With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together

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Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee met in 1945, when they were both performing in the same play on Broadway; Davis, resuming an acting career that had been interrupted by a World War II tour of duty in Liberia, was cast as the male lead, while Dee was originally hired as understudy to the female lead and soon found herself taking over the part. Three years later, still working together, they took advantage of a rehearsal-free day in their schedule to get married--and have been together through thick and thin ever since.

Trading turns with one another, Davis and Dee discuss the high and low points of more than a half century in each other's company. With Ossie & Ruby has enough stories for at least three books, covering the world of stage and film, the history of the civil rights movement, and the endurance of love and marriage. Their telling, in alternating first-person narration, is unflinching in its portrayal of the hardships they endured for being black-skinned and "left-wing" political activists--and equally firm in their continued dedication. This is a first-rate memoir by a man and a woman--each with a thriving career--who have collaborated to form a union even greater than the sum of its parts.

Book Description

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee are legendary stars of the American stage, television, and film, a beloved and revered couple cherished not just for their acting artistry but also for their lifelong commitment to civil rights, family values, and the black community. Now they look back on a half- century of their personal and political struggles to maintain a healthy marriage and to create the record of distinguished accomplishment that earned each a Presidential Medal for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.

With Ossie and Ruby overflows with consummate storytelling skill developed by decades in the spotlight. From their early years as struggling actors in Harlem's black theater to Broadway and Hollywood stardom, they regale the reader with colorful, entertaining tales of the places they've been and the people they've met. But their charming humor is leavened with a more serious side, as they share their experiences of keeping a family together in a world where scandal and divorce is the rule, and of being artists and political activists in an era of intense racial ferment. Born into the struggle, their characters were shaped by the dynamic collisions of life, politics, and art; and from those experiences, they achieved some sense of their worth as married people, friends, and lovers.

Warm, positive, and compelling, this is a book that will surprise and challenge readers everywhere -- black and white, male and female, young and old. Lifting the veil of public image, media hype, and mystique, Ossie and Ruby speak of the real-life dilemmas and rewards of their lifelong search for purpose and value.

Customer Reviews:

Good read.......2007-07-09

Good read for anyone that wants to see what can keep a marriage together for a few decades. Also, great perspective on why they are both of historical significance and should be more praised as icons.

Truly inspiring!.......2007-02-05

I love Ossie and Ruby. Their story is inspirational. They are true survivors. I loved hearing them tell their story in their own words. It was funny, touching and at times heart wrenching what they went through. They are true icons of not only African American history, but American history.

a great book written by two extraordinary legends............2006-10-31

I am so glad I read Ruby Dee's biography on the internet or I would have never known that she and her (late) husband, Ossie Davis, had written memoirs together, recounting their 50(+) year relationship. This book is a combination of genuinely warm and humorous passages, as well as insightful, deeply profound and moving chapters. They literally have a dialogue together, at some points of the book, even gently (and not so gently) correcting each other on stories and minute details that the other omitted.

Not only is this book wonderful from an historic point of view (it delves into the Civil Rights Movement and Dee's and Davis' role in that, as well as their experiences with racism, discrimination and the struggle to succeed in their craft, as actors of color--particularly African-American actors), but we also get a sense of how these two great individuals came to be the amazing actors/writers/producers/directors that we know today. While Dee always knew she was going to be on stage, Davis was initially going to become a playwright (though, fate had different plans). Together, they had children, grandchildren, and multitudes of life adventures (with plenty of bumps and u-turns along the way). Some may be surprised (and shocked) by the fact that Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis had an open marriage, when their jobs took them on the road and away from each other. Surprisingly, this brought them closer together. This was unexpected, to me, and it was intriguing to read their take on that (controversial) marriage choice that they made mutually.

I really reccomend this book, and I think more people should know about it. These people are legends in their craft, and they are not only wonderful actors, but very talented writers. I look forward to reading Ruby Dee's "My One Good Nerve" from which she adapted a touring show by the same name, in 1996.

Candid look at the theater, Hollywood, marriage and America.......2006-06-30

Legendary husband and wife actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee tell, with much seriousness, whimsy and candor, their respective humble beginnings, their ultimate meeting and romance in the theater, and the struggles they faced as actors, as well as African-Americans in a time of civil and political change. Though they both sought success on the stage and screen, they were also influential in achieving rights for actors, as well as African-American during the Civil Rights Movement.

The pair mingled with the powerful on the Broadway stage (Howard da Silva, Lorraine Hansbury, etc.), rising stars of the movies (Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, John Cassavettes, Richard Widmark, to cite a few), and political powerhouses like Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Never afraid to voice their political views, the pair even became "persons of interest" during the Communist "witch hunts" of the fifties.

