Amazing Grace: Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The

Book Description

The children in this book defy the stereotypes of urban youth too frequently presented by the media. Tender, generous and often religiously devout, they speak with eloquence and honesty about the poverty and racial isolation that have wounded but not hardened them.

The book does not romanticize or soften the effects of violence and sickness. One fourth of the child-bearing women in the neighborhoods where these children live test positive for HIV. Pediatric AIDs, life-consuming fires and gang rivalries take a high toll. Several children die during the year in which this narrative takes place.

A gently written work, Amazing Grace asks questions that are at once political and theological. What is the value of a child's life? What exactly do we plan to do with those whom we appear to have defined as economically and humanly superfluous? How cold -- how cruel, how tough -- do we dare be?

Customer Reviews:

A compelling eye-opener.......2007-09-10

Kozol's Amazing Grace is a true eye-opener. After reading it, I feel that I had nothing close to an accurate image of the conditions of poverty that people still live in in some of the inner city neighborhoods. The reality Kozol awakens us to shatters the illusion America holds of "equal opportunity for all," and the book is an indictment of a far-too-unaware society run by politicians who must think about quick fixes (prisons, tax cuts) that try to please voters or address problem symptoms rather than causes (terrible schools, decrepit surroundings, congestion of the homeless, and the not-always subtle discrimination that continues in society). A truly important book, which will challenge any readers who are supportive of Rudy Giuliani to defend his startling insensitivity to the issue, displayed by his cutting of funding of public services that are so crucial to many people Kozol writes of.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind.......2007-08-20

Jonathan Kozol has dedicated his work on bringing light to the inequalities that exist within our nation. These inequalities are best seen, unfortunately but not unexpectedly, along racial lines. "Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation" is a book with a lot of questions, a lot of shocking information, but not a lot of answers; if only because the answers may not exist. It is a stunning look at the deep disparity between rich and poor within our nation.

Kozol focuses on the South Bronx ghetto of Mott Haven, the poorest borough in New York, clearly segregated from the middle and upper classes, where two-thirds of the population are Hispanic and one-third African-American. Through interviews with school children, teachers, ministers, and community members, Kozol paints a bleak picture of the equally bleak lives led by those who live in this area. He recounts stories of buildings where wires have been eaten through by rats that are the size of squirrels, of drugs being bought and sold openly on the streets (although the drug dealers have enough respect to break when school lets out), and of families too numerous to count who are being killed off one by one by AIDS. The way these children see the world is frightenly dead-on; they know when they're not wanted because it's proven to them everyday in the way they have to live.

"Amazing Grace" is not an easy read due to its topic matter. Kozol's style is matter-of-fact, made up of usually uninterrupted comments by those he's interviewed, sometimes with his questions thrown in, and his own comments and hypotheses as to how this can go on. But Kozol doesn't necessarily have answers or even blame. Surely, some blame has to go to a system that keeps the poorest people with the least chance for success segregated from others, a separation of the haves and have nots to the greatest degree. And certainly others would place the blame on the poor people themselves. Perhaps it's a combination of a lot of factors, not one or the other, but what is certain is that too little is being done (or maybe can be done) to make a difference before it is too late.

An important book.......2007-06-25

It is a book about children. Children who live in Mott Haven, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the South Bronx. I have almost never read anything that has moved me and at the same time disturbed me as this book has. Jonathan Kozol has with great care and sensitivity interviewed children living in this place that's both crime ridden and run down. Most of these kids start off as being trusting and innocent but grow into becoming more and more disillusioned about their surroundings and hope for survival. The HIV and AIDS virus has really hit hard in these places and this is connected to the large amount of the population that abuse heroin. The heroin has such self-mocking names as "Jungle Fever", "Black Sabbath", "DOA"(dead on arrival), and "True Power". Many of the children are born to addicted mothers, some of who are in jail, already contracting the disease in utero. First time mothers have an average age between 16 and 17, while grandmothers can be in their late thirties and great great grandmothers in their late 50s.

Its incredible how close Jonathan Kozol manages to come to these kids. They really take him in and open up their hearts. They share with him their stories. These stories are full of horrible and painful things that are so far from the realities that we experience here in modern day big city Stockholm. The segregation in these South Bronx neighborhoods is total, whether it's the schools, hospitals, or prisons. And almost always the kids receive the short end of the stick. Children tell of how they see murders on the street, get attacked by rats, how some are killed or burned from household fires, how some eat cold oatmeal out of the box for dinner, many of the kids live with chronic asthma due to anxiety, others live with mothers dying of AIDS, and often have classrooms that are decrepit and completely rundown. There are less qualified doctors and teachers here than anywhere else in the state of New York. There have been major tax cuts in the city that have hit these citizens hardest. Like cuts in sanitation that has resulted in mountains of garbage lining up inside buildings drawing hordes of rats. Cuts in maintenance of buildings that leave elevators broken, often resulting in playing kids falling down the elevator shafts and dying. The police refer to some of the housing projects to as "death camps" because so many drug dealers and addicts dominate them. The tax cuts have also led to many social workers losing their jobs as well as closing of several youth centers that allow kids safe places to be while their parents work. Prostitution is also common among the women. Mostly serving the truck drivers who drive through the neighborhood to deliver goods to the Hunts Point market that is close. They turn tricks for 3 to 5 dollars that go to feeding their addictions. This happens all hours of the day and night, even when the children can see. Many times when the children or adults are asked how they manage to survive they mention their faith in god and heaven. That the place that they are in now is more reminiscent of hell, but this is not where they will end up.

As a atudent of theology I cannot help but see this book as a strong wake up call. The gospels of the New Testament took the part of the poor, saying the last shall be first and the first shall be last. In the Christian nation of America that prints "In god we trust" on their coins-this is how they treat the poor. One priest who works in the South Bronx took a little kid with him when he had to drive to Queens to do some errands. There he took him to Burger King to eat. The kid had never been outside of the Bronx before. The priest later learned from the kid's teacher that he wrote an essay in school about their lunch called "My trip to Burger King"-the same way a rich kid might write about a trip he made to Florida. Most of these kids never get any Christmas or birthday presents. They don't even have their own rooms. Sleeping on sofas or on mattresses on the floor. One child says, " it feels like I'm hidden", and this is a good observation. Nobody wants to be reminded of what these children are going through. Therefore their stories are seldom, if ever, heard. This is why Jonathan Kozols book is so important. Only a short distance away just across 96th street lies the park avenue apartments that houses some of the wealthiest people in the nation, households with an average income of 300,000 dollars a year. Toward the end of the book the author talks to an old poet living in the Bronx and the start to discuss the Nazi holocaust and the concentration camps. How there are certain disturbing parallels to what happened then and whats happening now. How the outcasts and those human beings viewed as being "superfluous" are quarantined. "Its not the same" he says, "but there are some similarities. There is the feeling of eclipse. There is the likelihood of death for many. There is a sense of people watching from the outside but seeming paralyzed and doing nothing. And then there are the miracles."

