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kesh757's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book for boys, especially those without positive male figures in their lives.
worldlibraries's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up because it was chosen as THE Best Book for Young People by the American Library Association for 2007. That is quite an endorsement. I had never heard of the author or seen his TV show.
"Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny" was outstanding! I wish I could put a copy in every single young person's hands. While the title implies that the book is especially relevant title for young black males, anyone would find this book inspirational.
I loved hearing about Hill's grandfathers and family life. Hill grew up in Iowa City, Iowa and the family history is especially interesting to me because I'm an Iowan. The way he described what could be learned in a single-parent household was so lovingly described and unusual to hear. I also respected how vulnerable the author made himself by sharing his mistakes. The stories create incredibly powerful and interesting lessons.
This is a great gift to give to any young man between ages 14-20.
"Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny" was outstanding! I wish I could put a copy in every single young person's hands. While the title implies that the book is especially relevant title for young black males, anyone would find this book inspirational.
I loved hearing about Hill's grandfathers and family life. Hill grew up in Iowa City, Iowa and the family history is especially interesting to me because I'm an Iowan. The way he described what could be learned in a single-parent household was so lovingly described and unusual to hear. I also respected how vulnerable the author made himself by sharing his mistakes. The stories create incredibly powerful and interesting lessons.
This is a great gift to give to any young man between ages 14-20.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
Hill Harper is an actor, but he is so much more. A classmate of Barak Obama's at Harvard Law, he is also a motivational speaker who spends his free time talking to high school students about making the right decisions.
He has written this book for the young men he speaks to all over the US as a series of letters. In each one he answers a fictional question from his "young brother", dispensing advice on how to cope with things like girl problems, school issues and money. The book also includes advice from other prominent African-American stars that Harper has asked to contribute.
The book is eminently readible and appealing to the teens to whom Harper is trying to talk. His conversational style makes him seem like an older brother dispensing advice. He is also not afraid to show emotion, although at times this can come off as a little artificial.
Still, I would buy this for the young man in your life.
He has written this book for the young men he speaks to all over the US as a series of letters. In each one he answers a fictional question from his "young brother", dispensing advice on how to cope with things like girl problems, school issues and money. The book also includes advice from other prominent African-American stars that Harper has asked to contribute.
The book is eminently readible and appealing to the teens to whom Harper is trying to talk. His conversational style makes him seem like an older brother dispensing advice. He is also not afraid to show emotion, although at times this can come off as a little artificial.
Still, I would buy this for the young man in your life.
the_naptime_reader's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book is that Hill Harper (an actor I'm not really familiar with from CSI: NY) was inspired by the book Letters to a Young Poet and decided to write a book similiar to that for young African American males. He said that the letters were based on questions he's gotten from fans in emails, letters, and when he talks to kids at schools, etc.
That being said I was excited to see someone taking the time to be a positive role model for young men. When I saw this book I thought it would be one that my students would enjoy (I teach at an innner-city 7-12 grade all boys school). I'm not completely convinced. While it was neat that Hill took the time to write these letters all on topics: saving money/debt, relationships/sex, dreams/goals, importance of education, etc. Sometimes the stance seemed like he was trying to show off about how successful he is, more than truly writing from the heart. For example, he would end his letter by essentially saying "I'm here in Hawaii living the good life" or "I'm off to shoot another movie" or "I met a really hot girl and now we're going to hang out". IT also was inscessant name dropping, "I'm off to Jay-z's VMA party" or "I was hanging out wiht Gabrielle Union the other day" etc. etc. Thus the book came off as corny frequently, and I wonder if my students would really connect to what he said. It felt like Harper needed a pat on the back for his ego a lot.
That being said the messages that he was attempting to give to young men, especially that of working hard and working smart, living within your means/saving your money, "staying in the game" (school) were all messages that my students could really benefit from, and on the flipside it is neat to hear this successful African American guy say that to them. Harper is not just an actor he also graduated from Brown University as well as Harvard Law, and frequently stresses the importance of staying in school.
All in all the book isn't going to do any harm, but I wonder would students truly connect.
On one last seperate note his "universe conspiring" to bring you good things when you.... philosophy did not sit well with me either, but I won't even begin to delve in on that one.
That being said I was excited to see someone taking the time to be a positive role model for young men. When I saw this book I thought it would be one that my students would enjoy (I teach at an innner-city 7-12 grade all boys school). I'm not completely convinced. While it was neat that Hill took the time to write these letters all on topics: saving money/debt, relationships/sex, dreams/goals, importance of education, etc. Sometimes the stance seemed like he was trying to show off about how successful he is, more than truly writing from the heart. For example, he would end his letter by essentially saying "I'm here in Hawaii living the good life" or "I'm off to shoot another movie" or "I met a really hot girl and now we're going to hang out". IT also was inscessant name dropping, "I'm off to Jay-z's VMA party" or "I was hanging out wiht Gabrielle Union the other day" etc. etc. Thus the book came off as corny frequently, and I wonder if my students would really connect to what he said. It felt like Harper needed a pat on the back for his ego a lot.
That being said the messages that he was attempting to give to young men, especially that of working hard and working smart, living within your means/saving your money, "staying in the game" (school) were all messages that my students could really benefit from, and on the flipside it is neat to hear this successful African American guy say that to them. Harper is not just an actor he also graduated from Brown University as well as Harvard Law, and frequently stresses the importance of staying in school.
All in all the book isn't going to do any harm, but I wonder would students truly connect.
On one last seperate note his "universe conspiring" to bring you good things when you.... philosophy did not sit well with me either, but I won't even begin to delve in on that one.
bettyboop25's review against another edition
4.0
The lessons taught in this book were good. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five, was because of all the name-dropping that he did. I think the book could have done without that.
bettyboop25's review
4.0
The lessons taught in this book were good. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five, was because of all the name-dropping that he did. I think the book could have done without that.
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