Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Timmerman is the "preacher of hate."
  • Well Documented!
  • Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who and what is he??????
  • Thank You!
  • A Great Book about a complete Fraud!
Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
Kenneth R. Timmerman
Manufacturer: Regnery Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0895261081

Book Description

In this new paperback edition, the author exposes Jesse Jackson's life and works, uncovering a sordid tale of greed, ambition, and corruption from a self-proclaimed minister who has no qualms about poisoning American race relations for personal gain.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Timmerman is the "preacher of hate.".......2007-07-24

It's hard to miss how Timmerman is serving powerful interests by going after a very effective advocate for all working class people, not just African Americans. I hear Jesse Jackson's excellent radio show (Keep Hope Alive Radio) each weekend, and he is doing even more good work than most people could imagine. Jackson is there on picket lines when people are striking for better wages, or better working conditions. He is there when it comes to unjust sentencing regarding the death penalty, or the harsh penalties for drugs that pharmaceutical companies don't have a patent on. Jesse was there in Libya negotiating the release of a U.S. air force pilot who was being held there. Jesse is going all around the world promoting mutual respect and multicultural celebrations.
And the list of Jackson's positive contributions goes on and on.
What has Timmerman done with his life? Well, he has been paid to be a character assassin of the right-wing elite. Sometimes he'll go after individuals, sometimes he'll go after entire groups of people - like Muslim imams.
I'm sure it pays well to protect multi-billion dollar corporations from the "shakedowns" of activists like Jackson.
In an earlier period, America's right-wing would've killed Jackson, but they try to avoid creating martyrs, so they go with smear campaigns instead. Other members of the media lynch mob give Timmerman all kinds of publicity on America's airwaves, people like Sean Hannity and Limbaugh who also get paid to bear false witness in the interests of Big Business which hates activists, environmentalists, feminists, labor advocates, and anyone else who may reveal the insatiable greed of the corporate matrix.

How sad that so many fall for it; or, so many choose to be deceived by shameless preachers of hate like Timmerman.
Jesse: The Life and Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson

4 out of 5 stars Well Documented!.......2007-05-15

I've always known that Jesse Jackson was an opportunist and a liar. Now
I see him as much more than that! He is a danger to our Country and our way of life, and should be put UNDER the jail! The poor and uneducated who listen to him don't have a prayer of getting out of poverty until this man is off the scene. Let's hope he'll take to his rocking chair soon.

I don't get it.....bright and promising young men get sent to prison for having a marajuana cigarette .....and a man like Jesse remains free! Go figure!! He was called a 'poverty pimp' and a 'race baiter' by acquaintances in the book. I couldn't agree more. It literally makes me sick to see him BLAME instead of TEACH. And if I see him 'marching' for anything at all, I become suspicious and head the other way. How sad that he takes advantage of the poorest and least educated among us.

Jesse Jackson.... A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING!

5 out of 5 stars Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who and what is he??????.......2007-02-20

The research that Mr Timmerman did is astounding. I heard rumors years ago about how his version of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was different from those who were present. Let every lie be reveal and the truth be exposed.

5 out of 5 stars Thank You!.......2006-07-03

Thanks so much for this book about Jesse Jackson. Jesse Jackson is for himself. He has exploited Black people and used them for his own good. Where ever there is a cause he's present. Not so much for the sake of those involved, but more or less for his own benefit. It's ashame that he has to speak for the common good of man for a fee. Before he speaks he wants to come to a payment agreement. He uses Black people. A Black problem is his gain. Black people please get hip. Jesse Jackson is a pimp in the worse way. He pimps and profits from Black problems.

What if he had won the presidential election? You talking about a mess. He would have sold the country out. Jesse came to the town that I live in to help a candidate get elected. He tried to steal the spotlight. Jesse Jackson out talked and over talked the person running for election. He uses every chance that he can get to promote Jesse Jackson.

Jesse has no shame. It's all about him. Please stop paying him to speak. There is self gain in everything he does. He is a user. Racial problems and issues are his gain. He is glad when things go wrong. THINK ABOUT IT.

