Making a Place for Ourselves examines an important but not widely chronicled event at the intersection of African-American history and American medical history--the black hospital movement. A practical response to the racial realities of American life; the movement was a "self-help" endeavor--immediate improvement of separate medical institutions insured the advancement and health of African Americans until the slow process of integration could occur. Recognizing that their careers depended on access to hospitals; black physicians associated with the two leading black medical societies; the National Medical Association (NMA) and the National Hospital Association (NHA); initiated the movement in the 1920s in order to upgrade the medical and education programs at black hospitals. Vanessa Northington Gamble examines the activities of these physicians and those of black community organizations; local and federal governments; and major health care organizations. She focuses on three case studies (Cleveland; Chicago; and Tuskegee) to demonstrate how the black hospital movement reflected the goals; needs; and divisions within the African-American community--and the state of American race relations. Examining ideological tensions within the black community over the existence of black hospitals; Gamble shows that black hospitals were essential for the professional lives of black physicians before the emergence of the civil rights movement. More broadly; Making a Place for Ourselves clearly and powerfully documents how issues of race and racism have affected the development of the American hospital system.
#428713 in Books Terry Alford 2015-04-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.50 x 1.50 x 9.30l; 2.00 #File Name: 0195054121464 pagesFortune s Fool The Life of John Wilkes Booth
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating; but where are the pictures?By JudithThis is a thorough; well-researched biography of John Wilkes Booth. This man certainly got around. For instance; I had no idea he was present (as part of the militia) when John Brown was hanged. Another interesting factoid; I'd always heard the couple in the box with the Lincolns described as an engaged couple. In fact; they were engaged; but they were also step-siblings.Many times when biographers research criminals they fall into the trap of becoming too sympathetic to their subjects. They often become apologists; defending bad behavior. This author did not fall into that trap. Nor; did he portray Booth as an evil lunatic. Alford portrays Booth as a complete individual whose passions for the lost cause of the South led his mind astray.Two parts of the book I found especially interesting were about the fate of Booth's body; and the author's answer to conspiracy theories that Booth wasn't really killed in that barn.The only small criticism I have is that there were no pictures--at least not in the Kindle edition. The text even talks about how Booth looks in specific pictures; which makes it all the more odd that the pictures are not included. I got another book from the library; titled Bad Brother; that has a lot pictures of Booth; so I know many exist. Still the book was a terrific read. Highly recommended.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Content is great; but technical glitch put an end to reading for the moment . . .By Magpie52I had been enjoying this biography; but had to stop reading because I was unable to access the footnotes without the tapping action subsequently crashing my devices (attempted on two different versions of Kindles; crashes happened on both). I have since reported this problem to ; and; after a series of attempts to resolve the problem; was told that their technical team will look into it. (It's already been three days; and I've not received a follow-up from them; so I'm not sure what that means.) All of this is just to say that if you are curious about the sources of quotations as you read; I would maybe order this in print instead. But it's a very interesting; well-written book; and I highly recommend it.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Good Read!By Robert H. ClineAn exhaustive biography of John Wilkes Booth that is worth the read! Alford presents Booth as a likeable personality until his mind begins to deteriorate during the Civil War. The author holds the attention of the reader throughout the book; and I found myself feeling sorry for Booth as he became consumed with hatred. An actor with great potential and flare; this is a story of personal tragedy on many levels. I highly recommend this book.
