The Black Jacobins is an informative and compelling story of the Haitian Revolution. While Mr. James takes the reader through the many events that made up the revolution his obvious Marxist perspective and desire to promote a class theory of the revolution is a major limitation. For instance, in order to put forth a Marxist class theory for the revolution Mr. James is forced to underplay other more important factors -such as race.

All in all this book is a positive read for anyone who is intersted in a part of history that is too little known. The life and times of Toussiant L'Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the current state of affairs in Haiti as well as a very dark side of French, British and American relations with the country. Given the barbaric conditions the slaves were subjected to and devestation that was visited on the country in order to defeat the invading French troops it is easier to understand the present state of affairs in Haiti.

James delivers an exquisitely descriptive account of the only slave revolt that ultimately lead to the founding of a black republic in the heart of the Caribbean. This well written book reads like prose making it an easy read. James does an excellent job of letting the reader know who the players in San Domingo were before and during the revolution including - the big whites (planters); small whites (artisans and professionals); mulattoes and blacks. The psychological make up and desires of each class is fully explained so that the reader instantly understands why alliances between the groups were formed and dissolved over time and their effect on colonial government. The character of Toussaint L'Ouverture, the black general who led the slave revolt and administered the colonial government, is discussed throughout the book and insights into his thinking and perspective are gained through his written correspondence and his governmental orders. This allows the reader to gain an in-depth understanding of L'Ouverture as a 3 dimensional persona. The book contains an excellent bibliography for reference. Black Jacobins however is not without some minor flaws. First, although James gives a good account of the desires of various sectors of French society, he fails to give as rich an account of the motivations and perspectives of the French statesmen operating in France. Second, James discussion of Dessaline, L'Ouverture's general who persecuted the revolt to its end, is not dealt with in the same depth as the other major personas. Other writers have undoubtedly covered Dessaline but it would have been nice to gain James' perspective. Critics of James have gone as far as to suggest that he subverts racial dynamics for class dynamics. Two points on this issue refute this notion. First, James provides ample information on the role of race in shaping the motivations of the major partisan groups. Indeed, the reader gains a real appreciation for the prominent role mulattoes played in the revolution and how their attitudes on race and liberty helped shape the alliances they made. Second, writing as a son of Haitian immigrants, I can attest to the fact that Haitians don't perceive race prejudice in Haiti the same way blacks to in the United States. This is not surprising considering that blacks constitute not only the social but also a political majority in Haiti. Rather Haitian society is more sensitive to distinctions in color, education and background. Since color distinctions was the only factor relevant during the revolution, James only deals with that particular distinction and he does so in a balanced manner. Finally, the prospective purchaser of Black Jacobins should be aware that James espouses a Marxist worldview. However, his ideology is not so pervasive as to render the book unpalatable to non-subscribers of Marxism. James provides ample independent references for his historical accounts and the critical reader will find that the conclusions he draws are credible. I would recommend this book.

The Black Jacobins is a timeless classic in both the history and practice of liberation theory.I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of taking undergraduate work with CLR James in the early eighties. His undimmed passion and clarity shaped me deeply. He was quite arguably the greatest unabashed dialectical materialist of the Harlem Renaissance. I heartily recommend that you treat yourself to this,his signature creation.

Wilcox does a yoeman's job of presenting the inside details of a Navy fighter squadron's operations and culture, but to a fault.

I found the book a "page turner" in a manner of speaking. By about halfway through, I started scanning and turning pages to find some aspect of squadron life that hadn't already been covered several times before. They fly a mission; they get shot at; they drop bombs; they talk to each other with funny call signs; they return to the ready room and yell at each other. Over and over again. The author's repeated details of each mission, and use of inscrutible call signs made the reading ponderous.

What I took away from the book was the impression that Navy pilots are largely thrill seekers with big egos who don't like to be disagreed with; an impression not consistent with my own three years aboard a carrier.

If you want to read this book, buy a used copy. It's not one that will live long in your reference library.

I just finished reading Black Aces High and thought it was outstanding. I read the entire book in one sitting and it was fantastic.
I was an F-18 pilot on that cruise and while the book concentrated more on the Tomcat than the Hornet, it accuratly portrayed the the missions and development of some fairly advanced tactics in SCAR.
The action in Kosovo was much more intese than Iraq.
In addition I was pretty close to most of the guys in the book and he really captured their personalities.
Sometimes the truth needs some embellishment to make an interesting story. However, this book was right on the mark, had no embellishment and was captivating.
Reading about the strikes in which I participated and the antics of squadron life brought back some great memories. Every squadron had a cast of characters that are pretty funny, but the VF-41 had a lot of larger than life personalities.
If you want an accurate portrayal of a squadron at war and the thoughts which pass through pilot's heads during combat, this is a great book.

