Book Description
From the author of the national bestseller
The Shirt off His Back comes a novel about love, family, and honoring loved ones
Death brings about strange emotions, and people’s true colors start to show. Glynda Naylor discovers this when she gets the call that her father has died suddenly and she must fly from Los Angeles to Baltimore to bury him. Her beloved daddy, Edward Naylor, raised his four young daughters after their mother's death, and was the perfect father, brother, fiancé, and friend to those who loved him. As friends and family gather to pay tribute to this pillar of the community, Glynda and her sisters begin to search for answers about who the real Edward Naylor was. Their father was a good man, without question, but he also took a secret to his grave. What happens when his secret shows up for the funeral?
Customer Reviews:
Interesting Read.......2007-10-03
This was a good book from beginning to finish. The characters are so real and believeable I'm sure they are related to me (smile). This is a story of your average American family with all the love, issues, and differences so many of us share. I appreciate the writer not sugar-coating the issues and being so honest. Reading this book will cause you to take a long hard look at our own family situation and to reflect, respect, value and hopefully appreciate who we are and what we have. There are places in the book that will lead you to believe that there isnt alot of love but keep reading it shows just how we as families can really be selfish, mean, hateful and disrepectful, but it never fails to restore your faith that "Love" overcomes everything and thats what God is "Love".!!!
Boring.......2007-06-12
It took me weeks to finally finish this book. It was boring and a bit over dramatic.
UNBELIEVABLE AND FORGETABLE.......2006-11-15
I had the misfortune of attempting to read this book. I say attempting because I was not able to finish it. After chapter 6, I was already bored with it and I found myself doing what I usually do when I have lost interest in a book and that is I started skimming it. I was disgusted with the constant bickering and juvenile behavior of the sisters, Uncle Thomas' speech patterns, the constant crying and the general lack of plot development. It was clearly one of the worst books ever. I didn't care about any of the characters and had no interest in the ending. How can a person leave that much money to that many people? I could not wrap my mind around it.
"Dysfunction At It's Worst".......2006-07-09
I have to say that this book was unique. The men in the book were strong shoulders for their women to depend on. Now the women...if you wanna call them that, were nothing but a bunch of ignorant, no-class having idiots. If it was possible to reach inside this novel, I would have kicked Collette's you-know-what myself!!! Dawn and Nina were the only ones with some sense. I can't say too much about Glynda and Renee. The plot-line was predictable and what I didn't care for at all was the way the writer had Uncle Thomas talking...it was embarrassing. The constant bickering was working my nerves too. If anything, Nina's the one who should be pissed because she was born 3 years BEFORE the other Naylor sisters. She didn't have the benefit of growing up around her sisters because her father was too embarrassed with what he had done. I guess that proves that the great Edward Naylor wasn't so perfect after all. This book was a trip.
A Book To Which We Could Relate.......2006-06-23
When our book club discussed this book, we realized that we made personal connections to the characters, which really heightened our perspectives. In our own families, we could identify relatives who emulated the characters represented in this book. Not to mention, we all had witnessed, at some time or another, the "drama" associated with African American funerals. We did, however, state that the plot seemed a little drawn out in the middle; the drama seemed to linger and become cyclical. Overall though, Teachers in Touch enjoyed the book.
Average customer rating:
- My Comments on "Standing at the Scratch Line"
- When are you writing another book?
- This one goes on the "Keeper" shelf
- Where is my King?
- Excellent-A Must Read
|
Standing at the Scratch Line: A Novel (Strivers Row)
Guy Johnson
Manufacturer: Villard
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ASIN: 0375756671
Release Date: 2001-01-09 |
Amazon.com
King Tremain, the badass central character of Guy Johnson's Standing at the Scratch Line, was born LeRoi and grew up in the swampy Louisiana bayou during the first part of the 20th century. It is only when he serves overseas during World War I, however, that LeRoi comes to appreciate the majesty of his name. As he should: fighting in the front lines with the "colored" 369th, LeRoi earns the title King. King takes his soldier's stance home with him and throughout his life kills whoever gets in his way, be they Italian mobsters or policemen. Not one for morals or rational contemplation, he lives by the code he relays to his army buddies during the war: "I just got two rules: be courageous and don't take no shit!"
In the course of tracking King's life, Standing at the Scratch Line crosses cities and decades--from New York to New Orleans to Oakland, from the teens to the '40s. King becomes a wealthy man, largely thanks to the opportunities presented by Prohibition. Handsome and strapping, he easily wins the heart of a Louisiana farm girl, Serena, who becomes his wife. Unfortunately, their love doesn't last long--even though the marriage does--because of tragedies involving their sons, for which he blames his wife. In King, Guy Johnson offers a character who responds aggressively to his time and place in history. He is a man of menacing proportions, with a justice system all his own. --Katherine Alberg
Book Description
Raised in the steamy bayous of New Orleans in the early 1900s, LeRoi "King" Tremain, caught up in his family's ongoing feud with the rival DuMont family, learns to fight. But when the teenage King mistakenly kills two white deputies during a botched raid on the DuMonts, the Tremains' fear of reprisal forces King to flee Louisiana.
King thus embarks on an adventure that first takes him to France, where he fights in World War I as a member of the segregated 369th Battalion—in the bigoted army he finds himself locked in combat with American soldiers as well as with Germans. When he returns to America, he battles the Mob in Jazz Age Harlem, the KKK in Louisiana, and crooked politicians trying to destroy a black township in Oklahoma.
