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kwbat12's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful audiobook. This was absolutely the right way to enjoy this book.
ehinrichsenjr's review against another edition
2.0
I bought this book because of the clever title. I'm as white as they come, so I figured it'd be somewhat funny to read this. I didn't realize that it was going to be 90% about somebody I'd never heard of before (I'm familiar with The Onion, just don't read it a lot). While the book did have some funny moments, most came within the first chapter. The rest of the time was devoted to Thurston describing his childhood, schooling and his experiences being black. The chapter on when he and the other people he interviewed discussed when they realized being black was being different than being white was very interesting too. But if you're not a fan of his writing or you're just looking for a good novel on how to increase your blackness, look elsewhere.
kateynoel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
kdaigh's review against another edition
4.0
A lighthearted but insightful take on race in the United States. I really enjoyed this book because it brought a lot of my other readings together, helping to form the big picture in my mind.
poenaestante's review against another edition
5.0
This book should be required reading for anyone who is black, wants to be black, is unsure if they are black, knows at least one black person, thinks they know black people, or simply just has heard of black people. Baratunde spits the real so fast and funny that I sometimes had to gasp that someone had put the hard truth down in black and white without the paper burning up! I swear I am going to keep the book at my desk just to revisit the How to Be The Black Employee chapter and remind myself why I am really there! Good Lord, being black is a full-time job in itself. Please tell me if someone gives him money to make this into an instructional film!
cinnachick's review against another edition
5.0
I am loving this book so far. If nothing else, the conversations, smirks, giggles, and very confused looks I've gotten while reading this book in public have been great. Having an older African American woman point at the book, smirk and say "Good luck with that!" was a highlight of my week. And then just a few days later an older African American gentleman went on a rant to me about "in his day" black people were trying to be white and now there were too many white folks trying to act black, but you have to be born black, you can't become black. And when I explained that it was humorous social commentary intended to discuss subtle or latent racism, he scoffed even louder and told me "of course y'all take that from a funny black guy, if he was angry y'all would ignore him and run away from him." I agreed that he was likely right, but he continued to rant in a very hilarious way about how white people have incredibly bizarre impressions of race and how he just doesn't get "you people". But if you are an even mildly-aware white person I highly recommend this book just to read the occasional line that will make your eyes go wide and you'll think "Oh my GAWD! I think I've done that before!" It's all about persepective, and Baratunde creates a great chance to address this persepctive.
sujata's review against another edition
4.0
Fan of his writing and point of view. Very delayed on reading this book.