Sincerely,
Kurt McClung
LCDR USN
VMFAT-101 (exchange F-18 instructor with the Marines)

Once in awhile a book comes along that cuts through all the hype and gets to the truth. Robert K. Wilcox's BLACK ACES HIGH is that kind of book. Shunning adulation and geewhiz approaches to our aviators on carriers, Wilcox takes us into the heart of a modern fighter squadron as it flys and fights over Kosovo, an important but somewhat forgotten conflict for our forces. However, the Black Aces paved the way for what was done in Afghanistan and what will be done in future airwars. The squadron is preparing to fight in Iraq. But in Kosovo, the Black Aces are thrown in to fight a war dictated by other people. The Black Aces have to learn on the job. The dangers are everywhere. They innovate, fight their fears, come up with new ways of hunting and killing. They don't have the benefit of ground spotters so must learn, almost like detectives, how to find their enemy, which is hidden and cunning. They end up being prime factors in the capitulation of the Serbian forces. Most importantly we learn in this book how the members of the squadron relate to each other and function as aerial fighters. It is fascinating to get behind the closed doors of a fighter squadron and see what really goes on. We see the personal lives of the pilots and air crews. There is even a love story. They are Americans to be proud of.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to see and understand how a carrier fighter squadron functions today in this Age of Terror. This is the new right stuff.

The Wisdom of The Elders is a collection of quotations taken from the most well-known, well-spoken and well-loved luminaries of our time, including, Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., Zora Neale Hurston, Mary McLeod Bethune, Barbara Jordan, and many more.

I'm a person who loves finding that phrase or quote or poem that epitomizes what I am...or hope to become. I line my wall with affirmations that keep me in the positive spirit of not only what I AM, but of where I came from through the elders, and this book is a small, yet beautifully-collected and sectioned book with powerful quotations taken from various topics, such as power and politics, creativity and culture, self-esteem, values, education, family, black women and black men, a living God, and several more.

If you want to feel empowered by the strong words of poignant quotations that still ring true as we move into the 21st century, then The Wisdom of The Elders is a wonderful book to add to your collection.

Shonell Bacon, author of LUVALWAYZ: The Opposite Sex & Relationships

RAW Sistaz member and RAWREVIEWER

The minute I saw the beautifully carved face of "The Sharecropper" by African American artist Elizabeth Catlett on the cover, I knew this book was special. Author Robert Fleming has given us thought provoking words to live by. This is a rich collection of thoughts and insights of our African American elders from all walks of life. From Jersey Joe Walcott to Fannie Lou Hamer, from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Malcolm X. Some of the quotations in this book are the kind you will read again and again. Others are so powerful that they must be shared with friends. This is a must have book for all African Americans and any other American who wants to get into our heads and know what we are really about.I highly recommend this awesome book.Vannie

Excellent book. Not too lengthy. It shares the wisdom of those who came before us. More than a group of well-known quotations. Every African American home should have this book. Great organization by the author.

A very readable story with vivid characters which manages to be both disturbing and entertaining in a quirky way. What I liked about it was the psychological complexity- people have both good and bad qualities in them ( even the protagonists) and nothing is as black or white as it seems. I was very touched by the description of the persecution of a young Wiccan woman by a town of basically good people who just don't understand- this subject is *real* and I personally know people who have been there. Very few authors ( Richard Grant is the only other one I can think of in his "Land of Winter" ) have been willing to tackle this controversial subject. The young Wiccan girl is a *person* rather than a "comic book character" like many Wiccans in books, a human being with both faults and good qualities, not a misunderstood angel or a veiled demon. As a Wiccan teacher and Elder who has been in the position of screening potential students, I have seen some of the issues ( abuse, for example ) that sometimes push people onto Our Path ( though many abused people become Born Again Christians, too- ). Mr. Poe does an excellent job with both the persecution issues and the complexities and motivations that make up even "simple small town people", who are often portrayed as one dimensional, cookie cutter characters, especially Southerners. Though it can not be described as a "Wicca positive" book, it is not negitive either- is a realistic look at some of the more wounded people who find themselves on our Path, and the abominable way they can be treated by "good folks" who need to grow and learn a little compassion and tolerance. I would recommend it to any Wiccan who plans to go into teaching- you'll eventually meet someone like Julie.
A very good effort at a difficult subject, and a great story too!