King Tremain is driven by two principal forces: He wants to be treated with respect, and he wants to create a family dynasty much like the one he left behind in Louisiana. This is a stunning debut by novelist Guy Johnson that provides a true depiction of the lives of African-Americans in the early decades of the twentieth century.
Download Description
This much-praised debut novel by the son of Maya Angelou features a larger-than-life antihero, King Tremain, who does whatever it takes to protect his family and build a dynasty.
Customer Reviews:
My Comments on "Standing at the Scratch Line".......2007-01-04
I found the book a little difficult to get into at first and considered it more of a "MAN'S" book. The subjects of war,warfare,skirmishes, battles etc.ect. just is not my cup of tea. I found myself putting the book down several times. However something told me to hang in there.
Also, the portion of the book about King's battle with the mob was a little violent for me. However from the moment King set foot in New Orleans I was hooked. Especially from the time he met Serena.
The book is very well written. The imagery is excellent. The character descriptions and development of characters are right on target. The plot
is very involved but not hard to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I am currently reading the sequel and also finding it a little hard to
follow because of the numerous characters and the jumping back and forth
from the present to the past. But I am sure it's a good read also. I read this book for my book club and can't wait to discuss it.
When are you writing another book?.......2006-05-29
This was one of the best books I've ever read. The sequel was just as good if not better. Please write more!
This one goes on the "Keeper" shelf.......2006-05-29
Guy Johnson, son of Dr. Maya Angelou, is an incredible storyteller. He weaves a tale of the beginnings of King Tremain, an African-American man who came from violent beginnings to forge an empire built on respect, loyalty, and the way of the gun. All he wants is respect, and to someday be the patriarch of a strong, loving family. His path leads him to an army with no love for the black soldier, on to Mob-ruled Harlem, back to his New Orleans roots, fighting the Klan and ignorance in Oklahoma, and finally to San Francisco. It is a journey that, as a reader, I will not soon forget.
This is an exceptional novel, one that builds the blocks of history for the next book, Echoes of a Distant Summer. I'm glad I read Scratch Line first, because it showed another side of King Tremain, tracing the roads he travelled that show how he became the man he is in Distant Summer.
I highly recommend both of these novels.
Where is my King?.......2006-03-24
I had already read this novel before I purchased my very own copy to have in my collection. The storyline is one that will have you not wanting to put the book down. All I kept asking myself was "where is my King"? Guy Johnson keeps you turning the pages from the suspense of finding out what's going to happen next. A very good read.
Excellent-A Must Read.......2006-02-21
Guy Johnson shows that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". Being Maya Angelou's son has to be a burden, but Mr. Johnson shows in both of his King Tremain books that he has made a name for himself. A must read for anyone who values excellent reading material.
Book Description
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for developing me into a
beautiful and talented woman.
Thank you for being my protector
and my guide.
And as I make my way along my journey,
bless me with the wisdom to make
intelligent choices.
So begins
Sorority Sisters by Tajuana "TJ" Butler, a dazzling new voice in African-American fiction. In this wonderful debut novel, five young women from diverse backgrounds pledge an African-American sorority and learn the true meaning of sisterhood.
CAJEN is a naive freshman whose brief affair with Jason, the campus Romeo, has life-changing repercussions. With hardly a chance to cope with her new circumstances, she finds herself dealing with the stress of pledging while battling feelings of depression and guilt.
TIARA grew up as the oldest of five children raised by a single mother in the projects of Gary, Indiana. Motivated by Rhonda, her mentor through the Big Sisters program, she has worked hard for everything she has achieved. Simply being in college is a victory for her.
CHANCEY is brilliant, with a photographic memory that has allowed her to breeze through school. In fact, she skipped her freshman year entirely and entered college as a sophomore. She has always been made to feel like an outsider because of her intelligence, and the sorority represents an opportunity for her finally to fit in.
STEPHANIE is the spoiled only child of a prominent, wealthy family from Savannah. She is used to getting the best and expects no less. But Stephanie is adopted and harbors a secret about her birth mother that she fears win cause others to think less of her.
MALENA is ambitious, talented, and smart. She knows what she wants and is steadfast when it comes to achieving her goals. Her strength and resolve ultimately benefit the group as a whole.
These five very different young women are thrust together and soon must learn to unite and draw upon one another's talents. During the course of their pledge process, they struggle to discover and define their futures, finding strength in the group and within themselves.
In
Sorority Sisters, Butler writes with sensitivity and authenticity about issues revolving around class, friendship, self-discovery, sexuality, and love. She has created characters who remain with you long after the last page has been turned. A gifted young storyteller, Tajuana "TJ" Butler has a voice we'll be hearing from for a long time.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
A new voice in black twentysomething commercial fiction tells the story of Cajen, Tiara, Stephanie, Malena, and ChanceyQfive young African-American college women from diverse backgrounds who pledge a sorority and find strength in sisterhood.
Customer Reviews:
Sporadic Sorority Sisters .......2007-06-20
Sorority Sister is a good book for a 14 year old girl to curl up on a beanie bag on the floor and read. I do not recommend it for adults who have higher reading comprehension. The book is filled with several characters that are never fully developed. It also has possible plots and storylines that never come through. The highlight of the book in the characters flight they each face during the process for selection to become Pink Ladies sorer. The last few chapters are filled with each character in the book somehow having a "light bulb" moment after joining the sorority. I got bored and I didn't even finish the last chapter. Buy this book for a pre-teen or teenage female, but adults beware.
