– narrated (audio book) by Ta-Nehisi Coates
publisher: Penguin Random House (audiobook version, 2018)
Anthony’s FB Master Reading List (WritePlus)
What I learned from this book
Coates offers to us a deep understanding of what it is like to be living as an American through the eyes of a much different viewpoint than many are accustomed to hearing – that of the African-American male . It is an eye-opening discourse on the “flip” side of the American dream and its historical remembrances – as well as many other accounts of the events that took place in this country over the past 400+ years. It really offers a brand new angle for the American public in how we might finally want to address both the answers (and new questions going forward) concerning our legacy.
What I liked about this book
It is a sharply-witted, wake-up call containing more than a few ‘shots across the bow’ that many Americans will find stunning and difficult to digest. That said, it also offers answers to so many questions that have been chalked up to much shallower explanations and inaccurate guesses as to some of our “social conditions.” One shining example is: for those of us who thought America should be considered ‘post-racial’ after eight years of hosting one African-American president (Barack Obama) in the White House, Coates presents a convincing case of the polar-opposite viewpoint; drawing from his knowledge of James Baldwin and others. Coates suggests how we can choose to sincerely address our relationships with race (and each other) going forward – or not. It is a testament to how distant issues can become when virtually ignored for so many centuries. He is calling us out when we label the simple passage of time erroneously as “progress.” He informs us that we indeed have a long way to go.
What I disliked about this book
There is very little for me to dislike about this book. It is equal parts thoughtful, unique, expressive – and also uncomfortable. Coates’ forthrightness is one good reason to explain why this book has been touted with such an array of awards and other literary recognition. In my opinion, for many educational reasons, it is arguably “one for the ages!”
Whom would I recommend to read this book
I understand how important it is to a large swath of America to feel pride and nostalgia concerning America’s history. However, what Coates does is he tries to share with us that it is much more important is to check ourselves to ensure that the history we are told (and that ultimately we pass on to the next generation) is factually accurate and balanced. Without it, he tells us we are essentially just living in a 330 million-person fantasy world of, well, ‘fake news …’
Your thoughts?
-A.N.