Amazing Grace: Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The .......2007-05-07

I ordered a series of books for my daughter. Excellent email response, timely receipt and accurate updates of the order. More than what I expected. The materials were in good condition on arrival. Very satisfied with the service.

A Disappointing Look into a Terrible Problem.......2007-01-29

Having read Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol, I expected something similar in style but different in content in Amazing Grace. I was not happy with Kozol the first time around but willing to try again, and despite my second chance this was just as disappointing. Normally in a book like this there would be a story that would connect the reader to the problem and personalize it, lots of fully cited statistics, and a workable solution. The book had only two of those, a story and statistics, which is my problem with Kozol. An excellent storyteller, he wraps you in page turning narratives, an unexpected plus in a book about America's most destitute victims of racism. Endless numbers prove his every point and bring you to his side of the table. That is not where the problem lies. Kozol's writing is simply annoying! Reading this book is like being guilt-tripped for something he makes you seem powerless over. I cannot stand that in either book he does not discuss a solution. The weakness is that it gets repetitive, going on and on with little difference between his rich people/poor people examples, however, the writing manages to stay interesting. What was most interesting was the similarity of Amazing Grace to Savage Inequalities. I thought that book was repetitive and mostly unhelpful, but now this? He even used the same school in both books and a critic of the book noted that the school he re-referenced has been repaired but Kozol had not bothered to redo his research. It is a strange feeling to read a book where the author has poorly plagiarized his own work. What is disheartening is that Kozol could write in such a selfish way. It cannot be articulated in one quote, but read the book and you will understand how he makes you feel like he is the only person in the world with a heart. It feels incomplete, and I am baffled that he did he not come across any way to help during his extensive research. I would not want to read another guilt tripping Kozol book and believe this is not an extremely important read. I would even recommend Savage Inequalities over this. I took away knowledge of a racial problem in America, but was put down by the seeming impossibility of any solution and the unnecessary jabs at anyone who is white or above the poverty line.

Casey Gollan

On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of 'Straight' Black Men Who Sleep with Men

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EYE OPENER
all you closet fags should read this
The Urban Book Source
Unsure of Message He's Giving
On the Down Low

On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of 'Straight' Black Men Who Sleep with Men
J. L. King
Manufacturer: Harlem Moon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sex | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Bisexuality | Nonfiction | Gay & Lesbian | Subjects | Books

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Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America
Coming Up from the Down Low: The Journey to Acceptance, Healing, and Honest Love
On The Up And Up: A Survival Guide for Women Living with Men on the Down Low
Confessions of a Video Vixen
20 Warning Signs of Down Low Brothers

ASIN: 076791399X
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Amazon.com

The closer a secret is kept, the more powerful the impact once it is finally revealed. Such is the case with author and activist J.L. King's intriguing look at the lives and lifestyles of black men who sleep with other men but do not consider themselves to be gay. These men live "on the down low," the "DL" for short, and their sexual activities have gained significant notice as the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in black women has skyrocketed, with the vast majority of cases coming from heterosexual sex. King is a veteran of the DL himself and his book serves partly as a social and psychological survey of the other men he has surveyed and partly as highly candid memoir. King was well regarded in his community, popular at his church, successful in his career, and married to a woman who had no idea that his secret life existed. But when she caught him in a lie and with another man, the marriage collapsed and King's long and painful path to self-awareness began. King cites the negative image many socially conservative black men have of homosexuality as an obstacle to those men being honest with their partners and themselves about who they are. Among the more intriguing elements of On the Down Low are the peculiar approaches men on the DL have to the sexual act, seeking a strictly physical sexual relationship with their secret male partners while remaining in more traditional arrangements with women. Whether this discrepancy is a product of scrupulously guarded secrecy and shame or the natural preference of an understudied sexual identity is one of the numerous questions raised by this book. Though the infection statistics make the DL a huge public health issue, King is neither a sociologist nor a medical professional. And while a more clinical look at this issue would be welcome, King accomplished what he set out to do: provide light and insight into a world that so many have worked so hard to keep in the shadows. --John Moe

Book Description

A bold exposé of the controversial secret that has potentially dire consequences in many African American communities
Delivering the first frank and thorough investigation of life “on the down low” (the DL), J. L. King exposes a closeted culture of sex between black men who lead “straight” lives. King explores his own past as a DL man, and the path that led him to let go of the lies and bring forth a message that can promote emotional healing and open discussions about relationships, sex, sexuality, and health in the black community.
Providing a long-overdue wake-up call, J. L. King bravely puts the spotlight on a topic that has until now remained dangerously taboo. Drawn from hundreds of interviews, statistics, and the author’s firsthand knowledge of DL behavior, On the Down Low reveals the warning signs African American women need to know. King also discusses the potential health consequences of having unprotected sex, as African American women represent an alarming 64 percent of new HIV infections. Volatile yet vital, On the Down Low is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.
“A survey by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta found that nearly a quarter of black HIV-positive men who had sex with men consider themselves heterosexual.”
—Essence

Customer Reviews:

EYE OPENER .......2007-09-30

I don't condone this lifestyle, but it is still going to exist, rather I like it or not. I am a happily married woman, but God forbid if something happens to my husband and I have to go back out here on the dating scene again. Thanks to J.L Kings book I will not be so easy to fall for men without investigating them first and picking up on signs. Even if I never have to worry about dating again , I can defintely educate my kids (both girls) about this topic. Don't try to keep topics like this from your kids thinking it wont affect them, because better you tell them, than they find out in a negative way and end up with Aids!

all you closet fags should read this.......2007-09-18

my dad was bisexual so I was hip to this lifestyle from the time I was born so I can relate to this yeah this lifestyle has been around for centuries some of the greatest men in history and literature are homo or bi such as hercules, julius caesar, alexander the great, king herod, pharaoh, achilles, zeus, elton john, david bowie yes homosexuality runs deep lots of entetatiners are on the downlow we know mase is bi so is puffy, missy elliot, da brat, beyonce, camron, kanye west, and plenty others tyra banks and plenty more don't worry everything will come out in the light already thwere are signs that these entertainers are closet homo's.

