Ran across this while idly browsing through fellow member parnell's "In the Library" book list. Read a few comments about this book and became curious about its contents (I've had a habit of being super-organized since childhood, but I'm still hoping to read something that can help me improve)....

I've read comments both praising and condeming what Mr. Cosby says about the state of the African-American community in this book, so I'm anxious to form my own opinion, but my main reason for wanting to read this book is that I applaude anyone willing to take a proactive approach towards the problems our society faces and I've heard that Mr. Cosby offers practrical advice throughout this book.

I found the first two chapters hard to follow, but then the book really picks up and offers some very insightful observations; one of my favorites is how parents "...struggle to instill in their children some private sense of honor or dignity which will help the child to survive... in spite of the insults, the indifferences, and the cruelty they (the parents) are certain to encounter in their working day". I'm new to James Baldwin but will be adding "Notes of a Native Son" to my collection next.

I've known about this book for a while but didn't make time to pick it up until this past Christmas - now I'm glad I bought it and regret putting it off for so long. I'm not close to finishing it but am very impressed with what I've read so far.

I read this entire book while visiting my uncle and am glad I took time to read it - very interesting and truthful description of what some men put their women through.