BOOKSHELF. - Review - book review

Ebony, April, 2001

A collection of essays by a wide array of Black luminaries, How to Make Black America Better: Leading African-Americans Speak Out, (Doubleday, $21), edited by Tavis Smiley, offers a variety of opinions about ways in which Black America can collectively improve its lot. Exploring topics such as technology, education, spirituality and accountability, each author challenges the reader to become master of his or her own destiny. It is an important book with powerful strategies for changing the direction of Black America.

In the second of his two-volume treatise on American racism and the twisted interpretations of the Bible used to justify it, Dr. Frederick K.C. Price delves deeply into the Gospel and the annals of history to explore how racism became so firmly entrenched in the American church. Race, Religion & Racism, Volume 2 (Faith One, $23.95) looks at American attitudes toward race from slavery to contemporary times, focusing on some of the influential personalities who helped propagate racist stereotypes.

A celebration of Black love and desire, Brown Sugar (Plume, $13) is an anthology of 18 sensuous stories penned by a collection of well-known and emerging African-American writers. The tales cover the full spectrum of Black ardor and passion, providing a breathtaking look into Black sexuality and sensuality.

Daystar Guide to Colleges for African American Students: What You Need to Know to Choose the Right College (Simon & Schuster, $20), a comprehensive guide to choosing the right college, by Thomas LaVeist and the staff of Daystar Educational Research. Geared to meet the needs of Black students, the book offers valuable information such as a listing of the 100 top schools for Blacks and including information on Black campus life at colleges and universities (both historically Black and majority White institutions) across the country.

Finding Fish (William Morrow, $25) by Antwone Quenton Fisher is an inspiring memoir that traces Fisher's incredible life journey. Born in prison, he survived homelessness, abuse and abandonment before enlisting in the Navy and ultimately becoming a top Hollywood screenwriter.

Drawing from historical and contemporary sources, cultural critic and feminist theorist bell hooks looks at the transformative power of love in Salvation: Black People and Love (William Morrow, $22). It is an exploration of the power of love--in all its forms--to heal the nation's wounds and salve the souls of Black folks.

Committed to the Image: Contemporary Black Photographers (Merrell Publishers, $39.95) features the work of 94 African-American photographers who are currently using their cameras to poignantly chronicle and explore the many facets of Black life.

Prime Time Blues: African Americans on Network Television (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, $27) is a comprehensive look at the history of Blacks on network television. Author Donald Bogle takes us on a time-ride through Black images on television, from Amos 'N Andy to modern programs such as The Steve Harvey Show.

Black Books Galore! Guide To Great African-American Books About Girls and Black Books Galore! Guide To Great African American Books About Boys (John Wiley & Sons, $15.95 each), these companion books by Donna Rand and Toni Trent Parker are important resource tools for parents, teachers and librarians in search of books that contain positive Black images and characters that will inspire young readers.

Black Roots: A Beginner's guide to tracing the African-American Family Tree (Fireside, $16), a step-by-step resource book on how to investigate your family's roots, by Tony Burroughs. Burroughs, who traced his own family back seven generations, describes how to mine through records, analyze data, interview family members and navigate the twists and turns of slavery to chart your family tree.

Hidden Heroism: Black Soldiers in America's Wars (Westview, $25), an exploration of Black participation in U.S. wars, by Robert B. Edgerton. The author shares the plight of Black military personnel who served courageously in this country's wars and came home to racism and in some cases, segregation and derision.

TINA ANDREWS

Actress, author, screenwriter (Sally Hemings: An American Scandal)

What I read:

Talk To/Me: Listening Between The Lines by playwright Anna Deavere Smith

What I thought: "I have always been intrigued by the way Anna interviews people, whom she refers to as `American characters,' then interprets and mimics their personalities, language and nuances in her one-woman shows. This book gives you rare insights into her working methodology and the result is nothing short of fascinating."