Reviews

Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice by Yusef Salaam

senquezada29's review against another edition

3.0

A member of the Central Park 5. I read this book after seeing him just get elected to the New York City Council. It's a reflective book about his experience after his wrongful conviction and term of incarceration and how he used his faith, and familial support to survive it all.

crazylady_usmc's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

ccneary's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

hannahtufte's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

I had the privilege of hearing Yusef speak at a conference last year, so I found it fitting to listen to the audio book around the same time as the conference this year. Yusef illustrates how negative stereotypes that has driven mass incarceration, and the danger of ignorance in society that has stripped humanity from young black men. The captivating storytelling has a overarching positive message about perseverance and resilience.

thoughtsfromtheafro's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

The personal perspective and experience from one of the Exonerated / Central Park Five. 

A truly inspiring book by what is clearly a healed human (despite his life experiences). 

ghannig's review against another edition

4.0

A movingly personal account revealing the profound affects produced by the systemic racism baked into our justice process.

leslie_j_r's review

reflective slow-paced

3.0

muse692's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

mybestfriendisabook's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

after finishing the When They See Us series, which was so so well done and moving, and seeing that Yusef was a published author, i had to check out his work and was glad to see he wrote a memoir! i picked it up the next day. it was great to continue the story through one of the actual people, to learn about Yusef as a person before and after being incarcerated. it takes a lot to remain that hopeful throughout your entire life. he emphasizes trusting that you have a purpose despite whatever obstacles you are given and how the prison complex system is built to destroy Black bodies, a modern day cotton field.

it was very heartwarming to see the photos he included. it made me happy to see him happy. my favorite chapter was the one on meeting his wife and his struggles with romantic relationships after being released. 

hannahsuemiller's review against another edition

5.0

an achingly powerful memoir full of hope, love, and moving insights. my favorite part of this is that it is not simply a story about his jail time/exoneration- yusef paints a portrait so that we can truly see him and see ourselves in his shoes. of course the trial, the jail time, the exoneration are discussed and it is very powerful to hear his personal account. but beyond that, we are given insight into his childhood, his mother, his relationships, his faith, all of the things that paint a complete portrait of a man who has conquered so much and come out on top. yusef is a master of words, i cannot recommend this book enough!!!