5 out of 5 stars A Great Book about a complete Fraud!.......2006-05-02

I've always had a thought about "REVERAND" Jackson, and this book proves it! Jesse jackson isn't black - He's just a white man that's so full of s**t tha his body long ago lost the ability to absorb it!
Why We Can't Wait (Signet Classics)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The title says it all
  • Why We Can't Wait
  • why we can't wait
  • I Needed More
  • Compelling but Repetitive
Why We Can't Wait (Signet Classics)
Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451527534

Book Description

In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Civil Rights movement and demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action. Why We Can't Wait recounts not only the Birmingham campaign, but also examines the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that future generations must accomplish to bring about full equality for African Americans. Dr. King's eloquent analysis of these events propelled the Civil Rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of the American consciousness.

With a special new afterword by The Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars The title says it all.......2007-01-12

Martin Luther King's work is synonymous with the civil rights movement. His powerful words were the very driving force that helped African Americans change the mindset of America. Why We Can't Wait is thought provoking and extremely well written, making this an exceptional work of literary art.
Martin Luther King Jr. truly was a man of the written word. His ability to string words and create sentences that literally roll off the tongue is nothing short of a miracle. As soon as I picked up this book, I was intrigued by his style and voice. This novel seemed like a very long, well thought out speech. Diction is excellent and King is brilliant in conveying every thought, every feeling he experiences. This book includes his world-famous Birmingham jail notes, another work that is just exemplary. Martin Luther King demonstrated the extreme power of the written word. Martin Luther King had won his reputation with just his mind, voice, and a pencil. . I would advise this to any writer that wishes to improve on their voice, style, and tone.
I will have to admit though that his voice can get bland after too much exposure. Halfway reading through this book, I thought that he was making the same points over and over again in different sentence structures and so forth. His speech is prolonged and sometimes seems much to slow to endure. Martin Luther can spend a whole chapter talking about one incident by bombarding his writing with metaphors and stories that relate to the situation. After a while his voice is almost predictable. The whole book seemed to talk only about a few topics and it really did seem interminable.
Regardless, Martin Luther King was a man that knew full well how to mold people by using words and ideas. His perseverance and hard work should be a model to people of today. Why We Can't Wait is brilliant and should be read with deep respect.

5 out of 5 stars Why We Can't Wait.......2007-01-12

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. is fascinating, read his book to understand the deepest and most personal thoughts of one of the most influential men in history! This book was a true "eye-opener" for me. History books fail to capture the true emotion and real personality of Martin Luther King Jr. King is commonly known by his "I had a Dream" speech, but after reading his autobiography, you will know that King has changed the world in more ways than one could ever imagine. His life is truly fascinating and hid writing is intriguing and suspenseful. It makes you contemplate how a man who has survived so many struggles and elements that are against him could have had such determination to persevere until his goal was reached.

Through this valuable account of history written by the most important figure in the movements for African Americans rights, one can see the true thought of such a genius character. Every detail of the Civil Rights movement is detailed, the amount of planning and courage that King and his peers were a part of is still unimaginable to this day. You become so involved in the Civil Rights movement when you read you feel as if you were a part of history itself! His thoughts on his most likely assassination, family and America itself can be read as well. This book is definitely a book that should be read in everyone's lifetime, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past of America, how far we have come to this day and how much more we still need to do to achieve racial equality.