And then what.............2007-06-08
This book was a decent read, not a page turner and it took me a while to get through it. I just didnt like how it ended and wished that the author elaborated more on their lives after they joined the sorority. For example, Did Don and Chancey ever get married, if so did it work out, Did Tiara finally get her family out the ghetto, Did stephanie ever find a man, Did Malena ever move in with Ray if so did it work, Did Cajen and Eric's relationship last? Thats just SOME of the many unanswered questions I have regarding this book. In other words it didnt have an epilogue.
Fun Story.......2006-08-16
I read this one in two days. It was a fun and easy to read story and I just got caught up. The simplistic writing style and cast of characters made this one a treat. I wouldn't buy it - borrow it from the library.
Good.......2005-07-12
This is a good book for anyway who wants to learn more about how the process goes and about some of the things you will encounter!
Easy Read....That's It!!!!.......2005-05-21
I would have to agree with Shamontie. The dialogue and the visuals are terrible!!! I felt as though I was force-feeding myself trying to read this book. I write myself so I know how a visual should be presented. She tells us everything and leaves nothing to the imagination. I still can't really tell you how any of the characters look. There is nothing really memorable about her descriptions. Those who say some of the events were not true to life are lying or in denial. I sure hope her econd book is much better. I do congratulate her on following her dreams.
Book Description
The Rev. Jonah Dove is the son of a legendary Harlem minister, and a man troubled in both mind and spirit. He feels himself unworthy and incapable of taking up the burden of running his church from the larger–than–life figure who is his father. He is haunted both by his own, shameful history of "passing" as a white man in college, and by the prospects for his people in the harsh, new, racist age he fears the world is entering. Malcolm Little –– better known as Malcom X –– is a teenage hustler from Lansing, Michigan by way of Boston, a young man on the make, trying always to be something bigger, tougher, savvier, and more confident than he really is.
On his way to New York, Malcolm happens to come to the rescue of Jonah and his wife, Amanda, when they are attacked by some drunken soldiers on the train. From then on, their paths cross repeatedly as they each go about trying to find what they really want out of the roiling, wartime city, until the moment when Harlem finally erupts around them, as a people driven beyond endurance strikes out blindly at all the forces keeping it entrapped in misery and hopelessness. Stranded on the streets of a rioting city, Jonah and Malcolm meet each other once more, as they come to grips with what they are and what the future will hold for them.
Customer Reviews:
Evocative and ambitious.......2007-06-01
This is a REAL novel, written by an authentic novelist. His recreation of 1940s Harlem as a moral universe unto itself unfolds like something Duke Ellington might have composed -- jaunty, sexy, smooth and bombastic. My only complaint would be that the narrative at times lacks a compelling drive, making some sections overly picaresque and stagnant. Nonetheless, an impressive piece of work.
Least Fiery of Baker's Trilogy.......2006-11-01
The third in Baker's "City of Fire" trilogy of historical fiction about New York City, this book is set in the early `40s in Harlem with the story told through the eyes of a young Malcolm Little, who in later life would become Malcolm X, and the fictional Rev. Jonah Dove (based on Adam Clayon Powell, who also appears as himself in the book.)
Baker's meticulous research results in Harlem scenes that resonate with believability. Laid against the backdrop is the story of Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad (founder of the Black Muslims), which has to be dealt with on a symbolic level. While an enjoyable read, this one didn't quite measure up to the promise generated by Baker's first two parts of the trilogy, Dreamland and Paradise Alley.
A thought-provoking historical fiction novel about 1940s Harlem.......2006-04-14
STRIVERS ROW is the third book in Kevin Baker's trilogy of historical novels about New York City. His ambition for these books is enormous, and it is the reader's good fortune that he has fulfilled, and then surpassed, the trilogy's huge potential.
As DREAMLAND, the first book, took readers to Coney Island at the turn of the century, and the second, PARADISE ALLEY, took us to the Lower East Side during the Draft Riots, STRIVERS ROW gives us Harlem just as World War II breaks out. Hustling, hellish, hard-hitting, hipped to the play Harlem --- just the sort of place a young man named Malcolm Little selling ice cream on the Yankee Clipper might plan to visit for an evening's entertainment and wind up never getting back on that train again. Malcolm Little is the cocky, good-time, pre-Islam Malcolm X, whose casual drug use and petty crime start to spiral out of control just as his rage over the condition of black Americans distills into an overwhelming feeling that there must be something more.
Malcolm shares the narrative with Jonah Dove, son of Milton Dove, whom readers might remember from PARADISE ALLEY. Jonah is a minister, pressed into inheriting his father's place in the church despite his doubts and lack of a calling. Milton Dove is a hero to his flock, the legendary founder of the church, and Jonah feels entirely inadequate to his task, a feeling that inevitably becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. He has been secretly indulging his habit of "passing," banking on his light skin to lead people to assume that he is white, after a humiliating incident on the train. Malcolm Little witnessed the minister and his wife, saw how drunk white soldiers treated them, and the two men keep running into each other at crucial moments, both bewildered that "the man from the train" keeps turning up.
Malcolm is unaware that the love of his life, the white singer Miranda, is actually Jonah's equally light-skinned sister. She has turned passing into a way of life, protected by West Indian Archie, Malcolm's mentor in drug dealing and number-running. Kevin Baker makes the two men's frequent encounters seem inevitable: their problems of doubt and self-loathing are so similar and such products of being young black men in white America that they transcend all their differences in character. The crises increase until Harlem is on the brink of a riot and both men are matured and permanently changed by their experiences.