This book, although based upon a fairly old story, is exciting even now. I'm not easily disturbed, but this book had me on the edge. I had to read it through a couple of times to get the full effect, because after the first time so many things near the beginning of the story made sense. I would reccomend this book to anyone that likes thrillers and definately to a Poe fan.

I wish I could meet Mr. Poe. He sounds really hot, and I like his book. I wonder if he has a cat. Is it black? Maybe it's name is Theo just like me! I have some similar characteristics like Poe's witch in the Black Cat. I like to dance around naked too! Mr Poe, I wanna meet you.

The description of Mrs. Mary McCray as an adult in Montclair, New Jersey and her struggles for "full freedom" are truly inspiring. I felt as if I was sitting in that kitchen listening to the anecdotes as they were told. I found the early part of the book, however, to read like a research paper with the footnotes included.

It seems to me that this book, along with Edward Ball's Slaves in the Family, offers a new and important look at the history of race relations in America. Both of them deal with situations that were not unique, but carefully swept under the rug. I applaud both authors for their work, and since Mrs. McCray has said she's writing another book, there is at least one reader, here in the nation's oldest city, who is anxiously awaiting it.

Ms McCray's ability to put us back in time is timeless, a true depiction of how life was and is for so many African Americans...Her ability to convey the innocence of childhood and reality through the eyes of her mother and through her own experience is something extrodinary. A warm and compassionate story of love, triumph, and struggle through one of the darkest times in American history. Written very tenderly so you can smell the warm pies and cakes baked in the Allen home, the flowers that she nurtured. Her legacy? Her children who were reared with self respect and taught to be proud of who they are as a people. Freedoms Child is a must read for all, black or white, it will grip you leaving you laughing, crying and ulitmately wishing we could have been there. A story of a mother and the love she gave her children. A story of a woman in the "Red Hat" who would not lie down. A story of coming of age. A story that every American should read. When you finish this book you will just sit back and smile! I know because Carrie Allen McCray is my Grandmother!! Lane McCray

This book gives Bob Moses the attention his life deserves. You should also check out The Children Bob Moses Led by William Heath. It's a novel that blends fact with fiction to tell the story of Moses and Freedom Summer.

IN this time of increased jingosim and nationalism,when dissent is called dishonor and treason[by the current Attorney General of the United States}, this book is like a balm. Robert Parris Moses is a certifiable HERO,and is a character drawn almost by his philosophical champion, the great Algerian exixtentialist and Noble Laurete, Albert Camus. Moses went to Mississippi in the early 1960's, in Mccomb county and began the torturous process of registering people to vote.Slight, in his horn rimmed glasses, with white T shirt under his bib overalls, Moses tirelessly and fearlessly went up against crooked judges, Klukers and corrupt and racist law enforcement, and slowly[with the eventual aid of the Justice department and John Doar, who ,though a republican, was also the justice dept. lead lawyer in the impeachment proceedings against President Richard m. Nixon}, registered voters, and changed the shape of american history. With his backround in philosophy}[from Harvard} and a steely determination to do the right thing, Moses at times singlehandely carried on, living with local balck families in Hamlets throught Mississippi.One of the few memebers of the civil rights movement was was not in the least bit awed by Martin Luther King,jr.[perhaps beacuse he knew himself to be the equal of any man} he sallied forth under pressure and fear that I literally cannot comprehend. this is a fine book about a period of american history that should be celebrated,not consigned to february alone. It was a tuime when politicians thought they could "possibly" cahnge things, and far more importantly, when people such as Mr. Moses felt it was imperative for they themselves to change things. My Admiration for Mr.Moses is second to no one. He, along with John Lewis, are certifiable living heroes,men who make me proud to be american. This book, then is one way to get to know this great, yes,great man. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are a fan of WW II VMF-214, "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Once They Were Eagles", this is a must read. Two stories in one. That of "Bandanna Maggie" before, during and after WW II. Also, a determined author's quest about a Marine hero he did not know until too long. Follow the trail of a Marine I'm sure Gregory Boyington admired as a great fellow warrior after the "big one" and his attepts to find himself in war and peace. (Success, or failure? Yes? No? You decide.) A remarkable book for those who are interested in the men of 214. As I said, if you liked the two first books mentioned, you will love this one written by the one man who would have done it.

