At one point she made Ben and his brother read two books a week from the library and report back to her about them.I think reading is a major part of learning, and I make a habit to put this two books per week thing a rule in my life.
AN UNSUNG HERO OF THE WORLD, THAT NEEDS TO BE MORE RECOGNIZE!!!!
All I have to say is that, I have ultimate respect for this great man.He is definitely a true superior being in every sense of the WORD!!!!We need more true role models, like Mr. Carson to be more displayed, showcase in the media more often.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Medical - General    5. Medical - Physicians    6. People of Color    7. Christian Interest    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (16)

Farrah is a genius....
I have become a big Farrah Gray fan over the past year. This young man, who is about the same age as myself, has done more in the past 15 years, than a lot of Adults will do in their lifetime. It's only a matter of time before he's a household name like Donald Trump and Bill Gates. The book is very motivating and inspiring. I look forward to seeing much more from him in the future.
A rousing and inspirational read!
Even though he is a young man, Farrah Gray writes like an "old soul." His message is clear, his beliefs are strong.When asked to perform at a higher standard there are many who ask: "Why me?" Those who read this book will learn a better response is: "Why not!"
Inspirational
His age shows through in his writing and quite a bit of the book is repetitive. However, his accomplishments are amazing and it is truly an inspirational book about what can be accomplished with knowledge and determination. I couldn't put the book down. I look forward to following his career as he gets older. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Finance, Personal    6. Financial security    7. Motivational    8. People of Color    9. Personal Growth - Success    10. Psychological aspects    11. Self-Help    12. Success    13. Self-Help / Success   

Reviews (172)

Living The Truth
Louis Rodriquez writes the truth! I know I lived in the Lomas during the time Louis writes about being in Garvey school and at Mark Keppel. I lived in Lomas from 1959 to 1972. Fortunately, I survived the madness in Lomas. This was our life as we knew it, the gangs, drugs, girls and of course the parties. It brings back memories of our life in the barrio L's...

I read it, re-lived it and loved it!
Well written book by one of my favorite Authors.Louis is an awesome person who is committed to his work and community.Book can be used for anyone looking for a real life reference to the history of Chicano/a Gangs in Southern California.I read it, re-lived it and loved it!

Always Challanging
Many young people face the same perils Luis Rodriguez shares in this auto biographical coming-of-age story; some overcome these challanges, while others succumb. But, how many rise as far above them as Rodriguez has?
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. California    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    9. Gangs    10. General    11. Hispanic Americans In The U.S.    12. Los Angeles    13. Mexican American youth    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Sociology Of Youth    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (22)

Touching & Inspirational
This book is fascinating, can be entertaining; a wonderful book.
inspiring and uplifting
Going through a tough time? Looking for a way out? Wishing you could just "do" something to change your life? Read this book and know you are not alone. Read this book and know you CAN do it. Believe there are difficult days, accept that life is not a bed of roses, and follow Chris as he grows from a confused little boy into a deservedly respected man. What a powerful message to send to boys and young men in this United States. Thank you, Chris Gardner... I look forward to the movie!

Kudos to Gardner for believing and for not giving up
Gardner's story is amazing and inspiring. It will make you ponder: Are you reaching your full potential? Can you turn negatives into positives? Are you willing to work smart and hard to achieve and succeed? Gardner has certainly proven that he is a believer in the creation of his own happiness. Great job Mr. Gardner, you are truly an inspiration.
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Subjects:  1. (Chris P.)    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blacks In The U.S.    7. Business    8. Gardner Rich & Co    9. Gardner, Chris    10. General    11. People of Color    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Stockbrokers    14. Stocks    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (15)

Truthful contrast
Dr. Franklin is an extraordinary savant.His writing technique is grabbing and august.He presents his life in a clear unquestionable manner; causing the reader to feel the emotion in which he experienced throughout his life journey.
Autobiography of John Hope Franklin
Every page is a valuable learning opportunity.Written in a factual, insightful way that creates a focus on lessons learned and then makes these same lessons implements of progress and growth for others.This is a book everyone should read and then find ways to incorporate the example if Dr. Franklin in concrete ways in their individual lives.