The Urban Book Source.......2007-08-13

J.L. King hit the head on the nail with his freshman novel. Although down low brothers is nothing new to our community, they have never been talked about in as open a manner as this. On the Down Low lets you crawl into the life of a creeping man and witness the lies, deception and risk that are involved with such a lifestyle. In a deeply rooted homophobic community, many will shun this book. I applaud Mr. King's efforts. With HIV and AIDS running rampant in our community and DL brothers playing a role in an outrageous rate of infection for young black women, I think this book is more than worth the read. Although this text is heavily based on Mr. Kings own experience and some have complained about the quality of writing, I say give this book a chance. Don't focus on the writing, focus on the facts!

1. What did you like best about this book?
I liked that the author took a risk and exposed a topic that was rarely discussed in the open before this book.

2. What did you dislike about this book?
I didn't like that the main basis of this book surrounded the author's personal life. I feel that left air for the material to be biased and questionable.

3. How can the author improve this book?
I think Mr. King should try to tighten and reign in his writing style.

Unsure of Message He's Giving.......2007-07-17

I liked the book. I'm a guy and I was interested in knowing more about being on the DL. But I don't know exactly what the message J.L. King was trying to give. He didn't tell men NOT to be on the DL, he did warn females about them. I guess he just was the messenger. I don't think it will change any black male from having sex with another man if he wants to. It's not going to bring honesty. I can't imagine any male confessing prior to or before doing this. All women cannot insist that their men put on a condom before sex. So-things will probably remain the same. Bottom line???.... Know your partner and be prepared to accept the consequence if you come up HIV+. When I was young they called VD "the gift that keeps on giving", but AIDS is not a gift. We need better morals but people don't seem to want that either.

On the Down Low.......2007-05-14

This was a very, very good read. It is not scary it is Real.

Average customer rating:

Prison: The Reality
At this point, Mumia's guilt or innocence is immaterial...
Mediocre
Mumia a man of peace and courage
free mumia

Live from Death Row
Mumia Abu-jamal
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Things Censored
We Want Freedom: A Life in the Black Panther Party
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ASIN: 0380727668
Release Date: 1996-06-01

Book Description

Once a prominent radio reporter, Mumia Abu-Jamal is now in a Pennsylvania prison awaiting his state-sactioned execution. In 1982 he was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner after a trial many have criticized as profoundly biased. Live From Death Row is a collection of his prison writings--an impassioned yet unflinching account of the brutalities and humiliations of prison life. It is also a scathing indictment of racism and political bias in the American judicial system that is certain to fuel the controversy surrounding the death penalty and freedom of speech.

Customer Reviews:

Prison: The Reality.......2007-05-12

Having worked in a high-security prison for six years as a clinical psychologist, I can attest to the picture of life that Mumia portrayed. In fact, his account felt so genuine to what I saw and experienced first hand. My 82-year-old mother read this book. She was so shocked of the treatment that the inmates received, that she had a difficult time reading parts of the book. She could not believe that in this country inmates are treated, in her words, "like animals"! Few people are allowed to go behind the walls to see the truth of the goings on inside a prison. This book gives an accurate account to those people who would like to know.

At this point, Mumia's guilt or innocence is immaterial..........2006-07-28

First of all, I'd like to say that at this point, it doesn't matter if Mumia is guilty or innocent because the fact is, in this country we have something called Procedural Law, which mandates that if certain rules and guidelines are abused in a criminal trial, the case/charges at hand should be dropped. That is precisely what happend in Mumia's case. If you read this book (or any article about Mumia for that matter,) it's clear that the rights afforded to any prisoner were violated in his case and that the violations of procedure were so great that his case should be dropped and he should be freed, regardless of anything else.

Having said that, here is the book review. If you're looking for musings on the day-to-day existence of any given prisoner in any state or federal prison in the country, this is where to look. In addition to that, if you're looking for some interesting and rather shocking statistics regarding racial disparity in the justice system as a whole, espeically the death penalty (even though they are over a decade old, they are even more bleak today,) then this book is where to look. Reading this book forces one to question the validity, necessity, and practicality of the death penalty in this country as juxtaposed to other countries. Upon completion (actually way before that) of this book, you can't help but feel for Mumia and the way he has been treated by the nation that proclaims itself to be the model that other countries of the world should strive to immitate--OUR country.

Finally, I recommend this book to anyone interested at all by the undeniable fact of racial prejudice in the justice system. While this book reads like a collection of essays and journal entires, because that's what it is, if you're looking for a non-fiction account of the death penalty and death row in a novelized form, look into Dead Man Walking by Helen Prejean. Either way, Live from Death Row will open your eyes... and your heart.

Mediocre.......2005-09-16

Mumia Abu Jamal is not a great writer. He is, in fact, barely a GOOD writer. And if he hadn't murdered Daniel Faulkner in the 80's, he'd be just about nobody right now.

This book is filled with horror stories from death row, and Jamal does do a good job of affecting the reader on a gut level--but other writers on the subject (less self interested than Jamal, and far less self important) have pointed out the racism inherent in the American judicial system far better. The core of Jamal's writing voice (although it seems inconsistent at times, often degenerating into mere rage/personal bitterness rather than any objective viewpoint beneficial to the reader) is anger. This in itself is no objection to his work, as this has been the case with many authors. Jamal is not that compelling and his rants are turn-offs.

Being a left-wing liberal, I took an interest in the case of Mumia Abu Jamal years ago. It took about one week of research for me to realize that this guy is no political prisoner (although they exist:Leonard Peltier's "My Life Is A Sundance" is a good example of REAL activist writing from "inside the pen"). Anyone who has even a little intellectual integrity, right-wing or left-wing, conservative or liberal, has to concur that this guy is guilty after reading about the case. If he admitted that he committed the crime I'd have a lot more respect for him and would keep reading him for his insider's accounts. But with his laughable pretense of innocence, everything he writes is poison of a sort. It is disturbing indeed to see so many of the literati cuddle up to him, some of them very talented:Alice Walker, Norman Mailer, etc. Maybe if he gets real lucky Mailer can free yet another murderer, like he did with Jack Abbott, so they can kill someone else.

I look forward to the day that Daniel Faulkner's wife writes a book about her horrendous experiences (one can only imagine what this must be like for her), having a nation of uninformed lefties, most of them under the age of 18, cozy up to her husband's killer.