4 out of 5 stars why we can't wait.......2007-01-12

King practiced what he preached. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Why We Can't Wait tells the story of King under a whole new light - one that I have never took the time to patiently immerse myself in. I have always taken King's life for granted. I mean, I knew he was a great revolutionary leader, who preached civil disobedience, much like Gandhi. However, I never truly appreciated what he did for his people. This book lays out every aspect of his thoughts. He cared and prayed for not only blacks, but white also. He followed his values and principles.
Throughout the book, He takes you through the workings of his mind. Everything he does is done is an organized fashion, because he truly believes that his way will work as long as everyone participates. He has faith in what he does. His great speaking ability lends him credibility as his charisma appeals to his audience. He understands what his people want. King wants equality as soon as possible, but rushing is never the key. His poised and composed nature gives him patience in everything he does. As obstacles are thrown at him, King takes one step at a time to take care of one problem at a time. He knows that his people are being thrown into jail cells for performing what King preached, but he believes that civil disobedience is the only way to approach this situation. His nonviolence approach does appeal nationwide, and most blacks do follow as they were deeply inspired and moved by his beliefs. As he preached civil disobedience at all costs, he does what he says. He is later thrown in jail in the novel for what he believed. Even though he is the leader of his organization, he was unafraid to face the white jail cells. However, he worried, not about his own health, but his people outside. He was unable to communicate and fully engage meetings to organize more important rallies. Money was an issue as he was faced with conflicts, which arose as a result of white oppression.
Overall, King's account of his civil disobedience approach is insightful and thought provoking. Despite the dangers of his job, he still continues to rally people to a nonviolent solution. The book is written finely as King writes of his personal experiences in a first person point of view. I would recommend this book if you want to find out more about the inner workings of King's mind and struggles.
However, the book gets a bit boring time to time. Though every situation is a process and progress towards equality, the writing does get a bit repetitive and can be easily stated in less information. But the book does give a good account of King's life long struggle towards African American equality.

3 out of 5 stars I Needed More.......2007-01-12

While I revere Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the hero of the Civil Rights Movement, I admit I was disappointed in Why We Can't Wait. Dr. King describes his past experience in the Civil Rights Movement and reflects on the positives of what have been done, and the need for society to continue progress beyond the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. This is a key point I'm glad Dr. King focuses his book on. The main problem I had with this book was that King's argument focuses on the good actions of his own church and its constituents but never describes further from there. Even as Dr. King portrays this struggle vividly and argues the necessity to continue the fight, I felt as though the power, the importance, and the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement were reduced to the union of the different religious groups involved. Dr. King didn't, at least not in this book, expand on some secular perspectives of the Civil Rights Movement. The one reference made in this book to other perspectives of the movement, of course besides the vicious racism of that time period, was to Elijah Muhammad's Black Nationalist movement. While Dr. King could have gone in to objectively criticize the problems with this movement, he instead implied that they were sinners in their own right. Since Dr. King's main message was that everyone work together to end racism, he could have offered that both sides put aside their differences and work together to achieve their common goal. But instead, Dr. King used religion instead of objective criticism to argue against Elijah Muhammad's Black Nationalism. Of course, one could argue that it makes perfect sense for Dr. King to argue with religious fervor since he originated as a reverend. But coming from someone who constantly spoke of uniting all Americans and of attempts to reach out beyond the African-American community, that wasn't the kind of thought provoking analysis I expected. Still, I can't honestly undermine how Dr. King brilliantly argues to the unsure reader of the 1960s why the Civil Rights Movement is essential not just to African Americans, but to all Americans. And yes, I know the sacrifices Dr. King made for the people of United States as he patiently fought against those who weren't even willing to consider this genius as their equal. He only needed to include different perspectives of the same fight.