Strivers Row is an actual street in Harlem, the destination of choice for blacks who have found a way to succeed. World War II, however, makes it impossible to live there without remembering the Jews of Europe. They liked to live in the same neighborhoods too, and it only made it easier to round them up and kill them. The characters in STRIVERS ROW question if assimilating with mainstream white culture might be a better choice, and if it might not be self-destructive for black men to fight a white man's war.
Kevin Baker takes great glee in working in the colorful, marvelously funny slang of the period. Readers might find it helpful to peruse the jive glossary in the back of the book before plunging into this unforgettable novel about another of New York City's crucibles.
--- Reviewed by Colleen Quinn (CQuinn9368@yahoo.com)
An Extraordinary Experience.......2006-03-14
For six years and three books, Baker has been building, brick by brick, his own city, and it is a classic. With Striver's Row, the high-rises are inhabited, the streets are paved, the corners are teeming. You see how the country came together, and you understand that the world of books has been resting in sure hands. Baker has a detective's eye and a preservationist's heart: but most of all, he has a writer's head, and the proof is on every page. This book tops off a trilogy, but Striver's can be read alone; if it were a first novel, it'd be a cause for celebration. As the end of a series, it's an occassion for gratitude.
Stellar weaving of fictional characters and historical characters.......2006-03-14
This is a stellar weaving of fictional characters and historical characters; and of fictional story telling amid historical events.
Baker deftly transports the reader into the period, and into the lives, thoughts and dreams of his characters.
I have not read the previous two books in Kevin Baker's series, but I will search them out now!
I loved this book!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent!
- predictable but good
- Love this book
- This book is a page turner. Worth every penny!
- I Couldn't Put It Down!!
|
The Dying Ground: A Maceo Redfield Novel (Strivers Row)
Nichelle D. Tramble
Manufacturer: Villard
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Binding: Paperback
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The Last King: A Maceo Redfield Novel (Strivers Row)
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ASIN: 0375756531
Release Date: 2001-01-09 |
Book Description
Billy: dead. Felicia: missing.
None of the words made sense together, but the doom I'd expected announced itself. I felt iron in my mouth, like I'd gargled with pennies, a taste like blood, a bitter taste that always followed bad news.
The setting is Oakland, 1989; the crack epidemic is at its height and turf wars are brewing. Maceo Redfield, currently on hiatus from college, is walking a fine line between respectability and involvement in Oakland's drug underworld. As he waits in the neighborhood barbershop, one of his closest childhood friends, Holly Ford, brings him the news of the murder of Billy Crane, the third member of their childhood trio and a successful drug dealer. Felicia, Billy's girlfriend and Maceo's true love, is on the run and suspected of setting up the hit. As he searches for Felicia and the answer to the mystery of Billy's murder, Maceo is drawn deeper into a world in which dealers, players, and interlopers, obeying a code of honor all their own, engage in a deadly game to capture the heart of Oakland. When Maceo uncovers the truth about Billy, the story builds to a terrifying and painful climax.
Download Description
It's 1989 in Oakland, California, and crack cocaine is on the rise. Between Tiananmen Square, AIDS, George Bush, Howard Beach, and the rise of New Kids on the Block, there is a feeling in the air that the world is changing -- and not for the better. This becomes all the more apparent on a hot October day for Maceo Redfield, a former rising baseball star and current college dropout, when he is told that Billy Crane, a prominent drug dealer and one of his best friends from childhood, has been murdered. As Maceo attempts to learn more about Billy's murder -- mainly to find Felicia Bennett, Billy's girlfriend and the love of Maceo's life -- he gets pulled closer and closer into Billy's world. The repercussions of Maceo's investigation for himself, his family, and his friends are both terrifying and tragic in this very satisfying African-American mystery.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent!.......2006-02-26
Okay, I should confess this isn't the type (urban, mystery) of book I would normally pick up to read. But, I couldn't put it down...it rushes along and pulls you in.
Just read it!
predictable but good.......2006-02-17
This is the one right here! The only thing I didn't like about it was all the California talk and that it was predictable. People still get to understand us as young black men with no parents.
Love this book.......2005-11-14
This book is a fast reader and then the follow up is just as good. This one is a hip hop suspense that keeps you wanting to know more. I felt that the characters were well written. Good reading. Don't forget to read the Last King too.
This book is a page turner. Worth every penny!.......2004-10-27
I must say that after reading the insert that I thought I was going to be reading another street saga with a typical simple storyline and plot but boy was I wrong. This book held my attention and even had me anticipating chapter after chapter. I actually finished it in two days.
The characters had depth and going into the backgrounds of their past relationships with each other really helped to enrich the story for a better understanding throughout.
The language was right on point because I have a cousin out in Marin City right outside of Oakland and all I hear out of his mouth is "Is that Right?" then "Right. Right"
The story was well written for it to be the writer's first novel. I never been to Oakland but the writer put me right on the street corner to see it. I will definitely be on the look out for her next novel.
I Couldn't Put It Down!!.......2004-10-09
This book was amazing. The writing was incredible - the characters, the story, everything. It's hard to call this a mystery book, because the quality was just many steps above the typical mystery.
I could not put the book down. I heard there's a sequel to this called "The Last King," and I can't can't wait to read it.
Book Description
Growing up on Philadelphia’s gritty streets, Jermaine Banks was used to fighting, but life has now thrown him some unexpected hooks and jabs. Almost thirty years old, with a three-year-old son who worships the ground he walks on, a pregnant girlfriend whose family hates every breath he takes, and a slain best friend whose death racks him with guilt, Jermaine realizes it’s time to change. But can he step up to the challenge, or will he continue to be a trouble man?