Davis and Dee also reveal interesting tidbits about their married life. Speaking of their "open marriage" is quite a surprise but as one reads on, it is discovered that "infidelity" was not something that was not the norm, just an understanding that should something occur outside the bonds of marriage, it would be honestly admitted.

The book's format allows each of the actors to reveal his/her take on common events in their lives. Both come across as truly unique yet complimentary and complementary of the other.

An informative appendix at the book's end provides the reader with all the theatrical, television, and stage productions, along with audio performances, made by them individually or together. Of course, it is incomplete, considering that that book was published six years ago, and both have had additional performances to add to their lengthy career.

Even though Ossie has since passed on, this reminiscence is a fitting tribute to him, as well as homage to both their marriage and their talents as thespians.

The Black King and Queen of the Arts.......2005-02-26

I just had the pleasure of reading this marvelous book. This book is done with class and shows celebrities do not have to write memoirs that are full of trash. I have always loved Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. I have always said people who have been married for many years usually have had many ups and downs in their relationships. It just goes to show if you have faith and are not willing to give up easily you can have a relationship of longevity and is an inspiration to others. An excellent book. They may have made mistakes but in the end they are truly role models. My heart and prayers go out to Ruby Dee in the loss of her lover, friend and colleauge Ossie Davies. Ossie Davis and Ruby together were a class act and they have written a celebrity memoir with class.

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Ossie Clark
stunning~
this book is a must-have for any designer

Ossie Clark 1965-1974
Judith Watt
Manufacturer: Victoria & Albert Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1851774580

Book Description

This is the first book to focus exclusively on the work of fashion designer Ossie Clark (1942-1996), a key figure in the style and fashion worlds of London in the swinging '60s. Clark created jumpsuits for Mick Jagger, silk dresses for Bianca Jagger, and snakeskin out?ts for Eartha Kitt, and is the subject of a famous portrait by David Hockney. The fusion of his brilliant cutting with the extraordinary prints created by his wife, textile designer Celia Birtwell, resulted in designs that paid witty homage to Art Deco and Hollywood glamour.

Author Judith Watt has interviewed models, friends, and colleagues from the 1960s-and has unearthed exclusive audio archives featuring Ossie Clark himself-to create this unprecedented portrait of a major figure in modern fashion. The illustrations include Vogue fashion shoots (including images by such famous photographers as David Bailey), portraits, documentary photographs, wonderful unpublished sketches owned by Birtwell, and stunning new photographs of iconic outfits.

Published to accompany a major retrospective exhibition, this book will bring new admirers to the work of a man whose continuing influence can be seen in the work of John Galliano, Gucci, Prada, and other major designers.

Customer Reviews:

Ossie Clark.......2007-07-03

Very informative, if a bit gushing. Basically just a history of Ozzie, and a little bit about the clothes. Nice slick paper, and some nice photos, but I wish it had more. Considering this was accompaning a retrospective of his work at the V&A Museum, I was expecting more pictures of his work, more drawings, and maybe some schematics of the actual designs. What you actually get is a few photos of his clothes on manequins, a few photos from magazine shoots (which never really show the clothes well) and a few photos of Ozzie through the years. There are a few drawings of his and a few of Celia's, and that's it. It just makes you hungry for more, but there isn't any more. This is the only book available.

stunning~.......2007-02-14

A marvellous book for any and all who revere 60s-70s fashion.
You've seen the copycat versions for years; now see an original designer who tied rock and underground culture to clothing.

The subtly body conscious cut, the wonderful prints, these clothes have it all.

Expensive, but your fashion library deserves it.

My only criticism? Too too short!

this book is a must-have for any designer.......2003-10-14

beautiful patterns/ clothes/ sketches. great book. buy it, it's one of my fav's this year.

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"A Raisin in the Sun" Review
A Raisin in the Sun novel
A Good Read
Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. - L. Hughes
A Raisin in the Sun

Raisin in the Sun, A
Lorraine Hansberry
Manufacturer: Caedmon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 1559943785

Book Description

"Never before, the entire history of the American theater, has so much of the truth of black people's lives been seen on the stage," observed James Baldwin shortly before A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway in 1959.

Indeed Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning drama about the hopes and aspirations of a struggling, working-class family living on the South Side of Chicago connected profoundly with the psyche of black America--and changed American theater forever. The play's title comes from a line in Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem," which warns that a dream deferred might "dry up/like a raisin in the sun."

"The events of every passing year add resonance to A Raisin in the Sun," said The New York Times. "It is as if history is conspiring to make the play a classic." This Modern Library edition presents the fully restored, uncut version of Hansberry's landmark work with an introduction by Robert Nemiroff.