3 out of 5 stars Compelling but Repetitive.......2007-01-10

Why We Can't Wait reveals the mindset and determination of one of America's most prominent African American civil rights activists, Martin Luther King Jr., explaining how he and other demonstrators, like Fred Shuttlesworth, through a nonviolent approach, helped African Americans fight for a less segregated world. This novel not only traces important events, such as the Birmingham Campaign during the Civil Rights Movement but also expresses Martin Luther King's perspective and involvement in the movement. With help from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or SCLC, Martin Luther King Jr. organized protests and marches in Birmingham against Eugene "Bull" Connor, Commissioner of Public Safety during the Birmingham Campaign. Martin Luther King's tactic was to gather a mass of people to march along the streets. He followed the Gandhian principle to "fill up the jails" in Birmingham. Before marching, every person who joined with Martin Luther King Jr. had to sign a Commitment Card, pledging themselves to the nonviolent movement. Each protestor was taught to hold in their anger and avoid violence, even if it meant being sent to jail or being beaten. Once jails were filled, the people that were arrested were moved to the fairgrounds due to lack of space in jails. Protestors waved banners and practiced sit-ins at local lunch counters and kneel-ins at local churches, causing Bull Connor to be very aggravated. Bull Connor fought off the protestors using fire hoses and attack dogs, injuring both adults and children alike. The fire hoses were at one time reported to have been strong enough to "peel bark off trees and separate bricks from mortar." Martin Luther King's nonviolent approach against Bull Connor's violent attacks was broadcast throughout the nation on television and radio, acting as a catalyst for social change.
In his novel, Martin Luther King Jr. explains why the African Americans cannot wait any longer for change to happen, that the African Americans have to make the change happen themselves. King explains the idea of tokenism. The government, to stop protests and appease demonstrators, would promise freedom for only a small group of African Americans, giving hope to the other African Americans that they would be free. However, since the government only promised a few people freedom, the other African Americans had their hopes given up. King analyzes the religious revival and the unity of the African Americans toward a single cause. He also passes on the message that it is the future generation's responsibility to grant African Americans full equality in the land of the free. He encourages followers to solve their present problems and not leave them for their children to fix.
Although sometimes his points felt redundant, Martin Luther King Jr. supports all of his arguments very well through a hodgepodge of powerful analogies and metaphors that depict the forces behind the events of the Civil Rights movement. Through his analytic view and insightful thoughts of the time period, King paints a clear image of the struggles and hardships of the African Americans during the 1960's. Being a firsthand participant in the Civil Rights Movement, King's account relates the motivations behind the movement as well as the impact of the activists' efforts. If you like learning not just the facts of history but also the reasons behind history, then you will greatly enjoy Why We Can't Wait.
Jesse: The Life and Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good and balanced view of a controversial individual
  • A vivid portrait of an American original
Jesse: The Life and Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson
Marshall Frady
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
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ASIN: 0743291441

Amazon.com

No other biographer has come as close as Marshall Frady has to correctly telling the story and understanding the mind of Jesse Jackson, arguably the most fascinating figure in contemporary American politics. Frady, who followed Jackson for years and had extensive access to him, rarely gets in the way when recounting Jackson's remarkable history from his humble background in Greenville, South Carolina, to his stirring campaign for the presidency. Frady also explains how Jackson can be viewed as both a political egomaniac and a great moral leader, a biographical synthesis that shows how deftly Frady has captured his subject.

Book Description

rom one of America's most influential journalists comes the paperback edition of the highly acclaimed biography of a compelling public figure, from his impoverished beginnings in South Carolina to his runs for the presidency. "A grand definitive biography . . . an American saga of the self-made man."--Chicago Tribune.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good and balanced view of a controversial individual.......2002-07-20

Neither a smear sheet or puff piece, this is a very objective and thorough look at the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Here you see both the good and bad. The infamous "King's blood" incident, the womanizing, the crudity and rudeness (that I've had the misfortune to expereince once), and the scandals are all here minus the Angela Parker case in 1971, oddly.

However, Frady does not let the reader forget the good that Jesse Jackson has done for society. We also him getting tearful Israeli and Palestinian children to come together in peace. We see him trying to unify poor Whites and Blacks in America (who even THINKS of doing that anymore?), we see him encouraging Black kids to forego delinquency and do better in school (I first saw him on one such occasion in 1978), and we see the successful instances in which he helped in the release of hostages. We also see that contrary to popular (mis)beleif, he has encouraged far more cooperation among the races than this far lesser contemporaries among what remains of "Black leadership."

Frady lets the reader know that in spite of Rev. Jesse Jackson's considerable and numerous flaws, the good that he has done cannot be dismissed.

In spite of this, there is a minor complaint. Frady gets to be a bit much with the dialect in trying to capture Rev. J/J's speech patters ("Yawl," "Great Gawd a mighty," "Looka heah," etc.).