Customer Reviews:
I couldn't put the book down.......2005-06-01
Once I read the first chapter I was hooked. This story had a lot of real life issues and once I read the first few pages I had to see what was going to happen next. Jermaine was a good bad boy who saw the need to change and found a way to do just that. He made some good decisions and also found a way to forgive those who wronged him in the past. This book just made my heart swim with emotion and I can not wait until Travis Hunter writes his next story.
Positive African American Story.......2005-01-07
I really enjoyed looking into the lives and struggles of the hood and also of african american men. Jermaine is a dude that has never worked and always hustled to make ends meet. He has a son of his own and decides that he doesn't want to let his son down and be the type of father he had. Jermaine's father Calvin was never in his life besides sending money. So Jermaine was left for the streets to raise him. Everyone has to deal with the decisions they make in life. Mr. Hunter displays that alot. People having to deal with their life's decisions in the end rather good or bad. But this is a powerful story the tells stories on so many levels other than what I have written here. Read it, you won't be disappointed.
And a trouble man he was.......2004-10-19
This book was another piece adding to my collection. I like this book alot it was truly worthed my time. Jermaine was indeed a trouble man from the little things as a rat down to the most serious things as his life. This book will keep you turning turning turning
GREAT BOOK WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE!!!.......2004-10-10
The heroine in this novel is a young African-American man named Jermaine. Jermaine lives in the inner city, and comes from a single-parent household. Having never known his father, he tries to be the best parent that he can be to his young son Khalil. But the lure of the streets, his other parent, is tough to ignore...can he do the right thing and be the role model to his son that he needs to be? In a nearby Philadelphia suburb (but worlds away from his son's North Philadelphia neighborhood socioeconomically,) Calvin Sharpe has just announced to his wife of 30 years that he is leaving her. The thrill is gone, and his white mistress is waiting in the wings. Calvin dropped out of his son's life years ago because of Jermaine's difficult mother, and hasn't missed a beat. But you know what they say about a woman scorned; and Robin, Calvin's wife, refuses to be deserted. She's going to tell, and tell it all.....for she knows all about young Jermaine that her husband abandoned. Soon the whole family knows of Jermaine's existence, and they can't wait to meet him. Meanwhile, Calvin's idyllic life seems to be collapsing like a house of cards....but is it too late for him to make things right with his oldest son?
A quick read, this was a positive, uplifting book about the power of the Black man...when he allows himself to be empowered. I enjoyed this novel so much, I will be actively looking for additional work from Mr. Hunter.....
DYB
Awesome book!!! A must read!!!.......2004-09-27
This book is simply fantastic!!! I could not put this book down, and Travis Hunter was actually able to make it in such a way that you could have compassion for Jermaine Banks despite the choices he made in his life.
Jermaine Banks is a 29 year old drug dealer. Jerome is a father to a son he loves with all his heart, and has a child on the way with his girlfriend Erin. Erin who wants him to leave the drug life behind. Add into that equation his girlfriends over protective family who does not like Jermaine. Jermaine finds out some news that will change his world. He finds out he has a father he did not know he had, but he also finds out he has a brother. Calvin is a man who has a successful business, but turns out his business dealings are not as legit as they seem. The book focuses on Jermaine making positive choices in his life so he can change his life for the better. He wants to gain custody of his son from his baby's mother, and he wants to do his best to get to know the family (minus his father) that he did not realize he had. We watch as he struggles with his emotions. He wants to do get a job, but will he be able to find one that will pay him enough to support himself and his son. He wants to move out of his neighborhood to avoid the temptation. He wants to be the type of father to his son, that his own father was not to him. He realizes after a good friend of his is gunned down that he has to leave the life.
In this book you will find yourself really feeling for the characters. You feel the inner turmoil of Louis Sharpe (grandfather to Jermaine, and Father to Calvin). You know he wonders if he truly raised his son right, if Calvin could do all that he has done.
Calvin Sharpe, so focused on making money, he could care less about the people in his life, and the pain he brings to his family. Calvin hopes he can right the wrongs in his life before it's too late.
C. J. has the life Jermaine is envious of. The material things like the big house, the maid, everything that money could buy. What he really wanted is his father's love, guidance, and attention.
Mr. Hunter put a subtle, yet poignant message in the book. The message in the story is dealing with the consequences of your actions. It's a book about life in the hood, without it being all thugged out, and that's why I enjoyed it so much. What I also found very fascinating is both Jermain and Calvin were both hustler's in their own way. Jermaine was a street hustler, and Calvin was a corporate hustler. Different lifestyles, but not so different.
The plot twists in this book make this a page turner for sure. I think anyone who reads this novel will really enjoy it. I know I did!!
Average customer rating:
- not like all the rest
- read this book, and thank me later
- Mediocre, not great
- Vivid Realistic
- Dreams Up In Smoke
|
Pipe Dream: A Novel (Strivers Row)
Solomon Jones
Manufacturer: Villard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0375756604
Release Date: 2001-07-31 |
Book Description
The lawyer turned on the tape recorder, handed his client a cigarette, and lit it for him. Black drew hard, squinting as the smoke rushed into his lungs.
"Where do you want to start?"the lawyer said, lighting a cigarette of his own.
"I guess there’s only one place to start; at Broad and Erie."
Johnny Podres, a politician whose record against corruption had been propelling him straight to the mayor’s office, is found murdered in a North Philly crack house.