Customer Reviews:

"A Raisin in the Sun" Review.......2007-09-18

"A Raisin in the Sun" is an example of Midwestern African American literature, which delivers a realistic view of conditions of living for impoverished African Americans living in the Southside of Chicago. However, some tend to abjure this idea of Hansberry's play, they believe that her view of this lifestyle was exaggerated. The acumen of Hanberry's knowledge on the subject is lost on some, however her detailed sketch of the Younger's life shows the rest of us that this must have deeply affected her. The acerbic tone of Mama Younger when she is discussing money with her son shows Hansberry's expertise. With acrimony Walter (Mama's son) goes to his job as a driver of the rich every weekday. Hansberry's makes it clear to the reader that Walter has much antipathy towards the people he is driving around. Some may argue that in real life a chaffeur would be treated with more respect than which Walter received. However, from my experiences I've seen nothing but disrespect towards these workers. The apartment, in which the Younger's have lived for the longest time, is not a pleasant place to live. Hansberry's does an excellent job in the way she makes sure not to adumbrate the condition of the run down apartment. Some find it unrealistic that they could have been living in this ragged apartment for such a long time, and not being able to move out. This shows directly the unfair situations and poor pay that African American's received at this time in Chicago. Lorraine Hansberry's detailed play is for anyone who wished to understand the hardships of African Americans. Those who do not agree with Hansberry's interpretation of the time period are seriously misinformed. After reading this triumph Hansberry will truly have your approbation.

A Raisin in the Sun novel .......2007-08-24

The book was wonderful, fantastic, lovely, very great i enjoy every second of reading this book. I received the book two days in the mail after i purchased on line. I will do business with this seller again as well as recommend the seller to everyone. Thank N.G

A Good Read.......2007-05-29

I had to read this book for my college class--history of the women's movement. It is a play and very easy to read. Very interesting and I probably read it in 2 days (but it could easily be read in 1 day). It has a powerful ending.

Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. - L. Hughes.......2007-05-07

`A Raisin in the Sun' by Lorraine Hansberry is a play that has become a true American classic. In 1959 it hit Broadway like no other. James Baldwin proclaimed, "never before in the entire history of the American theater had so much of the truth of black people's lives been seen on stage." Since its opening, this play has garnered worldwide acclaim and spawned movies, music scores and literature.

The play depicts the plight of an African-American family, the Youngers, struggling in the 1950s. The title, inspired by a Langston Hughes' poem, refers to Walter Younger's dream to make it out of the South Side of Chicago. "What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / Like a raisin in the sun?....Or does it explode?"

Hansberry's realism is evidenced by the vividness and believability of the characters. They are so rich and powerful that over the years they have been portrayed only by some of the biggest names in the African-American theatrical community: Sidney Poiter, Ruby Dee, Esther Rolle, Ossie Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald. In 1994, I was fortunate to see the play at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA starring the late Esther Rolle as Lena Younger and Kenny Leon, now director, as Walter Younger. I was not disappointed.

It is not by luck that this play has stood the test of time and made its indelible mark on the pages of African American literature. Take a few moments to observe the cast of characters through the playwright's pen and see the reason why it is a classic.

A Raisin in the Sun.......2006-08-18

I purchased this audio tape for my daughter for a summer reading assignment for school. It was easy to listen to and follow. We listened to it in the car each time we had to go somewhere. It kept our interest and was a great way to complete the assignment. I wish more book were available on audio.

The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey

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Muhammad Ali
The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on a life's journey
INCREDIBLE MAN - GREAT BOOK
Great journey of a good man (simply)
A Very Philosophical Autobiography

The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey
Muhammad Ali
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0743535561
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Book Description

"During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing. You saw only a part of me. After I retired from boxing my true work began. I have embarked on a journey of love."

So Muhammad Ali begins this spiritual memoir, his description of the values that have shaped and sustained him and that continue to guide his life. In The Soul of a Butterfly the great champion takes readers on a spiritual journey through the seasons of life, from childhood to the present, and shares the beliefs that have served him well.

After fighting some of the fiercest bouts in boxing history against Joe Frazier and George Foreman, today Muhammad Ali faces his most powerful foe -- outside the boxing ring. Like many people, he battles an illness that limits his physical abilities, but as he says, "I have gained more than I have lost....I have never had a more powerful voice than I have now." Ali reflects on his faith in God and the strength it gave him during his greatest challenge, when he lost the prime years of his boxing career because he would not compromise his beliefs. He describes how his study of true Islam has helped him accept the changes in his life and has brought him to a greater awareness of life's true purpose. As a United Nations "Messenger of Peace," he has traveled widely, and he describes his 2002 mission to Afghanistan to heighten public awareness of that country's desperate situation, as well as his more recent meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Ali's reflections on topics ranging from moral courage to belief in God to respect for those who differ from us will inspire and enlighten all who read them. Written with the assistance of his daughter Hana, The Soul of a Butterfly is a compassionate and heartfelt book that will provide comfort for our troubled times.

