This is not the first book Ms. Orgill has written about musicians. In this, as in the others, her passion for, and knowlege about music shines through her words.
MAHALIA is not only a meticulously researched biography, but also an excellent portrayal of the times in which Mahalia lived. It is definately not just a book to be pulled out during Black History Month. It's a well told, important story for everyone, and should be in every library and school library in the country.

This is a wonderful look at the determination of the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. She not only brought Gospel singing to the world, she was a force in the civil rights movement as well. Ms. Orgill has written a compelling biography and writes in a style that practically "sings" like Mahalia herself. This beautifully written book with its wealth of photographs bring Mahalia and that time in history vividly back to life.

I couldn't wait for this book to hit the bookstores! It was refreshing to read a "new" book on this incredible woman. Mrs. Orgill included many photos to help the reader sense what the times were like for Mahalia during her growing up years right on through to the high point in her career. The book showed photos of the home Mahalia grew up in and also the first home she owned. Mahalia lived a very hard life but her faith in God saw her through. She devoted herself to a life in Gospel music and never let anything or anyone tempt her to change her mission in life. Mahalia was one of Gospel music's pioneers and no one since has been able to fill her shoes. This book was a job well done. Excellent reading...

This is one awesome cookbook! Recipes are easy to follow. Turn very inexpensive cuts of meat into very tasty dishes. This is one very interesting book either for the recipe content or the Mahalia Jackson collection. Includes pics of Mahalia preparing these tasty recipes in her kitchen. Sure to please.

I read this lengthy story many years ago. In the meantime I was privileged to meet one of Mahalia's former pianists, Rev. J. D. Strawther, who is so listed in the book. Hearing Strawther's chronicle of his experience with the powerful singer made the book come alive to me. I am a very strong admirer of the late Clara Ward, and enjoyed reading, from Mahalia's viewpoint, about the relationship of the Ward Singers and Miss Jackson.

It is extremely admiral to see how that Mahalia pulled herself up by her own bootstraps in a day and time when that was very difficult, and given her problem with timing in regards to her vocal singing. It must have taken a lot of courage for Laurraine to write the good, the bad and the ugly; and some instances were rather disappointing. But she wrote as she was instructed, "Don't make me no saint, baby."

Just great...but very long. In my school library, we have 2 copies of of this book, and I believe that I've checked them out close to 15 times. I really enjoyed the parts that I've been able to read.

It had it's contented times and it had it's sad times. There's information about Mahalia's concerts/T.V appearances...what went on backstage, during the concert, and after the concert. One of my favorites was the part where Mahalia was a guest on Dinah Shore's show and they sang many songs, and then it came time to sing my favorite song, "Elijah Rock." Dinah said that she couldn't remember the words, but tried everything in her power to distract her singing by clapping or adding stuff in the song. I believe that I remember reading that Mahalia, shortly after beginning the song, saw that Dinah forgot the song and kept looking at her in a joking manner. I laugh everytime I read that.

This book was great, and you should read it to...SERIOUSLY!

Mahalia Jackson was said to indeed be a very suspicious woman. That is why she had peculiar habits such as accepting cash only for performances. Even the author testifies to her distrust. Why therefore even if some of the things said were true I don't think that Mahalia would have revealed her faults and shortcomings to man whom she knew very little about. The book creates an evil picture of Mahalia. It would break the heart of any Mahalia Jackson fan. The author also claims to have been friendly with Mahalia's godson - Brother John Sellers, who was one of the interviewees for the book and who supposedly helped to degrade Mahalia. If Brother John did indeed love Halie like the mother he never had, I don't think that he would stoop so low as to want to defame her for the sake of a novel.

I do agree with the critic above who says that there are alot of wrong facts stated stated in the book. Here are some corrections that need to be made.

Mahalia was born in 1911.
Her mother had only sisters.
She went to Chicago at age 16.
Jules never mentioned Mahalia's first recording date in 1937 for Decca Records

She divorced her first husband in 1941
She toured Europe with Big Bill Broonzey in 1952 not 1955
She played herself in the movie, Imitation of Life - she was also in four other films.

She received her first Grammy Award in 1962
She received another in 1963, a Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award in 1972 and another Grammy in 1976.

She did not start courting her second husband until the early 60's.
She did not perform in a Pink Organza gown in the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival - it was sea blue/turquoise with diamond-like sequins along her collar, center and cuffs of her sleeve.
There are other misinfo's that he is guilty of printing...shame on you Mr. Schwerin.

Schwerin apparently had a unique relationship with Mahalia Jackson, one that offered him insight into her actions and motivations. Unfortunately, he had his own agenda, and it seems to have precluded him from getting to the facts. For example, he comments on Mahalia's role in Imitation of Life, and one wonders whether he ever saw the movie. His inaccuracies make the reader question passages of the book about areas of her life that are not so well known by the public. His writing is careless.