4 out of 5 stars A vivid portrait of an American original.......1999-01-22

"Jesse" is a compelling examination of the fascinating life and times of an American original, civil rights leader and two-time presidential contender Jesse Jackson. This detailed, nuanced biography benefits from the author's nearly thirty years covering Jackson as a journalist, as well as the access Frady was granted his subject as a frequent traveling companion and from many interviews with Jackson, his family and colleagues. As a result, Frady has been able to create a intimate account of his subject's life and thought which seemingly allows the reader to get inside Jackson's head and understand his motivations and actions. Striving for a balanced portrayal, Frady does not shy away from Jackson's faults; commendably, he deals with them in a frank, fair manner while avoiding sensationalism. Ultimately, Frady suggests, all of Jackson's activities, from his early work with PUSH and Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, to his presidential campaigns and his incessant world travels, have been motivated by a common spirit of "gospel populism" and a desire to be seen not simply as a black leader but as a moral leader with a vision that transcends racial, cultural and economic boundaries. "Jesse" is not a perfect book; it seems at times a bit lengthy, and often Frady devotes seemingly endless attention to minor or obscure events and breezes over major ones (example: we repeatedly hear references and anecdotes about Jackson's 1989 trip to earthquake-stricken Armenia, but his 1988 speech at the Democratic National Convention - probably his most memorable public moment - is cursorily dispatched in two sentences). "Jesse" is probably not, as one reviewer suggested, the definitive biography of Jesse Jackson, but it is an important key to understanding the man, and in the absence of a definitive portrait, it will no doubt be the best Jackson biography available for a very long time.
Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A Story Poignantly Told In The Voice of A Loving Mother
  • Heartbreaking but wonderfully written.
  • Truly a Death of Innocence
  • Worth the Money
  • A Triumph Of Love Over Hatred And Despair
Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America
Mamie Till-Mobley , and Christopher Benson
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1400061172
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Book Description

There are many heroes of the civil rights movement—men and women we can look to for inspiration. Each has a unique story, a path that led to a role as leader or activist. Death of Innocence is the heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring story of one such hero: Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till—an innocent fourteen-year-old African-American boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and who paid for it with his life. His outraged mother’s actions galvanized the civil rights movement, leaving an indelible mark on American racial consciousness.

Mamie Carthan was an ordinary African-American woman growing up in 1930s Chicago, living under the strong, steady influence of her mother’s care. She fell in love with and married Louis Till, and while the marriage didn’t last, they did have a beautiful baby boy, Emmett.

In August 1955, Emmett was visiting family in Mississippi when he was kidnapped from his bed in the middle of the night by two white men and brutally murdered. His crime: allegedly whistling at a white woman in a convenience store. His mother began her career of activism when she insisted on an open-casket viewing of her son’s gruesomely disfigured body. More than a hundred thousand people attended the service. The trial of J. W. Milam and Roy Bryant, accused of kidnapping and murdering Emmett (the two were eventually acquitted of the crime), was considered the first full-scale media event of the civil rights movement.

What followed altered the course of this country’s history, and it was all set in motion by the sheer will, determination, and courage of Mamie Till-Mobley—a woman who would pull herself back from the brink of suicide to become a teacher and inspire hundreds of black children throughout the country.

Mamie Till-Mobley, who died in 2003 just as she completed this memoir, has honored us with her full testimony: “I focused on my son while I considered this book. . . . The result is in your hands. . . . I am experienced, but not cynical. . . . I am hopeful that we all can be better than we are. I’ve been brokenhearted, but I still maintain an oversized capacity for love.” Death of Innocence is an essential document in the annals of American civil rights history, and a painful yet beautiful account of a mother’s ability to transform tragedy into boundless courage and hope.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Story Poignantly Told In The Voice of A Loving Mother.......2005-07-29

Mother Mamie Till-Mobley will forever be remembered as a paragon of love, forgiveness, and indomitable strength. This moving memoir was told as only a mother could tell it with both tenderness and the maternal fervor that is so distinctly and universally "Mother." She paints for the reader a portrait of who Emmett was from the time of his birth up to his brutal death, and beyond. For the manner in which this 14-year-old boy was murdered so affected the consciousness of this nation that Emmett became a symbol of how hatred and racism in America not only doesn't exempt Black children, but demonstrates that they are so disposible as human beings that crimes against them go unpunished. The Emmett Till tragedy will forever serve as a shameful commentary on race relations in America, and how the sin of racism has left a permanent stain on the very flag that we say represents "liberty and justice for all."