Download Description

"""During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing. You saw only a part of me. After I retired from boxing my true work began. I have embarked on a journey of love."" So Muhammad Ali begins this spiritual memoir, his description of the values that have shaped and sustained him and that continue to guide his life. In The Soul of a Butterfly the great champion takes readers on a spiritual journey through the seasons of life, from childhood to the present, and shares the beliefs that have served him well. After fighting some of the fiercest bouts in boxing history against Joe Frazier and George Foreman, today Muhammad Ali faces his most powerful foe -- outside the boxing ring. Like many people, he battles an illness that limits his physical abilities, but as he says, ""I have gained more than I have lost....I have never had a more powerful voice than I have now."" Ali reflects on his faith in God and the strength it gave him during his greatest challenge, when he lost the prime years of his boxing career because he would not compromise his beliefs. He describes how his study of true Islam has helped him accept the changes in his life and has brought him to a greater awareness of life's true purpose. As a United Nations ""Messenger of Peace,"" he has traveled widely, and he describes his 2002 mission to Afghanistan to heighten public awareness of that country's desperate situation, as well as his more recent meeting with the Dalai Lama. Ali's reflections on topics ranging from moral courage to belief in God to respect for those who differ from us will inspire and enlighten all who read them. Written with the assistance of his daughter Hana, The Soul of a Butterfly is a compassionate and heartfelt book that will provide comfort for our troubled times. "

Customer Reviews:

Muhammad Ali.......2007-10-20

I was very pleased with my purchase of this book. It arrived early and in great condition

The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on a life's journey.......2007-01-11

It is very heartening to feel the gentleness and deep caring for humanity from such a powerful man like Mohamed Ali. Reading of this book fills you with hope, love and light.

INCREDIBLE MAN - GREAT BOOK.......2006-11-03

ln this book we get a look at Ali now, the man he has become over the years.
He reflects back through life and most of all, he talks about his life today, the Parkinson's, and all the things he has learned along the way. This book makes you love him, it really does. lt's sprinkled with little quotes of sufi wisdom and stories, a few photos, poems etc. When you get to the page titled 'happy memories' its very moving....He is the biggest inspiration to me, someone who stood up to everyone no matter what they thought, never let anything get him down, and took pride in his race. lf your looking for the best Ali book, as far as details and tons of info. read 'the greatest-my own story' written by Ali himself. You cant get a better picture of him than through his own words and perspectives. Other books about him tell from the authors perspectives of Ali and his actions, ld much rather see it from Ali's view.

Great journey of a good man (simply).......2006-03-03

I have always been a big fan of Mohammed Ali. I have clearly remember my whole family waking up at 4:00 AM to watch Ali's fight (in North Africa); I was about 10 years old then. At that time I have decided to be like him and join a boxing club, but mom god bless her soul discouraged me. Mohammed Ali to me represents values, inspiration and determination. This book clearly brings the very basic and simple human values in Mohamed Ali; one story that touched me the most is the "Road to Heaven" where Mohammed Ali and his daughter pick up a man in front of a church and drive him home. It shows how far Mohammed Ali goes to help others. We can all learn something from Mohammed Ali. I say god bless you man. I also enjoyed all the Sufi stories mentioned in this book one in particular is about the slave Omer and the king. It shows you how respect and trust can bring people together.

A Very Philosophical Autobiography.......2005-10-04

Published recently in 2004, this is a very inspirational and deeply philosophical autobiography by Muhammad Ali.

I am writing this review after having read "Smokin' Joe, the Autobiography." I honestly feel that both autobiographies must be read to shed complete light on the relationship between the two.

This autobiography, which is an "Ebook" (which I wasn't too happy with) goes into interesting detail about Ali's childhood which for the most part has been talked about in televised biographies. Then, thoughout the book, Ali digresses with Islamic tales in order to make points. I found that distracting and elusive.

Throughout the book, he echoes about the power of love and the instinct of "following your heart" so much that, after awhile, I, the reader, feel as if he's belittling me. I didn't like that about this autobiography.

I was however amazed by his work ethic and when he went into detail, about his principles that led to him being stripped of his heavyweight title for not registering for the draft.

I was disappointed that he did not go into more details about his opponents or about those people in his life.

I found the best part of the reading related to his early years with the Nation of Islam movement. His ability to explain their misunderstood purposes and motives to be quite fascinating.

