BOOKSHELF

BECOMING Dad: Black men and the Journey to Fatherhood (Longstreet, $22) is a powerful book that recounts the costs of growing up with and without a father, by Leonard Pitts Jr. The author begins with his own life story, sharing how his dad--though he was there--failed to provide him with vital lessons of manhood as the author came of age in a home filled with alcoholism and abuse. Pitts reveals how that slight left him floundering even years later as he struggled in vain to properly tie a necktie without the help of his wife. The stories are poignant and heart-wrenching. Readers take an intimate journey with Pitts and other Black men who reveal how fathers--absent and present--affected their lives.

Strong Men Keep Coming: The Book of African American Men (John Wiley & Sons, $24.95), a book of profiles spanning two centuries of favorite Black male icons and unsung heroes, by Tonya Bolden.

Success Guideposts for African-American Children: A Guide for Parents of Children Ages 0-18 (W. Whorton & Company, $24.95), a guidebook for parents who want to help their children reach academic success, by Will Horton, an educator and entrepreneur. The author laces his strategies with statistics, lists and easy-to-read charts, which make this book a parent-friendly read. He also quotes successful African-Americans like John H. Johnson on the values of staying to task. At the end of the volume, he includes resources and activity sheets to guide and focus the lessons.

The Great Black Jockeys: The Lives and Times of the Men Who Dominated America's First National Sport (Forum/Prima, $25) is a ground-breaking book that adds an important chapter to the history of American sports--the contributions of the Black jockey, by Edward Hotaling. Before baseball became America's national pastime, crowds gathered in fields to watch African-Americans ride to glory on the backs of horses in the country's earliest races. Hotaling tells of slaves and descendants of slaves who found freedom in victory in the first Kentucky Derby and other major competitions--though still were considered property away from the track. His book is important and impressive, a wonderful tribute to the pioneering Black sports heroes--jockeys and trainers--history forgot to mention.

What Black Men Should Do Now: 100 Simple Truths, Ideas and Concepts (Birch Lane Press, $19.95), a collection of life-changing strategies and principles, by K. Thomas Oglesby. In the spirit of the Million Man March, the book offers simple truths and steps--from eating right and healing anger to respecting Black women--Black men can take to enrich and transform their lives.

Vital Grace: The Black Male Dancer (Edition Stemmle) is a powerful series of color photographs and interviews that reflect the beauty of Black male dancers, edited by Duane Cyrus with photographs by Joanne Savio. The book contains valuable commentary from Black veterans--including Geoffrey Holder, Bill T. Jones, Gregory Hines and Dudley Williams--on how they got started, the politics of dance and advice for young hopefuls. The images of Vital Grace, however, are its true gift. The photographs will captivate readers with their energy and elegance.

Blues for All the Changes (William Morrow and Company, $15), a collection of new poetry by one of this country's most powerful voices, Nikki Giovanni. Celebrating her 30th anniversary as a poet, Giovanni writes with grace, wit and raw clarity. Whether commenting on controversial figures such as C. Delores Tucker, reminiscing about legends like Jackie Robinson or celebrating life's ordinary moments, the poet's words pierce our soul.

Abide With Me (Doubleday, $24.95), the final novel in the Invisible Life trilogy, by E. Lynn Harris. The author rounds out his blockbuster series with this inventive book that brings back favorite characters such as John (Basil) Henderson and Nicole Springer, and introduces new ones, including femme fatale, aspiring actress Yancey Harrington Braxton.

Harris returns to his best-selling formula as he weaves plots filled with sensuality, deception, friendship and love.

The Coldest Winter Ever (Pocket Books, $23), an honest tale about the costs of living the fast life, by Sister Souljah. In this debut novel, Souljah explores the experiences of a drug princess whose life changes for the worst after moving from the Brooklyn 'hood where her father is kingpin to a Long Island suburb. Her characters and descriptions of the drag lifestyle are believable and enduring.

Better Than Good: A Black Sailor's War 1943-1945 (Naval Institute Press, $25.95), a memoir of a Black sailor who served on an integrated warship during WWII, by Adolph Newton with Winston Eldridge. With gripping detail, the author shares how he conned his way into the Navy at age 17 to defend the United States only to find racism among the military and within the country when he returned.

The Black Christian Singles Guide to Dating and Sexuality (Zondervan Publishing House, $9.99), a guide for Black singles looking for God-centered principles on managing relationship pressures and finding love, Chris Jackson.