THis Book is Very Well DOcumented&Done.Unlike THe Media at large Today or on a Bigger Scale Hollywood who still is stuck in The GUess Whose Coming To DInner Phase Of Life? Martha Hodges Brings Too Life The Fact that WHite WOmen&Black Men have Gotten Together during Slavery&After The Civil War.Books Like this are Very Important Because if You Go By TV it's Usually Watered Down or Down in Token Form.ALot OF Respect TOO Martha Hodges FOr Bringing This Book To Light.

This is the best book I have read on this subject. I highly recommend it

I absolutley love this book. It is not often that a book of this quality geared toward African American children is available. The illustrations using an African American Humpdy Dumpy are the most impressive. I read this book to my neice until she got old enough to read it herself. I feel that she had an interest in this book because the characters resembled her.

Henry Louis Gates' laudable publishing effort 'African-American Women Writers 1910-1940' series, a kind of chronological sequel to the celebrated Schomburg Nineteenth Century Black Women series, comes up with a winning piece of work by Elizabeth Laura Adams; 'Dark Symphony' details Adams' conversion to Catholicism beginning just after the Depression. The character of this book is marvelous, warm and wonderful, and seems perfectly fitted to the story it relates. There are some remarkable moments, for example, the description of Adams' desire for the confessional because of its anonymity -"so no one could see I was black!"- indeed, there are a number of moments that leave one suspended in a kind of new truth, so remarkably adept is the prose. The work is scrupulously, lovingly edited by Carla Kaplan, a recent recipient of a fellowship at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and herself an author. Many of Adams' poems are included as well, including the ubiquitous 'The Last Supper', and two differing versions of her best-known 'The Consecrated.' I hope this series of books is reaching the junior highs and high schools; works like 'Dark Symphony' deserve to be read, and read abundantly, by those whose minds and hearts will be shaping the world we're working toward. Highest recommendation for a genuinely surprising work of literature, and teller of our common history.

I read and enjoyed this book as a child. I most remember how absolutely special and thoughtful it was of Evan's mom to accept and appreciate his need for a "place of his own." My apartment was quite like Evan's, filled to brimming with relatives both noisy and nosy. How tender the feeling created in the reader as Evan uses his space, and comes to treasure both his own little world and that he shares with others.

-kim o'connell

This book is a wonderful account of how African-American women made it at the turn of the century. I enjoyed reading how these women made a difference in the lives of the people and children in their families. This book showed me just how strong Black women are. It allowed me to see that they had the strength to go on and face any adversary that came into their lives. Any woman or person facing obstacles in their lives can pick up this book and know that they can makeit. That's what this book did for me. I know that there is nothing that I can't do. It's a book that I will one day want my now 10 year old daughter to rad and pass along to her daughter.

Excellent resource for all Nursing Schools. I would love to see it recirculated. It covers a span of over 130 years of Black women and men who dedicated their lives to the Nursing Profession.

McLagan's book is out of print now. And no wonder, it addresses a small audience. In spite of that, "A Peculiar Paradise" is a book that every Oregonian should read and should be included in every school library.

As an immigrant to Oregon in 1982 from an integrated neighborhood in Michigan, the first thing I noticed on arriving was what seemed to be the "whitest" state I'd ever seen. In the city of Medford where we lived for 5 years before coming to Portland, I'm sure there were no more than 5 black people in 40,000 during those first years.

If you want to understand why, start by reading this book. Then go to the Library and dig into the Oregon Historical Quarterlies from the turn of the century. It will confirm what McLagan shows: that Oregon almost entered statehood as a Confederate member. Perhaps all that saved it from that was the fear of it's original southern pioneer settlers that a move to slave-holding would jeapordize their ability to compete economically (they had left the South for that reason). Additionally, in the 1920's there were as many as 250 thousand Klan members in the state and at one point even a Klan governor was elected. Well into the century, laws excluded blacks from owning land or even technically living in the state.

McLagan presents a view of Oregon history seldom seen. If you cannot find a used copy, be sure to check this one out at the public library.