Mumia a man of peace and courage.......2004-09-04

I was so happy to read this book. I had read several of his articles in various publications over the years and I watched the HBO special abbout him. Still, the book gave me more food for thought. I enjoyed reading the book a great deal. He was simultaneously revealing about the condition that he lives under in death row as he was about his life before prison. He is such a learned and reflexive man. I mourn the lost of 23 years with his love ones and the MOVE movement and other folks who would have benefitted a great deal from being around him on the outside. Folks like me for example who experienced White Supremacy and black on black violence within the Ivy Towers of Philadelphia. There was so much history in the book about how he came to the MOVE and his involvement in the Black Panther Party. Throughout his youth he strove to find the truth about himself his race and his condition.

The urban or inner city streets of Philadelphia are just as treacherous as the ones found in DC or Oakland, Miami or New York to name a few of the deadlier ones. Mumia looked for and found a movement to participate in that would empower him and help to overcome the hardships that he faced as a young black male. These organizations gave him the strength to find his voice which he expressed on the radio as a host and in print as a journalist.

His description of the events that led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment were clear. They used bribes and illegal means to convict him and he was obviously not guilty. How can an unconscious person shoot someone to death? Any CSI could recreate the crime (and I wish that they would) and find him NOT GUILTY!

I wish that he had described his life with his wife and children and other members of MOVE more. These are important people in his life who are working to FREE him. Moreover, the anti death row movement which is overly represented by the French has helped him a great deal in putting out his message and that was a great alliance for TRUTH.

MUMIA is an eloquent writer and I felt his innocence in his words. I grieve for him and his love ones and for all of those in death row who are not guilty.

free mumia.......2002-12-25

....I enjoyed this book I read death blossoms previously...I enjoyed this book very much it made me so angry because I truly feel that he is in jail only for his political beliefs....but one thing I can say is that his spirit is not broken...and that is so beautiful....the main thing this book did was change my views on capital punishment at first I was all for it but those views changed I am now against it....free mumia!!!

Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives

Average customer rating:

Boys, Girls and Hormones
Excellent Reading
it had it's good and bad moments...i'll agree
Who am I without him?
Excellent!

Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives
Sharon Flake
Manufacturer: Jump At The Sun
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Skin I'm In, The
The First Part Last
Bang!
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ASIN: 0786815043

Book Description

There is 'The Ugly One,' whose only solace comes when she is locked inside her own head. In 'Wanted: A Thug,' a teenager seeks advice on how to steal her best friend's bad-guy boyfriend. And then there's Erika, who only likes white boys. Sharon Flake takes readers through the minds of girls trying to define themselves while struggling to remain relevant to the boys in their lives. This is a complex, often humorous, always on-point exposition of black youth resolving to find self-worth . . . any way they know how.

Customer Reviews:

Boys, Girls and Hormones.......2007-06-19

We read this one a month ago. The title led us to believe this book was about teens relationship with God, which would've been a good subject to read about. But this was not about God. It was ten stories about teen relationships. We pretty much enjoyed reading them all. Our favorite was A Letter to My Daughter. We enjoyed this one the most because a father was writing to his daughter explaining to her what boys were all about and what their intentions were when dating or having a girlfriend. It's always good to hear it from a male perspective. This way, girls will have the inside scoop and know exactly what to lookout for.

On the negative side, we wished that some of the characters were of other ethnic groups instead of mostly urban African American. The story, "I Like White Boys" was good. We wanted to read more racially integrated stories. Sometimes it's difficult to read slang. We try to read books that doesn't have a lot of slang because it's not the standard in this society. We recognize that urban communities have citizens that uses slang and improper English, but we're trying to change all that by incorporating ourselves into this American society by speaking proper or standard English. It's not that we disapprove of urban books. No, not at all because we love the BLUFORD SERIES! It's just that we want to be able to articulate a sentence when we go on job interviews.

All in all, it was an okay read and we would recommend it to other teens.

Teens'R'Us
3.5 ***-.*

Excellent Reading.......2007-01-26

This book was excellent. We used this book for a discussion with a youth group. The young ladies enjoyed all the stories. They could relate to the young people in the stories. It gave them a picture of how girls see themselves and how boys and men around them view them. I enjoyed reading the book and I was excited to discuss it with them. I would encourage young and old to read this book.

it had it's good and bad moments...i'll agree.......2006-12-26

So i aint no good girl: ***** five stars, it was one of my favorites. I'm glad the book started with this story because it makes up for some of the crappier ones. I like how Ms. Flake portrays this girl as tough and scared at the same time. She doesn't let anyone talk her down, except Raheem, who abuses her and she feels that if she just "goes with the flow" she'll keep him.

Girl didn't i say i dont write no letters: ***** Five stars again. Excellent. i love how i can relate to devita about her liking Jaquel and gaining enough strength to tell him how she really feels, through letters.

The ugly one: **** four stars. it was OK i didn't understand the complete end, when she is dancing with the Jamaican dude, is he real? I would've liked it more if he was a real person.

Mookie in Love: **** four stars. It was OK as well. the story would've been better if it was in his perspective, not the cousins.

Don't be disrepecting me: *** Three stars. I didn't like it that much. Ms. Flake seemed to rush into the story and it didn't end well, at all.

I like White Boys: **** Fours stars. I liekd it, i could actually relate, but it would've been better if Erika picked Chet or Johnny or that guy with the blonde hair, i dont know. I don't think Ms. Flake ended the story well. Too much suspense i guess.

Jacob's rules: ***** Excellent story great narration. I liked Marimba a lot too.

I know a stupid boy when i see one: *** i did not like the story. i wont really get into it because there are too many things to talk about but i will say this. UNREALISTIC

Hunting for boys: ***** Great story. no comment. Too good for words.

wanted: a thug: ****\* four and a half. I liked this story. Great suspense. I wish Ms Flake could make a continuation of these..oh well *sigh*

Not a boy and letter to my daughter are good as well. Both *** three stars.

Who am I without him?.......2006-11-22

I enjoyed reading this book because it had to do with teenagers just like me and how they handle some problems. This book is a great way to show teeagers how teenagers hadle their problems. So if you read this book you will understand how teenagers handle some issues. And if you are a adult then you will see how us teenagers handle some problems that we get.