The most powerful aspect was his story about Malcolm X just prior to his death and how he regretted not saying goodbye to him. It was touching.

This book also provides insight on his current health and his mind today which is very active and still filled with love.

There are some disappointments, but there are many gems if you are able to read through the overly glossy parts.

Life Lit by Some Large Vision: Selected Speeches and Writings

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Life Lit by Some Large Vision: Selected Speeches and Writings
Ossie Davis
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743289889

Book Description

Ossie Davis, the celebrated civil rights activist, actor, writer, and director, is remembered for a film, television, and stage career of more than half a century. His awards include an Emmy Award, an NAACP Image Award for his work in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild, and a Kennedy Center Honor. The last two honors, like so many of his accomplishments, were shared with his wife and partner (in life and in work), Ruby Dee.

Ossie Davis is also revered for his lifelong commitment to those social and political causes about which he was so passionate. Of all the gifts he possessed, perhaps none was greater than his ability to articulate the important issues of the day. He used his brilliant mind and his oratory skills to give voice to his concerns as a black man, an American, and a human being in the world, as well as to the individuals and communities whose concerns he made his own. This monumental book brings together many of the moving speeches, essays, and other writings as an ultimate gift to posterity.

Life Lit by Some Large Vision includes some humor, some history, and some surprises: moving tributes to such luminaries as Malcolm X and Louis Armstrong; thought-provoking speeches on the treachery of the English language and the challenge of breaking through the "niggerization" process; letters to friends and fellow thinkers; essays that span decades of social thought and revolutionary positions; and the closing monologue from his groundbreaking 1961 play, Purlie Victorious.

The unforgettable sound of Ossie Davis's voice is well documented in his work on film and television, but the words on these pages offer his heart and mind, and will be the next best thing to witnessing him speak in person. Ruby Dee contributes a foreword to the collection and introductory notes to the individual pieces, many of which were written and delivered with her at his side. The result is a comprehensive celebration of one man's extraordinary wisdom and generosity. This is a book that will enrich countless readers -- as a gift, an educational resource, a volume to be read aloud on special occasions, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Even Young People can Change the World.......2006-10-12

This is an excellent book for middle school children. Stone wants to be like his hero Dr. King. He is active in his church and has been chosen to be the jr. leader for the bus going to the March On Washington. But his father refuses to let him go and he has to watch it on tv. The young people are entertaining yet it is teaching a definite lesson.

just like martin by chris thompson.......2004-03-12

JUST LIKE MARTIN ...

The author is ossie Davis. The boy who is the main character is named stone. He is a African American who is trying to be non violent like Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. the story took place in the late 60's. it took place in the south. In the beginning of the story a boy named Stone he wants to go to a trip with his church class to Washington dc. He could not go because his dad Ike stone did not believe in nonviolence. Stone did not get to go to washing ton so he watched the march on Washington on television. After the march on Washington things did not get much better you should read Just Like martin and find out all that happens. I liked this book because it had real events and important people to the black culture

Just Like Martin.......2002-03-05

Just Like Martin
By: Ossie Davis

What do you get when you take out the d, I, s, c, r, I, m, I, n and put in an H before the a? You get hate! Have you e ver been discriminated before? I think everyone has been in some way. African Americans have tried their best to stop it. They seldom did anything and they were just beaten to death from people like the K.K.K.'s. People like Martin Luther King Jr. who tried to stand up for what they had believed in. I learned in the book, a reverend of the local church has been organizing a peace march with server al other church organizations, and they had members from their church ridge private busses to Washington to march. They wanted the white people to know that there was no reason for them to be treated like this. One of the fathers in the story went to war with the reverend to defend The United States of America. They were at war with Korea. Since the war, the father has been very disturbed. He now carries a gun in his glove compartment of his pick-up truck. IN December when Dr. King held a service he had asked that the people in the service sing a "Negro Spiritual" ...
I though the book was great. It gave me a taste of what it was like to live back then if I were black. IT made me really think if I were black, would I want someone to do things like hang me, throw rocks at me, shoot high pressured water at me? I though for a while, why is different bad, but I sti9ll don't understand why because people of all different races, shapes, sizes are discriminated all the time. ...

Being Just Like Martin is Great.......2001-12-09

Just Like Martin, I found at a bookstore when I was traveling in
Maryland. Not thinking I was down to my last few dollars I bought it. I was very disapointed until I started reading it. This book taught me to never give up and know I keep on reading it over and over. 2 big thumbs up!!!

"I Have A Dream".......2001-11-19

"I Have A Dream"

Book Description

47 is the first young adult novel to be written by bestselling author Walter Mosley. A master storyteller, Mosley deftly mixes speculative and historical fiction in this daring novel. Set in a plantation, 47 (a young slave boy) is growing up under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed, until he meets the mysterious Tall John who not only introduces him to an unimaginable magical science but teaches 47 the meaning of freedom.

