Ebony Bookshelf - Brief Article

Ebony, May, 1999 by Marita Golden

THE History of Black Business in America: Capitalism, Race, Entrepreneurship (MacMillan Library Reference, $45) is a study of Black businesses in America from the hair-care enterprise of Madame C.J. Walker to the publishing genius of Robert Abbott and John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Co., by Juliet E. K. Walker. The book tackles new ground as it pays tribute to little-known Black entrepreneurs while heralding the masters.

Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems (W.W. Norton & Company, $24.95) is a poignant group of essays discussing concerns in the Black community, ranging from the media to the Internet to health to criminal justice from some of this country's most provocative thinkers, edited by Walter Mosley, Manthia Diawara, Clyde Taylor and Regina Austin. The book is important and impressive, full of solutions on ways to address the problems of out world.

Finding a Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical Identity (Random House, $25), an extensive guide to tracing your family tree sprinkled with personal stories, historical information and examples of documents and records used in roots-finding ventures, by Dec Parmer Woodtor, Ph.D. It's a valuable reference book that offers clues for aspiring genealogists and people hungry for knowledge of their heritage.

The Complete African-American Baby Cheeklist (Avon Books, $12), a comprehensive guide that covers everything from pregnancy do's and don'ts to choosing a name to breast-feeding and child-care, by Elyse Zorn Karlin and Daisy Spier with Diane Williams. It's an easy-to-understand book that's full of helpful information and cheeklists.

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra (Hyperion Books for Children, $15.95), a lush children's book full of colorful words and images that acquaint a new generation of readers with an American musical legend, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

The Princeton Review: African-American Students' Guide to College (Random House, $17.95), an important handbook for young African-Americans yearning for a survey of the nation's colleges, by Marisa Parham with Manie Barron. This book includes valuable information on choosing a college and financing your education and gives an overview on what to expect academically and socially once you arrive. The authors also list which universities offer organizations and services that eater to Black students as well as campus racial statistics.

50 Black Women Who Changed America (Birch Lane Press, $24.95), a collection of short biographies on historical and contemporary sheroes, by Amy Alexander.

On the Bus with Rosa Parks (W.W. Norton & Company, $21), a collection of poetry, by former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove.

Running for Dummies (IDG Books Worldwide, $19.99), an easy-to-follow guide book for the beginning runner or for athletes looking to polish their game, by Florence (Flo-Jo) Griffith Joyner and John Hanc.

The Wedding (Orchard Books, $16.95), a children's book, written by Angela Johnson with pictures by David Soman.

Sankofa: Stories of Power, Hope, and Joy (African American Images, $14.95), a treasury of Christian and Afrocentric stories, by Jawanza Kunjufu.

Natural Health for African Americans (Warner Books, $14.99), a guide to natural remedies for common illnesses and ways to live healthy, by Marcellus A. Walker, M.D., and Kenneth B. Singleton, M.D.

Great Books for African-American Children (Plume, $12.95), a guide to books for Black children, broken into age-appropriate sections, complete with mini-summaries and discussion questions, by Pamela Toussaint.

Ghetto Supastar (Pocket Books, $6.50), a novel, by Prakazrel (Pras) Michel with kris ex.

Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio (Temple University Press, $22.95), a history of Black radio from the age of Jim Crow to contemporary times, by William Barlow.

The Intuitionist (Anchor Books, $19.95), a novel, by Colson Whitehead.

The Hairston's: An American Family in Black and White (St. Martin's Press, $24.95), a historical look at the roots of a Black American family, by Henry Wiencek.

Right Here, Right Now (Simon & Schuster, $23), a novel, by Trey Ellis.

Marita Golden

Author of four novels, including The Edge of Heaven and books such as A Miracle Every Day: Triumph and Transformation in the Lives of Single Mothers

Last book I read:

The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat

What I thought: "It was a powerful and painful, human and exquisite rendering of the

oppression of the Haitian people. I'd strongly recommend it."