Mother Mobley gives the reader delicious slices of her own backstory: her close relationship with her mother, her religious upbringing, and the demise of her first marriage (to Louis Till, Emmett's father), and subsequent marriage to Gene Mobley. The book draws you into the life of Mamie Till-Mobley and her family; the love and dedication shown to her by her own mother is almost tangible. The essence of who she was comes off the page. Throughout the pages you can sense her warmth, gentleness, and her strength. From the very beginning of the book, the reader gets to know Mamie as a woman of great strength and stoicism for early on her husband, Louis Till, was lynched while on a tour of duty in the U.S. Army. She goes on to raise her son alone for a season, teaching him responsibility and strict moral values. He turns out to be an obedient and responsible son who loves and respects his mother and grandmother.

The most moving passage was when Emmett's body is shipped back to Chicago. Mother Mobley along with members of the Black clergy, go to Union Station to retrieve her son's remains. She describes in detail the look of the ghastly box that held her 14-year-old baby; the awful stench that emanated from the box; and the emotion that she felt during this horrible juncture. You could feel the wrenching agony of this mother's soul when she describes her screams at the sight of the terrifying box that held her child. She, the funeral director, and her other relatives were ordered by Mississippi law officials not to open the box or there would be consequences. Naturally, this mother ignores this insane command vowing to pry the box open herself if need be. Once Emmett's body arrives at A.A. Raynor Funeral Parlour, Mother Mobley (against the strict admonition of law authorities)meticulously examines the body of her son. So grotesque were his remains, the funeral director suggested a closed casket service. However, Mother Mobley insists that her son's battered and monstrously bloated body be put on display for the world to see. She decribes how she started the examination of Emmett at his toes, and inch by inch she painstakingly worked her way up his thighs, middle, chest, ears one of which had been cut off, his pertruding tongue, and eventually to his enormously swollen head. She decribes his knees with reminisces of how they had been when he was an infant. She decribes her relief that his manhood hadn't been severed for castration was the all-too-familiar calling card of a lynch mob. She exercises grace and modesty when she examines his private parts, explaining how "Emmett would have a fit if he knew [she] was looking at him like this." She had such a connection to her son that even while examining his corpse, she respected his privacy as would any other mother of her adolescent son.

Mamie Till-Mobley's story takes the reader on a journey of love, tragedy, and forgiveness. This woman's faith is evident in the pages of this book. She relies on her faith and is able to forgive the vicious beasts who mutilated her boy. She forgives a country and a justice system that not only acquitted these killers, but reprehensibly subjected her to ridicule and various indignities during that farce they called a trial. And she forgives a president who shows cold indifference when she turns to him for help after having exhausted all legal channels trying to get justice for Emmett. Her strength knew no boundaries. In her later years she dedicated herself to mothering the children of others by first becoming a public school teacher, serving as a church mother in her local church, and establishing a drama group for children. She traveled the country speaking out against hatred and violence. Her healing came through the avenue of giving and not allowing this tragedy, painful as it was, to cause her to withhold her love. She never gave up the fight to get justice for her son; she was in her eighties when she departed this life in January 2003, and she fought for Emmett until the very end. She showed the tenacity and the depth of a mother's love--a love so great, only God's is greater. She was a remarkable woman--a remarkable mother. This was a remarkable story.

5 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking but wonderfully written........2005-07-15

Mamie Till Mobley is the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. I wish I had been able to give her a hug. This book should be required reading in every History class. I hope that the recent exhumation of Emmett's body will find evidence to bring some kind of justice to this most horrific tragedy.

