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A review by edsantiago
Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America by Paul Tough
5.0
WHY do I keep reading books like these?? Do I really need more evidence that early intervention is crucial for childhood development? More heartbreaking anecdotes about the lost ones, the older kids who, despite everyone’s best intentions including their own, will simply never catch up? More recognition of the power of dedicated individuals in shaping lives? (Spoiler alert: yes, I guess I did, and quite possibly so do you).
This is a remarkable, powerful book. Mainly it’s a history (through 2007) of the Harlem Children’s Zone, a bold initiative to provide “escape velocity” to inner-city children; to launch them on a trajectory that includes college, life and work skills, and, perhaps for some, returning back to set new examples in their home communities; to plant new seeds. Into this Paul Tough weaves the personal history of Geoffrey Canada, the Zone’s larger-than-life creator and driver; vignettes from the lives of many of those in the Zone; a surprising amount of science, policy, research, best-practices, and frank acknowledgment of areas of uncertainty. Much of the latter requires uncomfortable discussion of racial issues, discussion that is often difficult to attain in the US. One researcher cited by Tough puts it eloquently: “I don’t see a way to get the attention of the black community, to the degree that I think we need their attention, without having some discourse that is racially conscious.” He allowed himself a half smile. “I just wish I could do it in a way that the white community couldn’t listen in.”
What pushes the book into five-star territory is Tough’s credibility: much as he admires the central figures in his book, he’s no hagiographer; there are no saints here. Heroes aplenty, and Tough treats them with respect that’s greater and more meaningful than adulation. This made the book feel honest, believable. There’s no triumphant ending, no fanfare at the end. Just... a lot of pain. Many successes, all of which require constant attention and maintenance. Some losses. Heartwrenching decisions. Recognitions of mistakes. Resolve. This book hits hard.
This is a remarkable, powerful book. Mainly it’s a history (through 2007) of the Harlem Children’s Zone, a bold initiative to provide “escape velocity” to inner-city children; to launch them on a trajectory that includes college, life and work skills, and, perhaps for some, returning back to set new examples in their home communities; to plant new seeds. Into this Paul Tough weaves the personal history of Geoffrey Canada, the Zone’s larger-than-life creator and driver; vignettes from the lives of many of those in the Zone; a surprising amount of science, policy, research, best-practices, and frank acknowledgment of areas of uncertainty. Much of the latter requires uncomfortable discussion of racial issues, discussion that is often difficult to attain in the US. One researcher cited by Tough puts it eloquently: “I don’t see a way to get the attention of the black community, to the degree that I think we need their attention, without having some discourse that is racially conscious.” He allowed himself a half smile. “I just wish I could do it in a way that the white community couldn’t listen in.”
What pushes the book into five-star territory is Tough’s credibility: much as he admires the central figures in his book, he’s no hagiographer; there are no saints here. Heroes aplenty, and Tough treats them with respect that’s greater and more meaningful than adulation. This made the book feel honest, believable. There’s no triumphant ending, no fanfare at the end. Just... a lot of pain. Many successes, all of which require constant attention and maintenance. Some losses. Heartwrenching decisions. Recognitions of mistakes. Resolve. This book hits hard.