Excellent!.......2006-10-27

Sharon, you did an excellent job with these short stories. My favorite was "Hunting for Boys." This book is all about girls and they boys they like. It's about learning about relationships. It demonstrates puberty and hormones kicking in. It reminds me of the saying by Dolly Parton on confusion: "they don't know whether to scratch their watch or wind their behind." Moms and Dads, please get this book for your daughters. They will enjoy the stories and may even find themselves in some of them. Each story has a different premise but they all tie into the same plot--getting with a boy. It reminds me when I first started liking boys when I was in junior high. I definitely recommend this book for the average teenager. Well done, Sharon, and keep 'em coming.

Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In The Lives Of African-American Men

Average customer rating:

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?
Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In
A Must Read
Why are so many Black Men in Prison?
Why are so many blacks in prison?

Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In The Lives Of African-American Men
Demico Boothe
Manufacturer: Full Surface Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Penology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0979295300

Product Description

African-American males are being imprisoned at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Out of the 10.4 million Black adult males in the U.S. population, nearly 1.5 million are in prisons and jails with another 3.5 million more on probation or parole or who have previously been on probation or parole. Black males make up nearly 75% of the total prison population, and due to either present or past incarceration is the most socially disenfranchised group of American citizens in the country today. This book details the author's personal story of a negligent upbringing in an impoverished community, his subsequent engagement in criminal activity (drug dealing), his incarceration, and his release from prison and experiencing of the crippling social disenfranchisement that comes with being an ex-felon. The author then relates his personal experiences and realizations to the seminal problems within the African-American community, federal government, and criminal justice system that cause his own experiences to be the same experiences of millions of other young Black men.

Customer Reviews:

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?.......2007-08-04

Demico Boothe has explored the reasons so many black men are indeed in prison in, WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON? He begins with his own story of a shaky upbringing and his subsequent dabbling in drug dealing. He was caught with a few grams of crack cocaine but because it was the dreaded crack, he was given 10 years in prison. When he left prison after serving his time, he was actually railroaded back into prison by a crooked justice system. He delves deeply into our justice system and the motives behind all the new prisons that are being built. He gives succinct and reasonable views of exactly what is happening now in the United States and how the past has played a role in the present. He uses persuasive statistics regarding the number of black men in prison as compared to the number of white men who are incarcerated.

Demico Boothe has done an excellent job of researching his subject and it is a plus, if unfortunate for him, that he has actually experienced first hand what he's talking about. I knew I was hearing the real story rather than just statistics from an intellectual who had no real idea of what the prison system is really like. I would have liked for Boothe to search a little deeper into the Haiti, Aristide and USA question, maybe even reading Randall Robinson's take on the situation, and then he might see it a bit differently. Otherwise, it is a good book and one every one in America should read. We indeed, have a crisis going on.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Why Are So Many Black Men In Prison? A Comprehensive Account Of How And Why The Prison Industry Has Become A Predatory Entity In.......2007-06-09

The book was very interesting. I learned soooo much about the government and the prison industry. I did some searching independantly to check on the things reported in the book and they are very true. Great Read!! Buy the book.

A Must Read.......2007-05-25

Mr. Demico's book is a must-read for anyone concerned about young African American men. Although I did not agree with every conclusion he reached, Demico's main premises are convincing. As a white woman who teaches mainly students of color, I am always impressed, and often in awe, of those young men who reach college with so much going against them. Demico's books lays bare not only the horrible inequalities of our society, but also the racist attitudes of our political system - - Democrats, Republicans, and most everyone in between.

Why are so many Black Men in Prison?.......2007-05-13

I is a well put together book. He really goes into a lot of detail of how our society is really set up.

Why are so many blacks in prison?.......2007-05-12

I found this book very interesting. As a white devil myself, I had no idea that I was responsible for forcing blacks into committing crimes and then subsequently clogging up the whole "Prison Industrial Complex"(tm). I will try to stop causing this, as I am sure it is creating a LOT of trouble for everyone! Sorry!

It is probably also my fault that young black men dressed in XXXXL clothes overtly threaten me and my family members routinely. Can anyone tell me what I should do to make this not happen?

I imagine it's also my fault that black on white violent crime is WAY higher than white on black violent crime, even though blacks constitute about 12.5% of the population, and whites are about 70%. But since it is impossible for a black to commit a hate crime according to our criminal justice system (since blacks are not under any circumstances racist), statistically, there are more white on black hate crimes. Boothe notes a statistic regarding hate crimes, but he skips the one about interracial violence in general.

In sum, Boothe notes that just about everything blacks do is actually MY fault, because my skin is white. Boothe, I've got a word for you.

Introspection.

Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Provocative thesis, but a little long
Shifting: Excellent Work
Ladies, We Need This
We are still Shifting!

Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America
Charisse Jones , and Kumea Shorter-gooden
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Discrimination & Racism | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Women's Studies | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060090553
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Book Description

Based on the African American Women's Voices Project, Shifting reveals that a large number of African American women feel pressure to com-promise their true selves as they navigate America's racial and gender bigotry. Black women "shift" by altering the expectations they have for themselves or their outer appearance. They modify their speech. They shift "White" as they head to work in the morning and "Black" as they come back home each night. They shift inward, internalizing the searing pain of the negative stereotypes that they encounter daily. And sometimes they shift by fighting back.

With deeply moving interviews, poignantly revealed on each page, Shifting is a much-needed, clear, and comprehensive portrait of the reality of African American women's lives today.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-07-15

This book was excellent and very thought-provoking. I borrowed a copy from the library, but feel compelled to purchase it & add it to my private collection

Provocative thesis, but a little long.......2006-06-29

Shifting provides an interesting take on the psycho-social demands on African American women, but the readers in my book club agree that it is too long and redundant-- the material of a magazine article extended to book length.

Shifting: Excellent Work.......2006-05-16

This book was one of my references for my Master's Thesis. This topic and the research was so relevant and so compelling and true. I am an African-American woman and I have worked inside Corporate America for the past 23 years and yes I shift. I also find myself shifting with Black men, shifting with middle and upper class blacks, and shifting with members of my family who live in the worst parts of the inner city. It is an emotionally and psychologically grueling process--and most of the world doesn't have a clue about the nature of it all. During the process of writing my thesis, my college advisors, who are White feminists, couldn't understand why I wouldn't jump on their bandwagon and give race the obligatory mention that they did. They wanted all women to unite and fight White, male hegemony--never recognizing the White, female hegemony that exists inside Women's Studies Departments. They couldn't understand that the sexism that I experience is totally different from the sexism that they experience because my sexism always has that element of race--even if it's a Black man dealing it. Black women are accustomed to shifting, it's almost a cellular memory for us now. We continue to strive and grow, although we are the most maligned segment of society. African American Studies departments are dominated by African American males and Women's Studies departments are dominated by White females, usually feminists. I found my ability to study topics relevant to Black women severely hampered by the censorship of White female academics--Shifting was a real gem for me. Books like this have a hard time passing academic muster because the academicians giving or withholding approval have no frame of reference for the experience--so of course they dismiss it as inconsequential. Isn't it amazing that in this day and age there are no African American Women's Studies departments in any university anywhere in the U.S. If that doesn't demonstrate our position in society--what does? Where is our unique and distinct voice? This wonderful book is a start. Hats off to a great piece of work.