5 out of 5 stars Truly a Death of Innocence.......2005-05-20

I could not put this book down. My heart and soul wept for Mamie and her Mother. I felt as though I lived alongside them when reading each and every paragraph. I found myself living amongst them in Argo, Illinois. Watching each and every move they made from the moment of Emmett's birth to his death. This was such a very sad time for America. I still cannot comprehend how two grown men could be filled with so much hate that they would murder a child over an alleged whistle. Emmett grew up in Chicago with no fear at all. I thought about his last moments in Mississippi. Was he afraid? Did he think they would have let him go back to his granduncles home? This was truly a sad time in history and Mamie Till-Mosley suffered until her death at the loss of her son. I am happy that they have reopened Emmett's case and the 6 people still alive will be punished. He did not deserve to die this way. This book is a must read for every able bodied American to see how hate can destroy. Mamie fought each and everyday. Her speaking engagements throught the country. She refused to let Emmett's death be in vain. The next time I visit Illinois, I will make it a point of driving down Emmett Till Road. This book is a must read.

5 out of 5 stars Worth the Money.......2005-03-22

I read this book over the weekend and I could not put it down. It's one thing to read a book from someone who puts together a story of what they heard what happen but to read a story from Mamie Till on how her son was murdered and to feel her pain is something totally different. She was a brave woman to do what she did and to write a book about her young son. Wonderfully written.

5 out of 5 stars A Triumph Of Love Over Hatred And Despair.......2004-12-15

Have you ever picked up one of those books that is of such quality and intensity that you just couldn't put it down no matter what? Well, I just read one. And that was "Death Of Innocence" by Mamie Till-Mobley, mother of murdered teenager Emmett Till. I can't tell you how hard it was to not put this book down. Mrs. Till-Mobley tells in engrossing detail the path her life took after August 28, 1955 when, while on a vacation to visit relatives in Mississippi, Emmett Till (or "Bobo" as he was affectionately known) was kidnapped from the home of his great uncle and subsequently tortured and murdered. Mrs. Till-Mobley goes on to describe how she struggled to turn her own personal tragedy into a drive for freedom, dignity and understanding for everyone no matter the race, creed or color of the individual. She also describes the place that her faith in God had in enabling her to move on. It also shows what can happen when mankind allows its passions to overule its reason and common sense. I'd just like to conclude by saying that I enjoyed this book immensely and I would recommend that everyone with even an ounce of compassion to read this book with an open mind and an open heart. You'll be glad you did.
The Truth of the Matter: My Life in and Out of Politics
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • The Truth Hurts
The Truth of the Matter: My Life in and Out of Politics
Bert Lance
Manufacturer: Summit Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Carter, JimmyCarter, Jimmy | ( C ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671690272

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars The Truth Hurts.......2005-01-03

One of the down sides to being a political junkie and having access to Amazon is that you can find and buy almost any book written by anyone that came within 10 feet of the White House. What happens is that you come across books that you might hold a slight interest in, but due to their relative inexpensive price you go ahead and buy the book. This book firmly falls into that category. The author was a long time friend of Jimmy Carters and helped him get into office. As a reward Carter appointed the author to head the OMB. Here lies the first two problems with this insiders tail, first the author is a long time friend of the President so no real hard criticism will be forth coming. Second, he headed the OMB, which is an important position, but lets face it, rather dull. So dull in fact that the author did not spend more the 50 words talking about anything that he did as the head of the department.

So we have a book from an inside player in the Carter Administration, that does not really talk about the job he did and due to his personal relationship with the President, does not really give the reader much more then an exaggerated and cherry picked highlight real. Sure the author put in a few items that he disagreed with the President on, but they seemed minor and forced. So what do we get, about 35% of the book is the author defending himself on the irregular banking charges that drove him from the OMB job and made his name one of the top 5 names from the Carter years even though he was only in the administration for less then one year. Yet at the end of the day I really don't know what he was accused of doing. All I do know is that the author thought it was unfair, that the media hounded him, and that he was acquitted on all counts. Given that it appears to me that the main focus on the book was for the author to clear his name it would have been nice to provide more detail on the charges.