Customer Reviews:

We used it for a summer camp.......2007-07-03

We sponsored a summer science camp for some kids from Pittsburgh and a faculty member led a reading of this book with discussion that followed. The kids were from a small school with a religious base which focuses on critical reading. They do not have the opportunity to read fiction with their school work, and they absolutely loved this opportunity. It led to exciting discussion, prompted critical thought, and opened their eyes to new possibilities. We loved the impact it had on these children and will use it again.

Great book with a great message.......2007-05-12

Reviewed by Anthony Pettrone (age 14) for Reader Views (5/07)

I found this book, "47," to be a mix of science fiction with "Tall John," from a land far beyond Egypt and his magical sleeping light and history, and "47," a slave who has no name other than that of a number. In this book, we see through the eyes of 47 how slaves were treated on a plantation a long time ago. The fact that 47 had no name, but a number, was the first thing that hit me. It was if he was a "thing" instead of a human being. Later I found that that was the way the slaves were treated and it was a shock to see people mistreated as the slaves were in this book.

47 meets a new slave called Tall John who teaches him that the word `nigger' is not acceptable -- that instead of that word, he should call himself a `man.' It is then that 47 is first told he is a person and not a slave and the idea is strange to him. We also meet in this book a woman known only as 84. She is a silent, sharp slave who does not speak and seems to be angry with everyone. That is, until she meets Tall John who she begins to like. It is Tall John that causes her to begin to smile and be happy and she becomes friends with both Tall John and 47 by the end of the book.

There are many others in this book that make it a book filled with history and life lessons. There is the plantation owner, Master Tobias' daughter, Eloise, Big Mama Florie, and Mr. Stewart. These characters all add up to a book that is not only interesting but is fast-paced with a surprising ending as well. Each character adds to the book in an interesting way and we see how important they are to the story and 47 by the end of the book.

Even though this isn't the usual kind of book I read, I thought the storyline and plot were very good and the parts on slavery were very realistic. I think the descriptions of the characters and the time the book was set in were very well written. I slipped into the storyline easily and the way Mosley makes the story of slavery and Tall John come together was amazing. Walter Mosley is a good author and I am interested in seeing more books by him. This book was a different one and, at first, one that was odd to get into, but one that ended up a great book with a great message. I'd recommend "47" for anyone looking for something different in the way of science fiction with a little history and human nature thrown in for good measure.

Forty Seven.......2007-01-12

Written for teens, yet very absorbing for all. Mosley covers past, present, possible future, slavery and science fiction. Great book!

An unusual book.......2006-03-03

47 is a strange, interesting book. It's part history of slavery in America, and part science fiction with a mysterious ET. What's even stranger is that the odd combination works. 47 is a 14 year old slave back in 1832. He's always out in the cotton fields picking cotton, feeling sorry for himself. Along come a mysterious stranger named Tall John. 47 thinks Tall John is a slave too, until he finds out that the stranger is really an alien from another world, with unusual powers. At first 47 assumes that Tall John is there to free him and the other slaves, but Tall John is really there to help 47 fight against the Calash, enemies of Tall John's race from his home planet. Capable of making themselves look exactly like humans, they are controlling real humans and must be defeated. 47 turns out to be brave and bold (as Tall John knew all along) and he and other slaves rise up against the Calash and save our world. By living up to his potential and full abilities, 47 shows that no matter who you are, adversity can be overcome with courage and conviction. Another book I read with a similar theme is An Audience for Einstein, a story about a 12 year old who is also helped to overcome great odds.

I wanted to like it.......2006-01-08

Walter Mosley gets an 'A' for originality and a 'C' for execution on this one. If he had pared back the sci-fi a little bit, it would have been outstanding, but when Tall John begins naming all the beings in his world, the story gets bogged down in the minutia. I wanted less of the Quesziastril, Calash, and Talam. I wanted more of the legend of John the Conqueror. I wanted to be bound up in the tale, as a Mosley offering will usually do, but when I had to stop to decipher which extraterrestrial was which, I lost the flow of 47's narrative.