This book has been a truly wonderful find! I enjoy the creative process, but watercolor has never been my strong suit. I purchased this book just a few days ago, and have already created several pieces of art that amaze even me! My intention in buying this book was less to make cards (though that's something I've long done) but more to use Elizabeth Joan Black's techniques in hopes of finding a new creative outlet. I definitely got that and more. Her book gives wonderful details, with colorful pictures that would help anyone achieve results they would be pleased with. I highly recommend this book for the novice to the experienced. It really is inspiring!

This is an impressive and large-scale achievement. I would have appreciated more acknowledgment of the role that white male eurocentric paradigms played (and continue to play) in the south and oppresion of Women of Color. Overall, a good starting place.

Dr. Dyson is amazing as he explains race in America. At first when Dr. Dyson started talking about OJ Simpson I started saying to myself "oh no, not again." However, that touchy subject was not too bad and I did not get as angry as in past conversations, books or reports. There were comparisons and constrasts between Farrahkan and Colin Powell pertaining to the million man march that seemed very insightful. Such as Colin Powell thought the million man march was a good conceptual ideal, but due to the fact that Farrahkan was the march's organizer he boycotted the million man march. This book actually makes you think about things in life and it is not one of those books that you just read and then put down and don't think about anymore. Race Rules has me now reading "I may not get there with you" and I am already so into that book. Dr Dyson keep up the good work.

There is absolutely no doubt that this is a great book. The author, as is evident from the book, is a keen thinker and is as intelligent as he is funny. This book was a great reading experience for me, especially because I am neither black nor white. I loved the first part where Mr. Dyson talks about the O.J Simpson trial and how that has changed the playing field. He very deftly, avoids passing judgment on O.J, the man. Even though the author cannot be accused of justifying O.J's actions, he most certainly can be credited for trying to paint a picture in which O.J's actions can at least be objectively understood. This, to me, was extremely interesting. As far O.J. Simpson is concerned, Mr. Dyson has been successful in evoking a response of "Why not?" as opposed to "Why?" The book covers important topics like the failures and successes of the black church and the deficiencies in the present black leadership. One thought, which runs throughout the course of the book, is the author's consistent support for women's causes. A self-described feminist, the author has been very effective in talking about women's issues, specially the state of black women and the inequalities they have had to face due to not only their race but also their gender. Mr. Dyson gathers enough courage to criticize black men for the treatment they have meted out to the women folk. However, at times, Mr. Dyson sounds like he is desperately trying to gain support from black women as their only true sympathizer. I had the feeling that the author was sacrificing sincerity to gain a little goodwill. Mr. Dyson has taken a middle path solution to the question of racial equality. He agrees with both the integrationist ideals of Colin Powell and the separatist beliefs of Louis Farrakhan, but denounces both as being the only road to racial salvation. He tries to be politically correct so as not sound as either a rebel or a wimp. The author's discussion of the popular culture can be counted as another plus of this book. I specially liked his treatment of the subject dealing with the politics of nostalgia and how the elders blame the black youth for all the ills and reminisce about the 'good old days in the hood'. Probably the author's support for hip-hop and rap endeared this book more to me. As a great fan of rap music, I couldn't agree more with the author. However, I was disappointed at the fact that the author never mentioned Tupac Shakur, who I think has been one of the most important players in the history of rap music. Throughout the course of the book, I got the impression that the author was trying to prove to the world that he does not shy away from calling a spade, a spade. But whatever his real intentions, Michael Eric Dyson has been very effective in painting a true picture of the realities of race in this country and how it still dominates our life, more than we want or imagine.

this man is a genius.whenever he speaks or debates someone i'm all ears and eyes.i've enjoyed all of his books.he has a of wording ideas and thoughts and tieing everything as one.he could connect dr.king,michael jackson,malcolm x&stevie wonder into one with the plight&struggle.i once saw him on sinbad's vibe show with the brillant nikki giovanni and he was talking and resighting the brillant lyrics of rakim.my mouth hit the floor.i wish he had a show alongside of tony brown&rev jessie jackson.this man speaks volumes in this book and is highly intelligent.a must read.