Enter Samuel Jackson, a.k.a. Black, a drug addict who knows better, a man embittered by the fact that he can’t seem to escape from his addiction to crack cocaine or, for that matter, from himself. Though he was once a family man with a wife and son, Black’s only concern these days is getting his next high, that is, until he stumbles across a friend and fellow addict, Leroy, and both become prime suspects in the Podres murder. Black and Leroy hook up with two female pipers: Clarisse, a registered nurse who is slowly losing to crack any semblance of a respectable life, and Pookie, who already has lost it. Soon the hunt is on for all four as they try to stay one step ahead of a police department under tremendous pressure to solve the case—because if a killer isn’t found soon, this could blow up into one of the biggest scandals in Philadelphia history.
Solomon Jones weaves a suspenseful story against the backdrop of corruption in the Philadelphia police department and centers it on a group of drug addicts who, in the process of fleeing the law, come to terms with their own addiction, leading to some devastating consequences.
Customer Reviews:
not like all the rest.......2007-08-11
this is a urban mystery that was so good that i wish i had read earlier, sorry that i have waited so long to start reading this authors work i have 3 other of his novel that i will start reading soon this is street literature at its best this is not your regular urban story this book will have you turning pages to see if the 4 people make it out alive. this is a must read for those of you that like suspene on the edge of your seat story
read this book, and thank me later.......2007-03-26
By far one of the best book i have ever held in my hands. If your looking for a book to keep you interested, this is the book for you!
Mediocre, not great.......2006-04-23
I was excited by the synopsis on the back cover of this book, which made me select it at the library. And I do commend Solomon Jones for making main characters out of people who, for most of America, are invisible, or at least on the fringes. But this book came off as too melodramatic for me. I appreciated how Mr. Jones made efforts to give everyone a backstory, but all too often, their actions did not make sense to me. For example, the way Charisse and Black interacted just didn't ring true. One second he's threatening her and she's bickering with him, then the next moment they share is tender and intimate. I'm sure there are some relationships like this in real life, but I just didn't buy it with these two characters. I also felt this way about the supposed affection that Pookie and Leroy discovered they shared by the end of the book. The dialogue, especially between cops, was frequently stilted to me. But, I think that these might just be a natural side effects of a new novelist. Jones seems to have pacing and plot down, so I have faith that his next novels will be better. He has potential.
Vivid Realistic .......2006-03-23
This was a very realistic drama. I loved it. I found myself in the car winding down Philadelphia streets. The characters were not bland and actually had depht withought coming off the path of the story. The events were tightly spun together making the story very exciting. I will be getting The Bridge by Mr. Jones Next.
Dreams Up In Smoke.......2006-02-20
Solomon Jones delivers big time in his crime drama Pipe Dream. Four innocent crack heads suspected of killing a politician attempt to outrun their demons along with the Philadelphia Police Department. Solomon Jones spins a crime novel reminiscent of James Patterson with characters from the hood that urban readers will enjoy rooting for. I'm sorry that it took me this long to discover Mr. Jones' talent but I plan on making up for lost time. Mr. Jones you just gained a new fan!!!!
Book Description
Bestselling author Travis Hunter returns with a stunning new novel about family, success, and just how far a man will go to protect those he loves.
Dallas Dupree is a one woman man. A handsome and successful teacher, he is both worshipped and envied in his Atlanta neighborhood and chooses to live and raise his daughter, Aja, in the ghetto where he grew up rather than desert his roots. The only problem is that the one woman for him—his beloved Yasmin—passed away giving birth to his daughter. Now Dallas struggles through a string of empty relationships, unable to commit his heart because no woman can measure up to Yasmin. However, when Dallas plays with the wrong woman, he finds the consequences may cost him much more than he can afford.
Dallas’s sister Carmen has issues of her own. All of her life she has struggled with a weight problem that had caused a lack of self esteem. Now she is an affluent doctor who lives in the suburbs with her handsome new husband, Sterling. When a family crisis forces her to take in her wayward niece, she realizes that the picture perfect world she worked so hard to create is an illusion.
Their older brother, Priest, is pretty secretive about how he makes his money—and he does make a lot of it. He has been a father figure to both Dallas and Carmen, but now that they are all grown up, they want nothing to do with their shady older brother. But when Dallas and Carmen are in trouble, they turn to the one person who has always been there for them—and learn there is more to Priest than meets the eye.
Customer Reviews:
Highly Recommended.......2007-01-21
This is one of Travis' best...This one held me captivated from beginning to end. I love the way Travis works in the characters of his earlier novels. He keeps the drama flowing with realistic tales that we can all relate to.
A page turner....that you won't be able to let go of........2005-12-07
Travis Hunter's "A One Woman Man" book is a page-turner. Once you start reading you won't want to put it down. It is so good that when you read it you feel as if you are a part of the story watching everything that goes on. It deals with some of the most important issues today. Fatherhood, love, scandal, memories, and revenge are some of the topics just to name a few. I applaud Travis Hunter on this book because its a book I can relate to all to well. I give this novel 5 stars, it is one of the best novels I've read in months
Enjoyed It.......2005-09-03
First I have to admit that I hated the cover of this book fo sho! I almost didn't buy it because of it but I'm glad I did. So I guess it's true that you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I appreciate stories about black men who are trying to do the right thing and that was what Dallas Dupree was in A ONE WOMAN MAN. Not necessarily an all together brother, but he was all man and he took care of his daughter and didn't mistreat the ladies. I enjoyed reading Dallas' story, but as minor as her character was compared to that of her brother's, my favorite character was probably Carmen, Dallas' sister. She reminded me very much of my sister-in-law. The way the author molded Priest, Dallas' brother, was genius. I was completely surprised by him and the ending of the book. Overall I give this one 4.5 stars.