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Not for Bread Alone: A Memoir
Moe Foner , and Dan North
Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0801440610

Book Description

"Foner often let others take credit, but with his names and telephone numbers he was the man to call-and take a call from. He was a champion of civil rights and civil liberties and an early and strong opponent of the Vietnam War when that was rare among labor."-The Nation

"For the daily truth behind phrases like 'first-generation American,' 'labor movement,' and 'civil rights,' there is no better life story than that of Moe Foner. Like Emma Goldman, he insisted on dancing at the revolution, and on every American's right to joy and justice. In these dark times, his memoir is a beacon of past and future light."-Gloria Steinem

"I operated under the theory that a good union doesn't have to be dull."-Moe Foner

"Don't waste any time mourning-organize."-Joe Hill

Moe Foner, who died in January 2002, was a leading player in 1199/SEIU, New York's Health and Human Service Union, and a key strategist in the union's fight for recognition and higher wages for thousands of low-paid hospital workers. Foner also was the founder of Bread and Roses, 1199's cultural program created to add dimension and artistic outlets to workers' lives.

Foner produced a musical about hospital workers; invited Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger to perform for workers and their children; presented stars such as Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Alan Alda; and installed the only permanent art gallery at a union headquarters. One of Foner's last projects was a poster series called "Women of Hope," which celebrates African American, Native American, Asian American, and Latina women including Maya Angelou, Maxine Hong Kingston, Septima P. Clark, and the Delaney sisters Sarah and Elizabeth. Today his legacy is the largest and most important cultural program of any union.

Not for Bread Alone traces Foner's development from an apolitical youth whose main concerns were basketball and music to a visionary whose pragmatism paved the way for legislation guaranteeing hospital workers the right to unionize. Foner writes eloquently about his early life in Brooklyn as the son of a seltzer delivery man and about many of the critical developments in the organization of hospital workers. He provides an insider's perspective on major strikes and the struggle for statewide collective bargaining; the leadership styles of Leon Davis, Doris Turner, and Dennis Rivera; and the union's connection to key events such as the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.

Every Tongue Got to Confess: Negro Folk-tales From the Gulf States
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Telling the truth and shaming the devil...Zora's Way!

Like a Window to the Past

Excellent collection of Black Folklore

Every Tongue Got to Confess: Negro Folk-tales From the Gulf States
Zora Neale Hurston
Manufacturer: Caedmon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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The Complete Stories

Mules and Men

I Love Myself When I Am Laughing ... and Then Again When I Am Looking Mean and Impressive: A Zora Neale Hurston Reader

Seraph on the Suwanee

ASIN: 0694526452
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Book Description

African-American folklore was Zora Neale Hurston's first love. Collected in the late 1920's Every Tongue Got to Confess, from the celebrated author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, is published here for the first time, beautifully performed by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

Hilarious, bittersweet, and often saucy, these folk-tales provide a verdant slice of African-American life in the rural South at the turn of the twentieth century. They capture the heart and soul of the vital, independent, and creative community that so inspired Zora Neale Hurston.

In Every Tongue Got to Confess, Hurston records, with uncanny precision, the voices of ordinary people -and no two actors better capture this world than Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. They pay tribute to the richness of Black vernacular -- its crisp self-awareness, singular wit, and improvisational wordplay. These folk-tales reflect the joys and sorrows of the African-American experience, celebrate the redemptive power of storytelling, and showcase the continuous presence in America of an Afticanized language that flourishes to this day.

Performed by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis

Customer Reviews:

Telling the truth and shaming the devil...Zora's Way!.......2003-01-30

It was said from those that knew her best, that African-American folklore was Zora Neale Hurstonýs first love. The ability to manifest in, and excel within the margins of her own peopleýswapping lies, telling tales, and giving unique meaning to life from the backhand side. Thus, if any part of her legacy is to prevail, one should pay close attention to this side of her that I feel truly helped to define her writing style. No doubt, the genesis of it all goes back to her Eatonville, Florida roots sitting on the porch of the neighborhood story listening to the older men adhere to the aforementioned. Subsequently as a Barnard student of Anthropology under the guidance of Franz Boaz, she embarked in 1927 on a two-year effort to collect samples of African-American folklore. This sets the stage for Negro Tales From The Gulf States, which can boast of an interesting evolution. This is a book written by Zora that was almost an afterthought, until recently discovered after lying in obscurity for nearly 30 years. All of this time, it was stored in a basement at Columbia University, and 20 more at the Smithsonian before coming to light at the urging of the authorýs estate and others.

What we have here in borrowing Zoraýs own words ý ýauthenticity to preserve the tale-tellers way of speakingýsavoring the boiled-down juice of human livingý. The book is well written and organized by subject. Read it and revel in how the author used and presented vernacular that would be recognized today as Ebonicsýeveryday idiomatic expressionism. You will witness improvisational wordplay and given an apt explanation of how these folktales were collected, lost, found, and examined for the deep significance they hold today. These lost southern tales are brought to life by Zoraýs commanding use of syntax mixed with a sense of urgency. Most of them are infused with humorous stories making a point that we can all identify with. She makes it pointedly clear that folktales were a direct link to our ancestral background, and served a purpose. I marveled at how she was able to use stories made famous by others in how they were reworked and related from a black point of view, giving them a special cross-cultural ring. For instance, to the story of a woman who promises the devil that she will break up a marriage in exchange for a pair of shoes, or how she gives reasons why God gave women keys to the bedroom, the kitchen, and the cradle. You will die laughing, and you will definitely be amused by the punch lines and the Zora penchant for comedic timing.

