PDF Colored People: A Memoir by Henry Louis Gates Jr. in History

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Henry Louis Gates Is A Leader In The Study of Racial HistoryBy corsairIf you are not familiar with Henry Gates you should read this book and his other works. Gates grew up poor in WV and has lived through the turbulent times of the 60's and the sweeping changes in civil rights. I find Mr. Gates's views on racial issues to be direct; realistic and logical. His writing appeals to me because I think he talks about race issues in America from the standpoint of someone who looks at all people as what they are - human beings with all their failings and strengths who behave in relationship to their environment. All Americans should study U.S. Black history because it allows one to understand some basic truths about ourselves as a nation - where we went wrong and how strong oppressed people can be. I recommend H.L. Gates as an excellent historian for those who want an accurate view of race in America and to study racial history. This book was a pleasant and worthwhile read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Letter to My ChildrenBy JonesThis book in many ways took on the flow and the cadence of a letter for his daughters Maggie and Liza. It is in the preface that he writes of the fears that his childhood home would cease to exist; that this place; the village of Piedmont; West Virginia snuggled in the Allegheny mountains across the way from what was referred to as the Tri-Towns; three cities not more than a mile or so apart; Luke; Maryland; and Westernport; Maryland. This was the place in which the stories that he has related in this book; originate. In time as this village; this town; whose people saw; taught and mentored him; a time and place that molded and shaped him; that groomed and grew him; would cease to exist ; that it would be vaporized by time and space; by growing on and growing old; by an industry that saw and rode through the changes and served as the life blood; the life force of the town; the fears and concern that his town could become a ghost town; a place to be from; and in many respects it is not there anymore; except in the memories of the inhabitants present and former; it rests in the memory of what once was. Because the industry in which was the centre of activity for the town had decided that it would be better off else where. Piedmont still stands; it remains in place; and however it has become a smaller village still; suffering mergers and consolidation of the school system.As each book is a journey; and as a result you come away from each page a changed person and when the journey is complete; you are different; you are changed.In all there was much in this book; a very short one I might add; was quite enjoyable and refreshing to read. In some ways this book is no linear; meaning it did not start exactly when the writer was born; it started somewhere a little after the fact and jumped around through his life as if going through a series of flash backs; he gently describes the change of life for a very small town and its inhabitants adeptly; the relationship he has with several of his friends is special; I especially enjoyed how he relates his growing apart from a girl that he went to school with; how they were in a manner of speaking friendly rivals; how similar that they were and still very different; and how they got on famously until she was taught that she should not have that kind of relationship with a black male. This was a story that reflected what many of us take for granted; however when the author does relate how he started in an integrated school; how his father came to finally purchase a house with the assistance of him and his older brother; how he was not really any good at sports; but he later adapted and found something that was equally important to the sports world in order to be closer to his father and older brother. There was a little bit of talk about Marcus Garvey; the record store that they would frequent. There were many; many other instances in which Louis Gates became he; the person that he has become today; from the range of reading material; the suggestion that he change the difficulty level in what he was reading and it changed him as a person. To his religious upbringing; if you think about it; almost all people of African descent attended church; at least while they were young; it's in our DNA. I would highly recommend this book to everyone0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Deep Down in Piedmont - the Real-Rated Version!By RYCJLoved Mr. Gate's word choice. So prominently square; yet eloquently fashionable. Almost started this pitch off naming him Sir Gates; following the way he tells on `Colored People' in rather ascot form. Informing some; and reminding others; he graduates us on an annotated history of Piedmont; (a place I'd never heard of); on out to population count and who lived where; did what; and how so; to soufflé us on `prime time' history and familial dealings.My biggest peeve was wishing Mr. Gates had not changed suits so abruptly and frequently. For instance; he spent a good minute on good hair/bad hair and complexion; but wouldn't treat the `one time when this or that happened' to the same good minute. Dang it! I wanted the longer versions about his parents and the Gates' and Coleman; and even a little more about him; before moving on to the next `prime time' sport.I really had to get used to that aspect of the storytelling; though too; which I now adore; I love the fact that I can pick up Colored People any time and start reading any section; over and over! Certainly very well done. It's raw and real. A Must; Must Read now sitting on my keeper shelf!