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farawayeyes4's review against another edition
4.0
Parks presents a clear picture that is as fresh and relevant now as the time period he describes in the 1930s/40s. Racism, bigotry, and the madness that surrounds both are examined in depth and exposed for their evil. The poverty that cripples so much of our minority communities is explored in vivid and heartbreaking language. Anyone who is trying to understand where we've been on these issues and where we are now and where we should be going should read this text carefully. For all the progress made since then, we still have so far to go.
jasondcrane's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this memoir, written at mid-life and covering the early years of his varied career, it's fairly astonishing that we even know the name Gordon Parks, let alone that he was a towering figure of the 20th century. This book is a harrowing story of racism and poverty and homelessness, but it is also a tale of persistence and hope and luck and, at least in some fashion, triumph.
glennmiller5309's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful edition of Parks' memoir, covering Parks' childhood and young adult years. This volume should be looked at as a memoir, part 1, ending with Parks' involvement in World War II as a photojournalist documenting Black members of the Air Force. The book's last page comes well before Parks became a staff photographer for Vogue, Glamour, and, most famously, Life magazines -- and certainly before he became a Hollywood director. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful chronicle of Parks' awakening to the racial discrimination and violence within American society, a critical theme that instructed and directed Parks' later professional and personal life.
ssoto17's review against another edition
4.0
If you have no idea who Gordon Parks is this is the perfect biography to get an insight into his life and how he learned photography. It was an adventure from start to finish where he touched base on the struggles of poverty and racism in the world.
ben_schemel's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An inspiring autobiographical read about Parks’ early years and the tools he used to fight against all the things he disliked about 20th century America - poverty, racism and inequality. Great memoir.
libmeh's review
4.0
Well, this is indeed a very powerful book about racism in America. I highly recommend it.
sarahjsnider's review against another edition
4.0
Gordon Parks had a very interesting life--composer, photographer, director, CCC worker, brothel piano player--but his struggles as a black man in the early 20th century made the greatest impact on me. The title alludes to the fact that he chose his talent, his intelligence, and his camera as weapons against poverty and used his anger to propel his artistic goals forward. Although Parks lived in the Twin Cities as a young man, the local color was limited--I'm sure that The Lowry restaurant where he bussed tables was very close to where I live, but I don't know where. Good choice by One Minneapolis One Read.
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