From Sisters Nineties Literary Group, Linda Smith, Book Review Editor, Reviews
Professor John Hope Franklin's story, Mirror to America, is a chronicle of his life embellished with the history of African Americans in the United States.A rare jewel, Professor Franklin decided early in his education at Fisk University, where he earned his undergraduate degree, that he would make a life long committment to pursue the history of African Americans in this country as a scholar.He attend Harvard University where he earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in history, remaining committed to pursue African beginnings in America without compromise and with impeccable courage in the time where racial prejudice was practiced in every phase of American culture.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African American historians    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)    9. Educators    10. Historians    11. Historical - U.S.    12. Novelists, American    13. People of Color    14. Personal Memoirs    15. U.S. History - 20th Century (General)    16. United States    17. United States - 20th Century    18. Zabor, Rafi    19. Biography & Autobiography / General    20. Biography: general    21. Black studies    22. Civil rights & citizenship    23. Political activism    24. USA   

Reviews (87)

A fascinating story
I bought this book from a spontaneously decision while engaged with THE KITE RUNNER. It is an amazing story of the life of an Afghan family that is keenly observed and portrayed by the author who lived with them for several months and observed their lives listened to their stories and finally came to relate to them. Though from quite a wealthy educated background, the family's story is still a struggle for self-esteem in a domineering culture of hierarchy that favors males and the elders, a culture of denial that often looks for scapegoats. Polygamy, oriental way of engaging in business, the status of women in the tribal and religious arrangement of southern Asia and the backdrop of the Afghan war all contributed to make this story enticing and gave a view of Afghanistan that many foreigners are not aware of.Union Moujik, Swallows of kabul,Usurper and Others, Bricklane are other titles which helps us foreigners understand what the news do not present.

Cultural anthropology for dummies
This book is a must for anyone who is trying to understand a culture so uniquely different from ours that it defies belief. It is beautifully written which makes it an easy read and because it reports on "daily" life in a Kabul home, it makes its comparisons by story telling. You get wrapped up in their way of life as reported by an outsider, and you understand their perspectives from a non-biased view. The author is Norwegian and does a fantastic job of describing their lives without bias or value judgements. The conclusions you draw about life styles, like the role of women, male oriented societies and the Taliban, are yours not hers. I think this should be required reading for high school students and anyone who knows nothing about the Islamic way of life. It certainly defines the dilemnas that we in the U.S. are facing today.

Excellent, very easy read.
I was very impressed with this book.It was an easy read but showed so much of Afghan culture.While at times I felt angry it also gave me a hunger to learn more about this intriguing country.I felt the author gave an excellent recounting of what she had seen and heard.
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Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. Asia - Central Asia    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Book Sellers, Dealers, Distributors    6. Booksellers and bookselling    7. Contemporary Politics - Asia    8. Ethnic Cultures - General    9. General    10. Islamic Studies    11. Kabul    12. Kabul (Afghanistan)    13. Khan family    14. Political Science    15. Politics/International Relations    16. Current Events / International   

Editorial Review

One of the greatest of American stories has found its great chronicler in Taylor Branch. Beginning with Read more

Reviews (26)

Leadership, charisma and iron will.
As King's star rises, Green's book opens up wide to the national and world stage. Cannaan transitions from an essential biography of King to a complex social and historical account of America in the mid 60's. By the late 60's, race was a hot button that super charged the fabric of all things American. One scholar pointedly stated, "if you want to look at the motivations behind all historic American politics and policies -- follow the race card." Cannan's follows the call for racial justice as it moves north and the long sharp lens of Green focuses on the race riots in LA, Queens, Detroit and Chicago. Each chapter is a fascinating look at people vs. political power and the passionate personalities that sparked bloody confrontations. Adding complexity to the issues of the day, Green correctly weaves in our last and fatal commitments in Vietnam and the political pressure that was brought to bare on the opposite side of the Johnson house, literally squeezing the administration between two crisises. In many ways, the three book series is a apt study in modern man's stubborn nature to selfishly preserve their own tribe over all others -- blood lust and all. Somewhere in this series an astute observer comments, "racial prejudice, drawn to it's natural conclusion, is the practice of genocide, plain and simple." Man killing man. Of course Canaan does not end on that morbid conclusion. It ends optimistically, depicting King as the first modern American to preach, practice and deliver radical social change through peaceful mass demonstration. In his fine, broad wake peaceful demonstrations have prevailed and will again and again... thanks in large part to leadership, charisma and iron will. 9/11/06