Okay read to fend off boredom.......2005-08-08
I did not enjoy this book as much as previous works from this author. The title didn't really seem to fit the actual content of the book and the ending was abrupt and quirky. In the end there seemed to be no real lesson or meaning to it all; so this is the kind of book that you read to fend off boredom or on a long airplane ride to keep you occupied
Stupendous!.......2005-07-27
Rarely do I give 5 stars, but Travis Hunter has done it again by bringing us another novel that's fully engaging. I love novels with a twist and this one has plenty of them! I couldn't put it down and finished in one day (as I did his previous novel). Dallas, was the epitome of a strong black man who overcame early obstacles in life. And everyone should have a friend like Baldhead. All of the characters were very well developed, and the comedic tone here and there was just the right touch. Great ending which showed that things aren't always as they seem. I see A One Woman Man on the bestseller lists for many years to come.
Book Description
A rich mind nourished with positive thoughts, learning, and encouragement can indeed reap rich rewards, writes dynamic author Valorie Burton as she offers 52 simple but powerful ways to enrich your everyday life and do those things that will bring you the rewards you so richly deserve, such as:
• Count Your Blessings
• Change Your Ways to Change Your Life
• Create a Vision Statement
• Mind Your Own Business
• Create Your Own Opportunities
• Listen to Your Inner Voice
Download Description
In Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Burton teaches simple ways to live a life of fulfillment, success, joy, and spiritual well-being in 52 inspiring mini-chapters.
Customer Reviews:
Walk In Purpose.......2007-02-10
In her book, RICH MINDS, RICH REWARDS author Valorie Burton's positivity exudes from the pages! She plants reminder jewels such as "speak in a way that lifts you up" that suggest that we are beautifully and wonderfully made and no matter the situation, we should always look on the bright side of things. By believing in a favorable outcome and speaking in a positive manner, we can counteract the subconscious message that negative banter encourages. Ms. Burton reminds us that if we're expecting our circumstances to change, then we must first effectively change our habits. A wise decision made by a rich mind is one that is guided by love, peace and clarity.
She encourages the reader to not only believe in their dreams but to take the next step in making the dream a reality. The biggest failure is the lack of effort and sometimes if we do step out on faith and fail, this may be God's way of saying, "Excuse me, you're moving in the wrong direction." One of Ms. Burton's mantra is "do what you love and rewards will come." By continually stressing the power of positive thinking and fortifying the inner you with the armor needed to achieve the outward competitive advantage. Burton stresses, "whatever your mind believes will manifest itself in your outside world." Sometimes it is our "inner issues" such as fear, poor attitude, bitterness and jealousy, that limit us from being our best selves. To walk in our ultimate purpose and peacefulness, we need to make the best out of every situation, have effective communications and practice the golden rule.
In a world where "courtesy seems to be the exception versus the rule", we need to consciously seek ways in which to express love. We should learn to love unconditionally versus reactionary. Burton stresses by loving others, we in turn allow ourselves to be loved.
One of the lessons that particularly touched me is if practice makes perfect, yet we continually practice what we don't want in our lives." If you want to be less stressed, more patient, easier to get along with or more healthy, then practice being that way.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Burton, however I definitely look forward to reading more from this author. RICH MINDS, RICH REWARDS has a message for everyone! The tone of the book is light and it flows nicely, yet the messages are profound. Simply said it's a reminder to be nice, treat others well, think happy thoughts and love what you do. If you haven't done so already, I would recommend you pick up a copy of RICH MINDS, RICH REWARDS.
Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Outstanding!.......2002-07-05
This book is thought provoking, encouraging, and inspiring. Put this one on your summer reading list. Other great reads are In-Law Drama and A Guide to the Scriptures. Happy summer reading!
This book will make you RICH in empowerment.......2002-06-03
To anyone looking for an inspirational book that discusses how to empower your life, Valorie Burton's "Rich Minds, Rich Rewards," is the book for you.
The book is divided into mini chapters like Count Your Blessings, Change Your Ways to Change Your Life, Listen to Your Inner Voice, Create Your Mission Statement, Write Down Your Goals, and many more.
Each mini chapter is like a talk with Burton, her self. She gets personal with examples and illustrations that lets the reader know that she is not alone, that someone has made the changes to their life, and she can too. Excersises such as the Daily Blessing book, mission statement, and vision statment help you to put your wants and desires and positive traits onto paper, so that you can begin to utilize the good things in your life and benefit from them.
I definitely plan to start a blessing book and use the suggestions that Burton's little, yet powerful book entails. Be the best person you can be, to yourself and others, and purchase this book today.
Shon Bacon
The Great Investment.......2001-10-20
This book is filled with much wisdom packed knowledge in each mini-chapter. The focus is on you, which if used as a stepping stone in your plans, it will benefit you as well as those around you who will also benefit from your success. This book will engage your focus on your own vision as well as your strength and weaknesses. At the same time it will coach you to make the necessary changes to get the maximum amount of profit out of your efforts. It teaches you the difference between your goals, vision, and dreams, and tells you how you can implement positive procedures to lead you to great rewards. You will grow in confidence in each area and benefit greatly from this little pocket agent, teacher, and lifecoach. It will be a great investment that you will be able to draw information from for all your entrepreneur endeavors for many years to come. I personally feel that I have found a great mentor from which to emulate and to follow her success as I set out to fulfill my own vision.
