You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This is a superb collection of some of Ta-Nehisi Coates's Atlantic essays, eight of which were chosen to reflect the Obama years. Coates's writes multiple short, reflective, mini-autobiographical essays to link the essays together and contextualize them, revealing his own development as a writer and a man determined to tell what he understands as the truth about America and race. A great, thoughtful, challenging set of writings, polished off with a barn-burner of an epilogue on President Trump. Absolutely worth reading; if this blurb does persuade you, reading my longer thoughts about it here.
There are so many things I love about this book, including: getting to see the inside of one of the Obama's parties; listening to large parts of Coates' learning, processing, and writing processes; feeling hope despite deeply realizing, that yes, not within our lifetimes will the detrimental story of racism be undone; understanding/feeling relief, that no we are not crazy, this shit is really happening regarding racism; and that yes, reparations (!).
And there is so much more. Coates has backed his work up with diligent fact checking and a transference of history, the stuff that we don't see in our typical textbooks, and also much of which is covered up, swept under the rug, wrapped in euphemism, straight up lies, and sociological gaslighting. This book has opened my eyes a lot, and it is wrought with the kind of criticism and understanding necessary to be able to speak honestly about what racism is, and why it is so difficult to extricate ourselves from it. We cannot just say it is so. We do not live in a post-racial world. The work is not yet done. Period.
I feel that we all need to do the kind of work that Coates has, and I appreciate that he is not talking down to his readers, ever, nor telling them how to live. He tells us about some who have done this like Bill Cosby, and even our former president Obama.
Coates is honest, always, even in the presence of those in power. I have a very deep respect for this, as well as his knack for keeping his curiosity intact, and for not cowering away from what happens when lots of eyes begin to see your work, and to become curious about it, interacting with it in a way that may or may not have been intentioned. And, it feels like magic that this honesty also led Coates to many places in which he has been allowed access. He relates a sense of wonder, which is appropriate, and which I can relate to as a working writer who does not expect my voice to go far. Coates reminds what a writer is, what the work is, how we work despite whatever odds.
Coates is, in journalistic fashion, even when utilizing the medium of essay, relaying the information to us in such a way that we can take it in, think about it for ourselves, and do with it what we will.
Looking back at articles/essays with new understanding and insights, Coates adds deepening layers to what he has published before. I have seen other compilations of authors' essays, and I feel that Coates has done something different here. He isn't just rehashing, but has relayed a sense of growth, has been transparent in his process, even allowing us to see some of the places in which he feels he has changed his mind when new understanding filtered in.
I wish that I hadn't read this via audiobook. Or, I suppose I should say, I intend to read this book again, letting the words of a paper copy go before my eyes, taking notes, and expanding from there.
And there is so much more. Coates has backed his work up with diligent fact checking and a transference of history, the stuff that we don't see in our typical textbooks, and also much of which is covered up, swept under the rug, wrapped in euphemism, straight up lies, and sociological gaslighting. This book has opened my eyes a lot, and it is wrought with the kind of criticism and understanding necessary to be able to speak honestly about what racism is, and why it is so difficult to extricate ourselves from it. We cannot just say it is so. We do not live in a post-racial world. The work is not yet done. Period.
I feel that we all need to do the kind of work that Coates has, and I appreciate that he is not talking down to his readers, ever, nor telling them how to live. He tells us about some who have done this like Bill Cosby, and even our former president Obama.
Coates is honest, always, even in the presence of those in power. I have a very deep respect for this, as well as his knack for keeping his curiosity intact, and for not cowering away from what happens when lots of eyes begin to see your work, and to become curious about it, interacting with it in a way that may or may not have been intentioned. And, it feels like magic that this honesty also led Coates to many places in which he has been allowed access. He relates a sense of wonder, which is appropriate, and which I can relate to as a working writer who does not expect my voice to go far. Coates reminds what a writer is, what the work is, how we work despite whatever odds.
Coates is, in journalistic fashion, even when utilizing the medium of essay, relaying the information to us in such a way that we can take it in, think about it for ourselves, and do with it what we will.
Looking back at articles/essays with new understanding and insights, Coates adds deepening layers to what he has published before. I have seen other compilations of authors' essays, and I feel that Coates has done something different here. He isn't just rehashing, but has relayed a sense of growth, has been transparent in his process, even allowing us to see some of the places in which he feels he has changed his mind when new understanding filtered in.
I wish that I hadn't read this via audiobook. Or, I suppose I should say, I intend to read this book again, letting the words of a paper copy go before my eyes, taking notes, and expanding from there.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
The Case for Reparations, My President was Black, and the Epilogue bumped this book up to 5 stars. Because the main portions of the book were articles, portions do become repetitious. What makes Coates one of the best writers of our time is how he conveys the hard, naked truth in hard hitting but beautiful language. It is what, perhaps, we always knew but refused to acknowledge and certainly wouldn’t say. It is, however, exactly what needs to be said and heard. It is hard but necessary reading and I’m grateful for his voice.
This is a powerful and timely book. The last three essays are the best and most worth reading. "The First White President" is crucial in its grounding of Trump's election in racism and white supremacy.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
That's a baaaaaaaad man.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I really enjoyed most of these essays and I especially liked the structure including the self-reflective notes preceding each essay. There was a good balance of reverential nostalgia for the Obama era with apt criticism of his policies and approaches. As you might expect, some of his analysis already seems out of date in light of a post second term Trump presidency (especially as it relates to Trumps appeal and ascendance to power).
Such a powerful read. I found the structure of "blog post" and essay absolutely riveting, providing both reflection and "real-time" insights. I hadn't read a book like this but it was wonderful to follow Coates through his writing progressions and the final essays were absolutely shattering for me...I realize they are shattering for me only because I am a cis-white female who has benefited from the privileges of white supremacy but I thank Coates for calling out my blindspots and self-pity out for what they are... privilege. If the topic of race in America is something you are interested in knowing more about and are willing to engage a flushed out and unapologetic perspective then this book should be in your repertoire. If you prefer safety and comfort (white sisters and brothers I'm talking to you) then this book will be your downfall and I think it even more imperative that you read it.