At first, I was sure if i wanted to read this book because it was suggested in my book club (i'm the only male) cause i thought it was going to be another stereotypical, E. Lynn Harris-type black love story. I am so glad that i was wrong. This book touched on almost everything i've thought about as a black, heterosexual man growing up in white america. His imagery and word usage made me feel like i was right there on the block growing up with him or in the poetry club listen to him spit his poetry. I HIGHLY recommend black men to read this because we have been through one or all of the things Datcher touches on in this novel. An excellent read!

RAISING FENCES is a breathtaking account of one black man's (Michael Datcher) journey from childhood to the remarkable man he is today.

Told with such truth and emotion, RAISING FENCES depicts Mr. Datcher's experience being parented by an adoptive mother, who definately sets a solid foundation for his growth into manhood, and moves through a forest of obstacles that ultimately leads him into lifelong decisions about and for his future.

This book is not only about family, friends, relationships, love and deception...... but also about growth and identity.

Exceptionally written and poetically told, RAISING FENCES is a book for ALL to read so much so, you will be left intoxicated with words of wisdom!

This book was unbelievably refreshing. In fact I was so impressed with the level of honest reflection and emotional depth in Raising Fences that I have discussed it with almost every man I know. Datcher's willingness to let us see inside his soul had provided a context
for Black men and women to discuss the issues that are plagueing our relationships. He gave me hope for Black Love and also set a new standard for communication between the sexes. I may start a book club just to keep talking about how good it is. The icing on the cake is the beauty of the poetry and prose throughout the book. I predict that this is a classic that will keep people coming back again and again. Beyond the love story, we have a basic "coming of age" formula within a battleground of tumultuous experiences that could easily have shaken the foundation of anyone's belief system. Yet, Datcher captures the struggle and creates a jewel for his readers to enjoy. Buy two. Read one and share the other.

I'm sure that the artist photographers are masters in their field. However, the sampling introduced in this book barely made my mouth water (with the odd exception), let alone drool.

If you're serious about photography, and less about the depiction of male beauty, this book is for you.

The photographs and reproductions of drawings and paintings and sculture in David Leddick's book are so clear, clean and produced so beautifully that it makes this important, if paperbound, volume worth the high price.

Leddick has cleverly divided the book into seven different categories: artists who are experimentalists, those who are neo-classicists, eroticists, fantasists, sensualists, realists and romanticists. The categories contain images by famous artists: David Hockney, John Dugdale, Christopher Makos, Nan Goldin, Duane Michaels, et al. mixed with those of artists who are not so well known, my personal favorites being David Halliday and Greg Bruce.

Leddick's opening essay (which could very easily be much longer and more detailed) explains what artists in the past had to put up with if their art contained even a hint of male eroticism. Times have obviously changed and this book is proof of that fact.

My one criticism, and it is a major one, is that the author insists on "gilding the lily." All of his examples speak best by being viewed. Besides biographical material which is to my mind vital, Leddick's extraneous editorial comments often border on the precious and are always unnecessary i.e. "Jack Slomovits photographs men who seem to be lost in their own erotic fantasy world...," "It's hard to imagine how he (Stewart Shining)finds time for his artistic pursuits between meetings with fashion editors, shoots in Florida and bookings in his studio...," "Rankin is very much a rebel with a cause...."
My advice: Look at the countless, first rate examples in the book and then contact the artists or their representatives as listed in the index to learn more about them.

Gay men might be well advised to buy two copies of this book because the first one's pages are likely to be stuck together in no time (you know what I mean). Page after page of gorgeous male bodies!!! Beautiful!!! Women ought to appreciate this too.