If, like me, you read Baa Baa Blacksheep and Once They Were Eagles, this is for you. The mysterious life and whereabouts of Chris Magee almost haunted me after reading Frank Walton's Once They Were Eagles. The information about Chris Magee in Walton's book and the fascinating letter it contains left many questions about Magee that begged for answers. I knew this would be an interesting book before I read it and I was not let down. I did not know it would be emotionally provocative. I won't spoil the surprises. Don't read too many reviews lest you not get the full effect. Pick it up soon.

In Lost Black Sheep: The Search For WWII Ace Chris Magee, Robert Reed reveals saga of an extraordinary man in a real-life story of war and peace, crime and punishment. Chris Magee was one of the legendary Black Sheep Squadron under "Pappy" Boyington's command. He grew up with stories of World War I aviation heroes and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Chris transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps and went to the South Pacific where his personal bravery and skills as a combat flier earned him the Navy Cross and the respect of his peers. After the war ended Chris spent the next twelve years as a black marketeer, bootlegger, volunteer fighter pilot for Israel, courier for a covert American group involved in Latin American politics, and finally a bank robber. In his middle years he turned his life around and became a respected journalist. By age 70 he was living in retirement in a rustic apartment on Chicago's North Side. Then Chris found an envelope slipped under his front door with a note that compelled him to revisit parts of his past he thought long buried. Several of Magee's letters, poetry, and other writings are woven into the text (including a short story titled "Keep Moving". Lost Black Sheep is a fascinating, superbly written biography of a very unusual American unusal life.

I found this book to be a good read, I agree it was very sad to see how the streets of chicago treated this family that was once a loving family. It also shows what money can do to a family. I can't say that everyone will enjoy this book I have passed it around to some of my friends and they have different opinions on this book. I will say I enjoyed it!!

I read the book and I thought it was excellent. The only thing I did'nt like about the book. It was hard trying to interpret some of the southern slang that was used. I am from the south myself and I was having a headache trying to figure out some of the words and phrases. This goes out to one of the reviewers. I think her name is Sherance Brothers.Thanks for telling the whole story. Since I already read the book I'm not trippin. But you ruined it for everybody else that was looking foward to reading the book. On the other hand this is another Iceberg Slim classic. R.I.P Robert Beck.

Iceberg Slim outdid himself once again when he wrote this novel dealing with tragic drag queen otis tilson this book isn't just about homosexuals but how homosexuals in the black community are created by the system that was designed to break the black man and woman and otis is another victim who was molested by a deacon yeah this is messed up. This is a sad story as otis talks about getting raped, how his dad was a proud reverend down south then when the family moved to chi town the mother just took over and had papa tilson drink himself to an early grave while carol was murdered by moms for being impregnated by a white man then forcing bessie out in the streets where she was murdered by a crazed john who buried her remains under a burned car.

yes this is still a serious issue within the black community nationwide while homosexuality increases and now it's worser because of the rise of aids in the black community this was all designed by the man and his system which will continue to niggerize poor black males you should also read the infamous william lynch letter for info on how the black male and woman was broken.

I enjoyed this book when I first read it as much for the kinds of bridges it seemed to make as for his own writing style and subject matter. R.F. Thompson, who I had the pleasure of meeting once in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is someone who along with being highly knowledgeable cares a great deal for the subject. Where the book could be considered lacking I would say is it's way of seeming dated. It bares some cultural prejudice which, considering the cultural remoteness of the subject matter when compared to the intellectual/cultural arena of the writer(African and African-American, Afro-Cuban/Hispanic culture vs. Post-World War II Ivy League) - and how well he did anyway- is forgiveable, but present nonetheless. If you are expecting some pretty powerful things to be said about Coltrane, or the early days of Rap music and Hip-hop dance (now in its third decade of existence already), or Modigliani, or other things that are in the forefront of the present culture's mind, to a certain degree you will be disappointed. However, if you had no idea other than the Alex Haley "Roots" era rhetoricals about the derivation of many African-American and Hispanic/Hispanic-American cultural paradigms, this will enlighten you in ways that will have you going to the bookstore to see what else he and many others have written on the subjects. I recommend it- particularly for lovers of European modern art, studies of religion, and other things influenced by the Mother country.