If thereýs a reason to want to understand folktales told from the mind of this unique storyteller, youýd want to be enlightened in digesting this type of wit that the author seem to make timeless. In accumulating this body of work, Hurston clearly placed as much emphasis on imagination as on truism. Often she got both. With all the other offering of late alluding to Zora Neale Hurston, you might as well add this book to your collection. You wonýt regret it!

Like a Window to the Past.......2001-12-17

If only Zora Neale Hurston could've published this book during her lifetime! Luckily her papers containing her research were rediscoveredand we now have this gorgeous collection of stories. Some of them were familiar to me from listening to my grandparents tell tall tales, others were completely new. These stories are funny, frightening and enlightening. Our elders and ancestors were amazing people with a tough and even cynical sense of humor. If we are lucky more of Hurston's research will be found and more will be published.

Kimberley Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Never Told You About Men

Excellent collection of Black Folklore.......2001-12-07

If you grew up hearing older folks get together and swap wild stories, or if you have an academic interest in folklore, then this is for you! Essentially, the great Folklorist Zora Neale Hurston spent 1928 and 29 among rural Blacks in Florida and Alabama jotting down their folk tales and witty sayings. Being a Black Southerner herself gave her an insider's access that made her interviewees comfortable in sharing with her. The final manuscript, "Negro Folktales of the Gulf States" remained unpublished till now. Some of these tales were published in 1935 with a framework story of Miss Hurston's adventures among her interviewees entitled "Mules and Men." But here, the stories exist in their orignial, uncut form without a framework story. Once the modern reader becomes accustomed to the printed approximation of Southern African-American dialect, you can sit back and enjoy the folk wisdom and humorous tales. So imagine that Grandpa, Uncle Wille, and all the others are gathered around your porch with a pitcher of lemonade on a pleasant afternoon and enjoy this African-American equivalent to "Aesop's Fables" and "The Arabian Nights."

We Shall Overcome: The History of the Civil Rights Movement As It Happened (Book with 2 Audio CDs)

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Wonderfully Put Together
"Living the Movement"
Great book!

We Shall Overcome: The History of the Civil Rights Movement As It Happened (Book with 2 Audio CDs)
Herb Boyd , Ossie Davis , and Ruby Dee
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks Mediafusion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 140220213X

Book Description

In words, photos and on two audio CDs, witness the courageous and controversial stories that defined America's civil rights movement

An entire generation of Americans faced the lynching of teenager Emmett Till, the murder of four girls at church, and the denial of basic liberties like voting rights, equal education and political representation. This is their story.

We Shall Overcome is a gripping chronicle of the words and voices of the civil rights movement. From stirring speeches to the voices of hate, this collection brings to life the battle for justice and equality that shook America to its core. We Shall Overcome brings you there--from the schools to the sit-ins, from Little Rock to Selma, from the pulpit to the marches.

American Book Award winning author Herb Boyd tells the dramatic stories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Stokely Carmichael, Ella Baker and activist groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Black Panthers.

In words, photos and on two accompanying audio CDs, you'll witness the courageous and controversial stories that defined America's civil rights movement.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully Put Together.......2007-02-20

I bought this book for a political science class, sadly we never used it though, however, I think this is one of the best investments I could have made in a text book. It chronicles the civil rights movement and contains some pictures that are otherwise hard to find anywhere else. I attend Florida A&M and there is actually a piture of Stokley Carmichael standing in front of one of our buildings delivering one of his earth shaking speeches, I'm sure... Unfortunately, I was disheartened by the way the author skipped over Malcolm X's role in the civil rights era and how he inspired later organizations such as the Black panther Party. But that, a big issue for me, aside, this is a great textbook. When I start teaching, I will probably refer back to it for my history classes.

"Living the Movement".......2005-07-25

As a child growing up through the movement, this text has allowed me to embrace the struggle as an adult. The actual audio accounts are at times distrubing, but the realization of what people of color went through during that era is something I must endure as an African American. I highly recommend this text.

Great book!.......2005-02-06

This is a great introduction to the civil rights movement from the 50's and into the 60's. The book covers the 1955 murder of Emmett Till through Dr. King's assasination. Great photos and outstanding text. Mr. Boyd did a great job in writing this important book and I highly recommend it.

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