Ladies, We Need This.......2006-01-04

I can't believe they covered as much ground in this one book as they did, but god bless them, because we sisters need this so much. This book is just absolute perfection and I commend the two women who wrote it.

I also want to draw your attention to Marita Golden's book "Don't Play In the Sun" and to anything written by the African (raised by Black Americans) writer Kola Boof, especially her black love story "Flesh and the Devil". These books are new masterpieces that empower and lift the black woman as well as the black man and the black family.

We need this new spirit that is starting.

We are still Shifting!.......2005-10-02

The "Shifting" authors, Charisse Jones, USA Today correspondent and Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Ph.D., psychologist, did an excellent job in taking research composed from the American Women's Vices Project and putting it into a book using an average reader's language. The book covers many aspects of an African American woman's life and the shifting she goes through to adapt to various professional and personnel situations. Through some of the information is dated it was still informative and in most cases some of the examples are relevant today.

Their writing style was very good and the book's information was grouped adequately with valid life examples to support concepts presented. However, I will say that the majority of the information was depressing. This should tell you something about the lives that African American women face every day.

Overall, I give the book a four rating based on its information, easy read, and real life stories. Except for some editing that was needed to remove some repetitive information, I would recommend this book to any African American woman who wants to know more about African American women work stories and to see how others have dealt with it. Buy this book for the African American woman in your life.

Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives: Sudanese Refugees in Minnesota

Average customer rating:

Anthropology the old-fashioned way
Nuer Journeys, Nuer lives: Sudanese Refugees in minnesota

Nuer Journeys, Nuer Lives: Sudanese Refugees in Minnesota
Jon D. Holtzman
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Emigration & Immigration | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0205296793

Book Description

This book examines contemporary migration to the United States through a surprising and compelling case study the Nuer of Sudan, whose traditional life represents one of the most important case studies in the history of anthropology. In understanding the experiences of the Nuer, readers will not only gain insights into the world of the refugee problem and the role of immigration in the Unites States, they will also learn about the features of Nuer life which are considered a standard part of the anthropology curriculum. The book juxtaposes elements of Nuer culture which are well-known within anthropology and featured in most anthropology textbooks with new developments arising from the immigration of many other Nuer to the U.S. in the 1990s as refugees from civil war in southern Sudan. Consequently, this book will fit well within existing anthropology curricula, while providing an important update on descriptions of traditional life. In addition to fascinating vignettes and case studies, this book provides an opportunity to examine issues of current importance within anthropology, such as social change, transnationalism, displacement, and diaspora in a way which is easy to understand and through a familiar example. For anyone interested in cultural anthropology, race, and ethnicity.

Customer Reviews:

Anthropology the old-fashioned way.......2001-05-09

For years the Twin Cities area has been home to a surprising number of African refugees fleeing some of the world's most brutal conflicts. In the 1980s it was Ethiopians and Eritreans; in the 1990s Somalis and Sudanese joined them. Walk down any street in South Minneapolis on a warm day and you're likely to see dozens of women wearing distinctive Somali garb. Tens of thousands such people now inhabit the Twin Cities. Why are they there? How did they make the long and difficult journey? How are they adapting to life in the United States?

Anthropologist Jon Holtzman helps provide some of the answers with respect to one particular group. Minnesota's Nuer population is a tiny component of this larger group--Holtzman estimates that there were only 400 or so at the time of his study, and many have since moved on to new locations outside the state. But given the importance of the Nuer in the development of the field of anthropology (through E. Evans-Pritchard's seminal fieldwork among them), this group was a natural choice for Holtzman's attentions.

The text first provides historical background to the Sudanese civil war and the conditions that forced many Nuer to flee, first to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, and eventually to the U.S. Its second section deals with the initial establishment of the Nuer population in Minnesota, and notably with the mundane but all-important realities of work, education, social services, and car payments as experienced by these newcomers. Next, Holtzman focuses on changing family dynamics and gender roles. He concludes with a section on responses to the Nuer within the wider American-born population of the Twin Cities. Throughout, his writing is extremely straightforward and his descriptions are crystal clear.

"Nuer Journeys" is strongest when it contrasts Nuer people's present first-world social environments with their previous lives in East Africa; the author shows how the refugees constantly struggle to adjust to and make sense of their new home. Their dependence on state and local social services--welfare and health care--frequently causes them stress; when they work, however, they are faced with a new and equally daunting set of challenges. The sections dealing with acquiring, operating, and paying for motor vehicles is especially revealing. ("A car is a bad cow," he quotes one of his subjects as saying: this remark must be interpreted in the cultural context of the Nuer, who traditionally have valued cattle above all else.) Holtzman presents the difficulties and absurdities of his subjects' hybrid existence with insight and compassion.

Unlike most anthropological studies today, "Nuer Journeys" contains very little theoretical discussion or reference to social thought. Holtzman's list of sources is relatively short, and consists largely of other ethnographies, as well as more prosaic documents on refugee resettlement, employment patterns, and auto accident rates. Consequently, the book reads more like an old-fashioned ethnography of half a century ago than like modern anthropology. This is fine with me, and while I would have liked to see Holtzman bring in "the big picture" a little more often, I applaud his simple and direct approach in crafting this study. He includes just enough personal anecdotes to allow a bit of himself and his own connection to the Nuer to show through the text.

Nuer Journeys, Nuer lives: Sudanese Refugees in minnesota.......2000-09-22

Holtzman, made a behavioral research on Nuer people, while designed his plot to analyse the Cultural viewpoint.

Reading this book does not only give you a broader insight of Nuer as a cultural community, but also an individual Nuer back the "prophtic" days of Ngundeng in the end of 19th Century Sudan. For many Nuers, this transformation meant lost of identity as to regard of ancestoral home, but also positively fulfilled one of Ngendengs predictions of the Better generation to come. Ngundeng was an enthusiast about the western technology, which was rejected by most Nuers elders then.

