BOOKSHELF. - Gabriel G. Adeleye - Kofi Acquah-Dadzie - Robert Fleming - Bernice L. McFadden - Yolanda Joe - Quincy Troupe - Kristin Clark Taylor - Andrea Young - Review - Brief Article - book review

Ebony, May, 2000

WHERE would we be without our mothers? May is the time we pay homage to the incredible Sisters who gave us lessons in life and love. From the sheroes who raised us to the superwomen such as Mary McLeod Bethune, Harriet Tubman and Barbara Jordan who led our nation to greatness, Black America has drawn power from their examples. This month, we salute their strength with two titles that speak to the indomitable spirit of Black mothers.

Life Lessons My Mother Taught Me: Universal Values from Extraordinary Times (Penguin Putnam Inc., $19.95), a touching biography of Jean Young, mother, educator, community activist and wife of former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, by her daughter Andrea Young. Unlike some profiles which detail the strains of mother-daughter bonds, this book celebrates the strength of a mother passing on wisdom. We journey through the principles which Jean Young embraced, everything from simplicity in dress and makeup to building self-esteem, preserving the sanctity of marriage, standing up for justice and living a life of service, guideposts not only for her author-daughter but for anyone who reads her words. It's a loving tribute, full of sound lessons and lasting images.

Black Mothers: Songs of Praise & Celebration (Doubleday, $24.95), a commemoration of the many ways Black mothers shape our lives, by Kristin Clark Taylor. The author begins with memories of her own mother--her beauty, her tenderness, her faith. With each chapter, she recounts another role her mother and countless others play in our lives as protector, disciplinarian, "giver of life." She blends quotes, letters, photographs culled from family scrapbooks and United States archives and personal testimonies to create a lyrical portrait of the many faces worn by mama.

miles and me (University of California Press, $19.95), a memoir of the friendship between Miles Davis and poet Quincy Troupe, by Quincy Troupe. First as a fan and later as a collaborator on his autobiography, the author became acquainted with Davis. He draws on both perspectives as he introduces us to the moody genius of the jazz trumpeter and paints a candid portrait--full of imperfections and color--that gives us a rare window into Davis' world. Along with sharing his creative persona, the author lets us glimpse the man behind the myth--a temperamental East Saint Louis native who loved cooking and walking Manhattan streets. The book also chronicles how Davis influenced not only Troupe's artistic development but that of generations.

This Just In ... (Doubleday, $23.95), a novel about five women's experiences--four Black, one White--navigating the exciting, take-no-prisoners world of big-city broadcast news, by Yolanda Joe. The author, herself a former newswriter, uses her experience to create a realistic plot centered on the complexities of color and race at a Chicago station. In her trademark style, Joe also weaves in themes of friendship, family and love to create a story that entertains and empowers.

Sugar (Dutton, $22.95), a story that transports us into the lives of two Black women living in 1950s small-town Arkansas--one a prostitute, the other a churchgoing wife and mother--whose lives become inextricably intertwined, by Bernice L. McFadden. The author's debut novel sings with unforgettable images, unique characters and a moving storyline. It's a haunting story that keeps the pages turning until the end.

The African American Writers Handbook: How To Get in Print and Stay in Print (One World, $12), a guide on breaking into the publishing world, by Robert Fleming. The book includes tips on submitting proposals, writing queries, finding an agent and promoting yourself.

World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers (Bolchazy-Carducci, $29.95), a resource book for people who want a better understanding of the foreign words and phrases that pepper our world, by Gabriel G. Adeleye with Kofi Acquah-Dadzie.