The last criticism I would want to spell out is that I found the author a bit hypocritical on one point. He spent a good amount of time talking about how the press was unfair in the way they reported the charges against him and the trial. I would have to agree that the press can usually trample the weak when it comes to a headline story and the author made a number of good points about putting in print one sided and vague charges. But then he did the same thing in regards to the Reagan Administration and the October Surprise. He repeated the accusation that Bill Casey had made a deal with the Iranians to hold on to the hostages until after the election. This left a sour taste in my mouth, regardless how I feel about the whole hostage / Carter / Reagan issue, for the author to cry fowl on unsubstantiated charges leveled against him and then do the same against others spoke volumes to me about character.

Overall there was not much interesting in the book and I would think that it would only be read by a researcher on the Carter years. I would pass it by unless you are a die hard political junkie like myself.
Jesse Jackson: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Jesse Jackson: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
    Roger Bruns
    Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    African-American & BlackAfrican-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    PoliticalPolitical | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    ReligiousReligious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
    ActivismActivism | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
    Biographies & MemoirsBiographies & Memoirs | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
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    ASIN: 0313331383

    Book Description

    Jesse Jackson, a powerful orator and indefatigable organizer, has been one of the most dynamic forces for social and political action in both the national and international arenas, campaigning for human rights and social justice. Through such social action projects as Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH, and the Rainbow Coalition, as well as his own candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988, Jackson became a worldwide spokesman for the minorities, marginalized, and poor. This biography traces his rise from his single-parent upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina, through his civil rights work with Martin Luther King Jr., to social and political leadership, audacious international diplomacy, and continued efforts to "keep hope alive." It also covers his personal struggles and family life and includes commentary from those who have known him over the years. For decades, Reverend Jesse Jackson has been the nation's foremost African-American activist and leader. He has used his considerable talent, charisma, and ambition with great success, and the many accomplishments are discussed here. Readers will learn how Jackson has manipulated the system to fight for economic justice and political goals, breaking new ground. He and his actions have also engendered towering animosity, resentment, and scorn, and critical views of him are presented as well. Numerous photos complement the biography.
    Jesse Jackson: A Voice for Change (Great Lives Series)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Jesse Jackson: A Voice for Change (Great Lives Series)
      Steve Otfinoski
      Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
      Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | United States | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: 0449904024
      Release Date: 1990-01-03

      Book Description

      The story of the rise to prominence of America's most influential black leader. Join Jesse on his extraordinary journey across the American political landscape -- from his days as a young civil rights activist working with Martin Luther King, Jr., to his two riveting campaigns for president.
      I Am Somebody!: A Biography of Jesse Jackson
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        I Am Somebody!: A Biography of Jesse Jackson
        James Haskins
        Manufacturer: Enslow Publishers
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Library Binding

        People of ColorPeople of Color | Biographies | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
        PoliticalPolitical | Biographies | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | United States | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        African-American StudiesAfrican-American Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 0894902407
        Jackson Phenomenon
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Jackson Phenomenon
          Elizabeth Colton
          Manufacturer: Doubleday
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
          Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | 20th Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
          Civil RightsCivil Rights | United States | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 0385260709
          Release Date: 1989-05-01
          Jess: The Political Career of Jesse Marvin Unruh
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Jess: The Political Career of Jesse Marvin Unruh
            Jackson K. Putnam
            Manufacturer: University Press of America
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
            PoliticalPolitical | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
            Jackson, JesseJackson, Jesse | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
            GovernmentGovernment | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: 0761830677

            Books:

            1. Shrub : The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush
            2. Simple Genius
            3. Site Engineering for Landscape Architects
            4. Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time
            5. Stalin's Ghost: An Arkady Renko Novel
            6. Staying Healthy With Nutrition, 21st Century Edition: The Complete Guide to Diet & Nutritional Medicine
            7. Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail (Oprah's Book Club)
            8. Supervisory Management: The Art of Inspiring, Empowering, and Developing People
            9. The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill: On Liberty, the Subjection of Women and Utilitarianism (Modern Library Classics)
            10. The Bedford Guide for College Writers with Reader, Research Manual, and Handbook

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