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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads!
Not having done much research beforehand, I was unaware that this book is a collection of eight of Coates’s previously published essays, with introductions for each and an epilogue written since the election. From my perspective this didn’t matter much since I hadn’t read them before; some of them are a little dated, especially the one about Bill Cosby.
I had trouble getting through the book, though, because it is rather a tome with dense and smart writing, but it’s all excellent from a self-improvement perspective, especially to me as a white person. I wish I’d had the essay about the Civil War to read when I was studying US history as a high schooler.
Coates and I have a certain fundamental similarity - we both believe that racism in the US is not a bug but a feature. It’s not an unfortunate side effect of our history; it IS our history. To me this has been a recent realization; to Coates and black folks it’s a lifetime of knowledge.
Not having done much research beforehand, I was unaware that this book is a collection of eight of Coates’s previously published essays, with introductions for each and an epilogue written since the election. From my perspective this didn’t matter much since I hadn’t read them before; some of them are a little dated, especially the one about Bill Cosby.
I had trouble getting through the book, though, because it is rather a tome with dense and smart writing, but it’s all excellent from a self-improvement perspective, especially to me as a white person. I wish I’d had the essay about the Civil War to read when I was studying US history as a high schooler.
Coates and I have a certain fundamental similarity - we both believe that racism in the US is not a bug but a feature. It’s not an unfortunate side effect of our history; it IS our history. To me this has been a recent realization; to Coates and black folks it’s a lifetime of knowledge.
I had read a number of these features and essays when they first appeared in the Atlantic however when read together with Coates present-day retrospective commentary it makes for a powerful analysis of the chapter of the great American tragedy in which we currently find ourselves. Especially important are the reminders that white liberals are very much complicit in the crime of plunder and white supremacy. I learned more about Coates personal journey and aspects of Obama’s legacy I had previously overlooked including the actions of the justice department in the defense of civil rights. Actions that are now being systematically dismantled. For what? The preservation of whiteness and its power. How many generations will it take to establish a policy of reparations and to reinvent a just and equitable America? I pray my daughter will live to see that day.
I read many of these essays when they were published, but they read completely differently when presented as a curated memoir of TNC's intellectual evolution and the development of his extraordinary powers as a writer. His biographical notes are often worth the price of admission. It also made me angry to think of the controversy this book has engendered when it is clear that critics have not read a word of the book beyond the title. No critic that I've seen has grappled with TNC's arguments or his impressive marshaling of empirical data. (Indeed, for all the credit he's received as a wordsmith, I think his reputation as a researcher and empiricist is sadly unappreciated.) Anyway, worth reading and re-reading.
well written, a difficult read if you've been ignorant of the issues raised by the author
*4.5 stars*
This was excellently done. I had read quite a few of these essays at the time of their publication, but what really made this for me was Coates's analysis of and reflections on his own previous writings that preceded each essay in this collection. Also, Coates just knows how to craft a sentence. This really shows how beautifully written nonfiction can be. And the subject matter is, sadly, very timely.
This was excellently done. I had read quite a few of these essays at the time of their publication, but what really made this for me was Coates's analysis of and reflections on his own previous writings that preceded each essay in this collection. Also, Coates just knows how to craft a sentence. This really shows how beautifully written nonfiction can be. And the subject matter is, sadly, very timely.
I worried reading this book now may feel "too soon". And it did, a bit, especially the epilogue. I could not have read this at any point during the last 4 years. Even now, though it has passed, the 4 years following Obama's presidency is a chapter in our history that we cannot un-write. We can't un-ring that bell, or its repercussions that will continue to echo through our society. And these essays, and their look back on Obama's presidency is extremely bittersweet. Both because I've miss him, and because in the intervening years-and the distance afforded-it's easier now to see the flaws that were not apparent at the time, and the lifting of rose-colored glasses is never without its pain.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an incredible writer, and his perspective from having been a White House writer during Obama's years is absolutely invaluable. I found each of essays captivating and informative, though the length of each on audio was a bit daunting. The epilogue dealing with the 2016 election and its results especially packed a punch; a bruise that has not yet healed, if it ever will.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an incredible writer, and his perspective from having been a White House writer during Obama's years is absolutely invaluable. I found each of essays captivating and informative, though the length of each on audio was a bit daunting. The epilogue dealing with the 2016 election and its results especially packed a punch; a bruise that has not yet healed, if it ever will.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
This is a series of essays from previous work by Ta-Nehisi Coated, interspersed with reflections on his life, feelings and values at the time of writing them. It's very interesting but I wouldn't pick it up expecting to read one cohesive book. The style can make it less gripping than a book that was specific written to be a book.
Coates is just so, so brilliant. I usually find the monicker of public intellectual silly, but he fits the bill. He has the rare ability to speak truth and knowledge to the masses. He can digest a tremendous amount of academic information (history and law and sociology and politics) and synthesize it into beautiful, devastating, accessible, didactic essays. The essays are organized chronologically, which allow us to track his progress and appreciate his experimentation as a writer. The writing get progressively better, culminating in two masterpieces.
honestly, I don't really feel comfortable reviewing this book. as a white girl from portugal, my opinions on America's engraved racism is pretty much useless. but I do love Coates writing. he's so incredibly intelligent. he can express himself so well and elequently, exploring America's mentality in a mostly objective way, yet beautifully. the essays themselves were extremely well supported by the preludes and I learned a great deal.
Coates is just fascinating!
Coates is just fascinating!
I wish I could tell you that this book is a jubilation of Obama's years.
I wish I could tell you that the rift in the racial relations between Americans during those years somewhat healed.
But I would be lying.
I wish I could tell you that the rift in the racial relations between Americans during those years somewhat healed.
But I would be lying.