A Richer Mind...............2001-10-09
Delving deep into her own psyche and experience, Ms. Burton pulls off a major coup with Rich Minds, Rich Rewards in the highly competitive motivational/personal enrichment field. Clearly and succinctly, Ms. Burton puts us on the path to personal fulfillment by guiding us through some of her own personal trials and tribulations. All the while, encouraging readers to ponder the parallels with their own lives.
Ms. Burton actually comes across as good friend who while candidly exposing intimate details, patiently and painstakingly explains those important lessons that are sometimes lost in the process of everyday living.
Someone once said, "Never confuse motion with action". Ms. Burton is a living testament to those words as to what you can accomplish by never ceasing and creating a life of fulfillment, joy and spiritual well being for yourself.
Book Description
After a brief relationship in college, Catherine and Terry found themselves the parents of twin baby girls; Catherine, a reluctant mother from the start, abandoned the children for a successful career overseas. With the help of family and friends, Terry has raised the twins by himself, and now, eleven years later, is about to expand his family again by marrying Jackie, herself a single parent. Suddenly, realizing she needs a better family image to advance her career, Catherine shows up and demands custody of the twins.
With a nasty battle developing, Terry teams up with his best friend, Roland, a powerful attorney, to fight for custody of his children. As Catherine pits the twins against each other, Terry struggles to keep his cool.
With an engaging blend of humor and drama, and characters who seem as if they live right down the block, Parry "EbonySatin" Brown has written an entertaining novel of friendship, romance, and one man's determination to keep his family together.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Download Description
Terry Winston is a good man. He's a hardworking, devoted single father in a loving relationship. He's the kind of man who would do anything for those he loves. When Catherine, the absentee mother of his eleven-year-old twin girls, decides to sue for joint custody for her own selfish reasons, Terry must draw upon all of his strength as well as that of his extended family, which supports and loves him, including: Jackie, his girlfriend of four years, who is also a single parent; she is beautiful but is insecure about being a "full-figured" woman. Roland, his best friend since his college days, a successful family attorney and reluctant bachelor -- or so he says. Mercedes, Jackie's best friend, a PR representative for the Dallas Cowboys, who throws herself into her career to avoid dealing with her mother's death. And last but not least, Momma C, Jackie's mother and the family matriarch. As the preface states, The Shirt off His Back "... is a grand tribute to the men who have lived in the literary shadows of dogs, bastards and hoodlums far too long. 'Bout time". Indeed.
Customer Reviews:
Good Read, But Materialistic/Unrealistic.......2007-02-16
I thought the book was good. It was an easy read. A
little unrealistic and materialistic, but in the same
breath it was refreshing to read about black people
who have excellent careers and about a brother who
does the right thing. It was annoying that everyone
lived happily ever after like fairy tale, but overall
a decent book. I did like the twist with Wendell
turning out to be the P.I. I kinda thought he was
going to be anyway. That was cool. I was just annoyed that the book club I belong to, chose this to read for Black History Month. This book did nothing to inspire or change my life. It was not an eye-opener.
HIgh five for the brother.......2006-08-30
TSOHB was a very good read...I really enjoyed the way the characters were developed and the role that each one played in the book. It was good to see that they were involved in real issues. Terry came thru like a brother should, women do it all the time. Kudos to Parry...
nope!.......2006-07-29
I'm sorry but, this book was whack! i couldnt even finish it. i guess it was to unrealistic. After every chapter I kept saying "yeah right... yeah right... suuuure!!" and the granny's ebonics were about to drive me up the wall!!! it was sooo irritating! but the whole idea of it was great... The wonderful, loving, strong black man. I appreciate that, but come on now.
"Exceptional".......2006-07-22
All the Terry Winstons in the world STAND UP!!!! I loved this book. It's rare that you read about fathers taking responsibility for the children they conceive. Jackie is one classy lady, Roland and Cedes are great together, Veronica, Teresa, and Momma C were just fine. The children: Ariana, Alisa, Michael and Michelle were well-mannered, and respectable to their elders. Nothing can be said about Catherine...poor chile!!!
What a man, what a man, what a "mighty" good man............2005-06-03
Terry Winston possesses all the attributes of a "real African American man--the good husband, good father, good son, good friend." Terry's character is both believable and positive. His mother, sister, girlfriend, daughters, and best friend all recognize and appreciate his dedication and sincerity. His willingness to take the shirt off of his back for his friends and family make him an extraordinary character living an ordinary life. He rises to the challenge in the face of enormous odds, powerfully demonstrating his determination to provide a safe future for his girls and the woman he loves. As the author states in her epilogue, "this work is dedicated to all the brothas who do the right thing, even when no one is watching!" Ms. Brown has penned an excellent work portraying a strong man doing exactly what he is supposed to do.
Books:
- Something Blue
- Something Borrowed
- Sunrise (Sunrise Series #1)
- Sweet Life: Adventures On The Way To Paradise
- Sweet Revenge (Revenge of the Sisterhood)
- Tamed by Your Desire (Brides of the Bloodstone)
- The Cancer Treatment Revolution: How Smart Drugs and Other New Therapies are Renewing Our Hope and Changing the Face of Medicine
- The Chocolate War (Readers Circle)
- The Color of Magic
- The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale
Books Index
Books Home
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- The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization
- The Schwarzbein Principle II: The "Transition" - A Regeneration Program to Prevent and Reverse Accel
- The Mental Edge
- Advances in Accounting: A Research Annual
- Stochastic Linear Programming: Models, Theory, and Computation
- Emmanuel's Book: A Manual for Living Comfortably in the Cosmos
Let the Church Say Amen
Church Folk
Second Sunday
The Shirt off His Back: A Novel (Strivers Row)
What Goes Around: A Novel
