How confusing it is separate Anais' life from her books--or is that the worst one could do to her? The sticking point to a critical understanding of Anais Nin has always been the (incestuous?!) relationship between life and art, diary and fiction. Its especially confusing now that all the truths (or half of them?) are revealed bit by bit in the "unexpurgated" diaries. Is Anais a bigamist? A nymphomaniac? A compulsive liar? Can't she be, and a genius, too? This book has been critical to helping me get my head together about Anais Nin, one of the late twentieth century's most important novelists.

This book provides a wonderful summary of African-American history--it's comprehensive and full of little known historical facts. I think this book provides a very good starting point for anyone that would like to learn more about African-American history. BUT, the grammar, syntax, use of cliches and lack of organization may prove distracting for many readers. I read this book after reading a book on how to improve my own writing and many of the "writing don'ts" in that book find a home in this book. HOWEVER, the information was worth the frustration.

I read this book for my African American history class, and I don't think I would have read it if it hadn't been for the class, but I really liked it! I learned a lot that I know I'll take with me for years to come. All the really big important African American leaders are represented here, and all of their portraits are exciting...