Thompson's work on African retentions in New World artforms is seminal in the field of African Diasporan art history. However, Flash of the Spirit reads more like a best seller than a textbook. Fascinating details and insights into the meanings of art from Haiti to Georgia to Brazil, with excellent context for all objects. Great for anyone at all curious about African heritage, religion, and art. Occasionally thick reading, as one must trace entire cosmologies, but well layed out, full of illustrations, and textually easy to follow. Thompson makes an obscure genre easily accesible to readers of varied backgrounds.

If I could give this book 6 stars I would. Robert Farris Thompson presents our rich, ancient history making it quite clear that African Americans are not an isolated group but a group intimately connected to particular cultures and societies in West Africa and the African diaspora. The rich text is generously supported by illustrated plates. Essential reading for those who wish to gain an understanding of African cosmology, philosophy and art in relation to the African diaspora (North and South America, copious information on Brazil, the Carribean etc) Great reference material for students, artists, writers, researchers and thinkers. As an educator, writer and author I highly recommend this book.

This is a very interesting book. Murray is an incredibly erudite scholar on blues and jazz traditions as well as both idioms' place in American culture. This novel is very much in the jazz/blues vein of investigation and exploration of different form; in this case, prose. At first I found his style somewhat disconcerting, but once into the book, I was completely drawn in by the perfect rendering of deep southern speech, the affecting characters and the deeply intriguing Luzana Cholly and other juke joint characters. Murray also writes movingly of the protaganist's (many say this book is semi-autobiographical)sexual awakening and discovery of a profound twist in his life.

I discovered this book in a college course this year (2002). This review is aimed specifically for those who have always cast a skeptical eye at the literary offerings of the last half of the twentieth century. If, like me, you have always scoffed and balked at the notion that there were numerous undiscovered great pieces of American literature, buy this book.
When I think of this century's great writers I think mainly of Eliot, Kafka, Naipal, Wright, Hemingway, Wolfe, Proust, and Orwell. There are others, but I make this list to illustrate that I am a rather conservative reader, a "Canon Man". All of this to say one thing:
I truly believe that this book will only be fully revealed for what it is in a decade or two...and when that day comes, when scholars are tripping over each other in the rush to sift through what is left to us of Murray's life, thoughts and writings, they will all be wondering what kept the current generation of scholars from seizing upon this legend while he still walked the earth.
I've always wondered when someone was going to write an "epic" American poem. "Train Whistle Guitar" is the closest thing to that. This book will introduce you to the freshest and wisest American voice I have read in the last three years. After finishing this book for my course work I picked it up again the following weekend to return to the beginning once more. The language is so skillfully used Murray makes genius look easy. Like watching a beautifully captured film for the first time, or walking up to a panoramic pastoral, I needed to return again to look for all I missed the first time...That first time while I had been challeneged enough just seeing past the sheer beauty of what lay before me.
Murray's book is more than merely linguistic and structural acrobatics. Murray establishes both an exlusive "black" voice speaking directly backwards to Richard Wright and also the Harlem Renaissance while at the same time writing to include the entirety of the American experience. The end result is a book so remarkable in its complexity and so complex in its execution that for it to be so smooth and fluid is an achievement worthy of note in and of itself. "Train Whistle Guitar" exceeds this and goes beyond the sublime.
I have yet to read the other two books that follow in this trilogy, "The Spyglass Tree" and "Seven League Boots", but I believe I will give "Train Whistle Guitar" a third reading because it is just that good.
At the risk of repeating similar sentiments from other reviews, Murray's book goes beyond the boundaries of both verse and prose and achieves the impossible...a book as melodic, complex and resonant as the Blues and Jazz compositions that inspire it.

I'm not sure why Murray had not recieved the attention he deserves in the canon of American authors. His work is among the finest I have ever read. This book, his first, is one of my personal favorites and deserves recognition.

The most striking aspect of this book is Murray's style, which is absoloutely a joy to read. The major accomplishment that Murray makes in Train Whistle Guitar is the incorporation of the improvisational rhythms of Jazz and blues into speech. In other words, Murray's narrator and characters talk in riffs, call-and-response patters, in trading-twelve exchanges. It's awkward to talk about this but pick up this book and you will get an idea of what I am driving at. His prose is rhythmic forceful and eloquent, swift and swift and not too swift. This work was one of the first to incorporate the aesthetics of Jazz into prose and novel; the result is a profound success.

This stylistic power is mated to the story of a boy growing up in blues-filled Gasoline Point alabama. The way jazz music is integrated into both plot and style is impressive; and make no mistake, Murray is quite serious about the role that music plays in his character's upraising and confrontations with life. Brilliant.