Nuer Journeys, Nuer lives also remines me of redressing issues considered to be of important cultural value in two different angles: The current cultural transformation in due to war in Sudan, and this strong, peaceful influence of American way of life. This book could also be used as a basis of peaceful cultural transformation v.s forceful coersion/assimilation in addressing the comparative advantages. The section refering to Nuer Refugees in American churches reflects an interesting Nuer cultural phenomena on how believes on freedom to worship and associate, which was not granted in the Religious governed Sudan.

Nuer culture is like a shrub which dies when transplanted, but endures when confined. This book explains Nuer culture being at odds with multiculturism, which means it takes a while for them to be transformed and transform Americans as well.

This is a piece of craft from Jon.

Peace,

Book Description

How to Get Over the Drama and Live Your Best Life! piritual Lessons for My Sisters takes readers one step beyond the advice found in Munson's successful first book and shows them the path to a happier, more productive life. Offering strategies to help women remove themselves from the drama, issues, obstacles, negative people, bad environments, and fears that are holding them back, Munson helps them create the kind of life they have always wanted. From basic lessons like 'Be Careful Who You Hang Around' and 'Life Is About Timing,' to more complex advice like 'Leave a Legacy' and 'Patience Is a Form of Faith,' Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters is a perfect complement to Munson's Life Lessons for My Sisters and belongs on the shelves of women of all ages.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters: How to Get Over the Drama and Live Your Best Life!.......2007-07-17

Reading Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters is like having a real heart to heart chat with a close friend- the type of friend who stands beside you during the tough times and inspires you to do better but also calls you on your self-destructive behaviors and kicks your butt when you need that too.

The book consists of seventy-five life lessons. Each of these realizations is explored using analogy, common situations, real life experiences, and in some cases poetry. These notes encourage woman to look within, take responsibility for their lives, seek happiness, and to have faith in themselves, their future, and in their spiritual beliefs.

Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters contains a powerful message that speaks to our often hidden genuine selves- the part of each of us that wishes to take control of our lives, seek healthy relationships, strive for fulfilling careers, and ultimately enjoy both the good times and the more challenging aspects of our lives. The author shows us that achieving our goals and having a life of contentment is completely realistic and within the grasp of all who choose to work towards that end.

PICK YOU UP WHEN YOU ARE DOWN.......2007-02-01

I readed Ms. Munson first book and enjoyed it over and over. I actually read the book twice. But when I started reading "SPIRITUAL LESSONS FOR MY SISTERS" I enjoyed her writing even more. Natasha, really have express her self in both books for young, old, divorce and single. The book had a changing effect on my life. I would like to tell everybody who have had great experience in their life and bad expperience in their life to read this book it will change your life for the better.

Amazingly Life Changing.......2006-12-16

My initial intention was to read a lesson in this book each time my spirit needed a pick-me-up. However, when I began reading, I could not put it down. I finished reading it in two days. My spirit is now refreshed.

This book touches on several key issues that can hinder one's spiritual growth. There are key points listed that can serve to combat this unfortunate hindrance. It is never too late to recognize the areas in one's life that are craving for change. Change is essential to the developement of a spiritually prosperous life.

The keys to unlocking one's potential are presented within this book. Open it up and you will be surprised and amazed at the impact Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters will have on your life. You will learn how to let go of your past as you move towards a more fulfilling future.

Most Powerful, Life Changing and Empowering Book You Will Ever Read!.......2006-10-29

Spiritual Lessons For My Sisters takes readers one step beyond the advice found in her first well received book entitled Life Lessons for My Sister. Spiritual Lessons for My Sister shows you the path to a happier, more productive life. Offering strategies to help women remove themselves from the drama, issues, obstacles, negative people, bad environments, and fears that are holding them back, Natasha helps women create the kind of life they have always wanted. From basic lessons like "Be Careful Who You Hang Around" and "Trust in Yourself," to more complex advice like "Leave a Legacy" and "The Choices That Affect Our Lives."
Spiritual Lessons for My Sister is written in a voice that comes across like a best sister- friend that loves you enough to tell you when you are out of control, hug you when you're ready to fall apart, pick you up when you're stretched out flat on your face. Spiritual Lessons For My Sisters is one of the most Powerful, Life Changing, Empowering books you will EVER read. It is a perfect compliment to Munson's Life Lessons and belongs on the shelves of women of all ages.
Read and be blessed!

Submitted by: Tonya S. Hall for GoodGirlBookClubOnline & The GOOD GIRL Book Club Worldwide

Average customer rating:

Lessons Learned
2008 Can't Come Soon Enough
Good Read
"Four Of The Finest Wines and how they mature in their own time..."
The Title Says It All

Live and Learn
Niobia Bryant
Manufacturer: Dafina
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 075821720X

Book Description

Set in her hometown of Newark, NJ, this popular bestselling author brings you a hip, sexy, and drama-filled story of four friends with choices to be made, sins to be forgiven, and lessons to learn.

BOOK DESCRIPTION
It's 24/7 money to burn, it's fancy houses, designer clothes, and luxury cars. It's leaving no-pay jobs and crumbling projects to have everything mad cash flow. And best friends, Alize, Dom, Moet, and Cristal will do anything to get the glamorous life--and put the past in the rear-view mirrors of their brand new whips. A savvy and smart business major, Alize had her childhood shattered by the divorce of her parents and is determined to never fall in love and risk being hurt. Dom learned early to use her sizzling-hot body to make much bank--and find an eascape from her too dark looks and drug-addicted mother. Disillusioned by the faith and strict parents she grew up with, Moet figures hooking up with powerful men is now the real way to heaven. And streetwise Cristal has a master plan to get the secutiry she never to knew as foster child.

To make these dreams come true, these sistahs will go after the East Coast's biggest movers-and-shakers--superstar rappers, mega-successful moguls, and powerful thugs-for-life. But between the wild times and wilder men, one of them is going to gamble one time too many, one will play a player too far, one will take a dangerous chance, and one will face a hard real-deal choice. To survive, they'll have to depend on each other and remember who they truly are to learn that the good life doesn't cost a thing...

Customer Reviews:

Lessons Learned.......2007-08-19

This is the first book I read by Ms. Bryant, but it definitely won't be the last. I was not sure what to expect from this author but I loved this book and felt like I knew the characters personally. I can't wait until 2008 to read the sequel. Keep up the good work - you have a new fan!!!!

2008 Can't Come Soon Enough.......2007-07-26

There are so many words to describe this book. Great! Fantastic! Wonderful. It will have you thinking on so many different levels. There are several underlying messages thru out. I have read many books from this author and this tops it. 2008, can not come quick enough, I am ready to see what will happen to Cristal, Dom, Alize, Moe. Niobia you have done a great job, keep the books coming.