A (slightly) flawed conclusion to a great story
This is the third volume of an epic history of King, the Civil Rights movement and America during a pivotal moment.
Heartbreaking Story, of our Divisive Racial History
Taylor Branch continues to be the best source for our troubled racial history. We've developed a mythology of the movement, that it was heroic, which it was, but that's an incomplete picture. This should be read by every American. Especially those right wing conservatives who seem to forget how recent we were bombing churches in this Country. It was just yesterday that people went to jail (Parchman prison even in Ms) for voter registration activities. Mr. Branch also shows the seems that begin to wear, how Dr. King became reviled by the Radicals because his devotion to non-violence brought him to oppose the War in Vietnam and brought condescension from the Black Power advocates like Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown, who began to (understandably) promote a violent response to the violence which the SNVCC had suffered for years. This is an important book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1929-1968    2. 20th century    3. African Americans    4. Civil rights    5. Civil rights movements    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History - U.S.    10. History: American    11. Jr.,    12. King, Martin Luther,    13. People of Color    14. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    15. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Blacks    16. U.S. History - 1960s    17. United States    18. United States - 20th Century    19. United States - 20th Century/60s    20. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    21. Black studies    22. History / United States / 20th Century    23. Human rights    24. USA    25. c 1960 to c 1970   

Editorial Review

Some historical events simply beggar any attempt at description--the Holocaust is one of these. Therefore, as it recedes and the people able to bear witness die, it becomes more and more essential that novel, vigorous methods are used to describe the indescribable. Examined in these terms, Art Spiegelman's Read more

Reviews (129)

Why are so many amazed that its a "comic" book?
...I loved this graphic novel, and so many accolades have been heaped upon this book that I need'nt say more. However, in reviewing some of the readers responses, and colligiate papers regarding the works of Maus, many seemed surprised or shocked that such amazing storytelling could be attributed to the comic book form. Why? I have been a lover and reader of comics for many years and this so - called "low" art form has produced some of the most memorable, touching, exciting, and thought-provoking material I have ever read. Granted, a large percentage of "comic" books cater to the stylized "men-in-tights" brigade, however even this attitude has changed much within the industry and modern comics. Even the long-running "hero" titles touch upon modern issues with a compexity that some people might find surprising. It should also be noted however that largely indie, underground, and other "non-mainstream" works really drive the graphic novel and comic industry in terms of content. If you thought comics simply "silly childrens stories" or "lame escapism" you should read some of the highly recommended titles of the genre and see why "comics" are being used as source material for a lot of current and upcoming films.

An Incredible Historical Perspective
Making one man's story about his life during the Holocaust into a comic book isn't contrite or demeaning. It's brilliant.
Ja! Like lightning!
Despite all the press and hype regarding it, I had never heard of Maus until mid-last year when browsing through a book store. The image of Hitler as a cat with two mice seemingly losing all hope on the cover really struck me, and I then made a blind purchase. I didn't even flip through the pages to see the art style, or read the back of the book or inside flaps to get an idea of what it was about. All I knew was that Nazis = cats, and Jews = mice. Having loved my experience in various history classes, I figured I'd get something out of this comic. Then I read it, and didn't. It all seemed bland, some parts rushed, and I didn't like the art style too much. Then, almost a year later, I reread it, and I don't know what it is, but my view changed. I actually got the characters, loved the story of survival, and understood just how bad the times were from the narrator's point of view. I still hated the art style, but everything else was meaningful. While most stories of the Holocaust rub in your face how bad things were, giving you every tiny detail about the pain and suffering, Maus takes things in a different direction. Art Spiegelman, the semi-author and artist, interviews his own father, a Holocaust survivor, and tells his story in comic form. It's not "normal" though- his father, Vladek, is a cranky old man now, and Art even makes a comment that he's now the stereotypical Jew. Maus takes both the real story of the Holocaust as Vladek experienced it, as well as the in-between portions of getting together with his father and the difficulties the two experience together in trying to make things work out. It's these little things that make the story so much more real than just simply a survivor telling their story straight forward.