Good Read.......2007-07-20

I read this book in one day! Very good book, I enjoyed this book and now I am waiting for the sequel since it left lots of unanswered questions. I want Moet to find love, Alize to get back with Cameron, to see if Dom is going to slip again and to see is Cristal is going to go back to her money hungry, wanna be baller wife ways! I can't wait to see!

"Four Of The Finest Wines and how they mature in their own time...".......2007-05-24

Beginning with Aliz'e, leading up to Cristal, let's not forget Dom, and we couldn't do with Moet!!! These four best friends all have life worked out to fit their own personal designs, which may not be perfect to someone else, but guess what, it's working for them.

ALIZ'E is a product of divorced parents and she's playing the field, albeit discreetly for that mighty dollar, while striving to keep her own ends intact. CRISTAL lives with the insecurity derived from being an orphan, but she's working independently to live that designer labeled life with a major player in her eyesight. Don't hate the player, hate the game! DOM battles low self-esteem due to her dark complexion and her gutter mother that has no problem smoking weed with her child, as long as she keeps the funds flowing frequently. She's a druggie and a stripper with a child that she doesn't have the time or patience for. And then there was MOET...she lives the good life, in church, all prim and proper all while under the watchful eyes of her super-saved parents, keeping it on the down-low doing the Diggety with the good reverend while bowed down in prayer!!! Whatchu say!!! "Live and Learn" is spell-binding with the unfolding of all the drama in these four ladies lives.

Ms. Bryant has mos def credited herself in this urban genre with a style of story-telling that will have your begging for more and dreading the assured ending! Sistagirl has been in the game for a while and shows that she DOES indeed have staying power! Rising to the occasion of getting out of her comfort zone with a job very well done! If you're searching for a great read, "Oops, here it is!" Get ya read on!

Kudo's Ms. Bryant!!!

The Title Says It All.......2007-05-17

What a page turner! In reading the first couple of pages I almost put this book down, because the nicknames Alize, Cristal, Dom & Moet gave the book a real "ghetto" start & immediately got on my nerves. I am so glad that I got past those first 3 or 4 pages because the story was very good, well written and had me experiencing deja vu. These four "sisters" wanting the finer things in life and sacrifing their morals, self respect & even their bodies to get them definately brought back memories of my early twenties. The funny thing is, just like these ladies, things were "all good," crazy and sooo much fun for me & my girlfriends until karma catches up with you. The title is so appropriate, because just as it states you "Live & Learn" as you travel through life's tumultuous ups and downs. Great Read

LIFE LESSONS FOR MY SISTERS: HOW TO MAKE WISE CHOICES AND LIVE A LIFE YOU LOVE!

Average customer rating:

Let go, let flow.
A book every young lady should have
Live and Learn
Combines Poetry with Life Lessons
This is the best book that i have read

LIFE LESSONS FOR MY SISTERS: HOW TO MAKE WISE CHOICES AND LIVE A LIFE YOU LOVE!
Natasha Munson
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Spiritual Lessons for My Sisters: How to Get Over the Drama and Live Your Best Life!
What's Really Holding You Back?: Closing the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be
Secrets of an Irresistible Woman: Smart Rules for Capturing His Heart
Listen to Your Life: Following Your Unique Path to Extraordinary Success
Having What Matters: The Black Woman's Guide to Creating the Life You Really Want

ASIN: 1401308058
Release Date: 2005-05-04

Book Description

How to Make Wise Choices and Live a Life You Love! earching for a life blessed with peace and happiness? Longing to move past old expectations and learn to live in the moment? Life Lessons for My Sisters is an inspirational guidebook and valuable resource for women who want to live a more meaningful life. Based on Natasha Munson's own personal experiences, the book was written to help young black women avoid many of the pitfalls she herself encountered on her road to adulthood. Written in pithy, inspirational chapters, each concluding with a wise observation about life, the book offers simple advice that women of all ages and backgrounds will appreciate and respond to.

Customer Reviews:

Let go, let flow........2007-03-24

I have literally read this book 4 times and each time I re-read it I gain new insight into my life. A good gift for any girlfriend and or teenager going through life's difficulties.

A book every young lady should have.......2005-09-23

This had everything from poetry to insight and it was all spoken from real life experiences the author lived through. Like another reviewer said, all the topics was followed by a summary that showed a outline of the main points. This book was informative and inspirational and gives teenage girls the best advice they could ever have, to love themselves before they can love others.

Live and Learn.......2005-08-11

Natasha Munson's book Life Lessons for My Sisters is a compilation of poetry, insight, and lessons based on the author's real life experiences. Munson describes in a unique, yet simplistic manner how to succeed in life and in love with an emphasis put on first knowing and loving one's self. I enjoyed that each point was often enhanced by a poem and after each topic, there was a summary to show the main points.

Life Lessons for My Sisters tackles all aspects of life in an informative and inspirational manner. Although the book seems to be geared toward a teenage/young adult audience, it contains information that women of all ages need to heed. I highly recommend this book for any girl or woman who needs guidance or positive affirmations in their lives.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
APOOO BookClub

Combines Poetry with Life Lessons .......2005-07-06

Life Lessons for My Sister by Natasha Munson is a motivational book that combines poetry with life lessons for women. Ms. Munson uses her own experiences and life lessons to reach out to other women, especially young adults to help them develop themselves.

The combination of poetry writings along with the inspirational lessons for everyday life makes this book a great motivational find. Life Lessons for My Sister is great for the individual that needs affirmative guidance to help them find their spirit.

Jen Murphy A SISTAGIRL BOOK CLUB REVIEWER

This is the best book that i have read .......2005-05-24

I love this book I was in the book store just looking for something to read i and pick this book up i read in in 30 mins it really helped me with all that was going on in my life and i was thinking to myself how can i met this lady she is great i need to talk to her and the next week i walked into the book store and there she was i could not believe that she was sitting there read and talking about this book i was so happy that i almost cryed. she is a great lady and i just want to thank you for writing this book it has changed my life it the best book in the world. it's like she knew me when she was writing or as women we all have the same kind of problems in life and she knows that. I think every girl women needs to read this book, this book need to be givin out in schools. Natasha just doesn't understand how much she has done for me. I have a business everybody on my team has to read this book i give them a book list and this is on top with Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill. Buy 5 copies of this book. Thank you Nataha

Dawn Burnside

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