Rating: 
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I am a 20 year old college student and only accidentally came across "A Taste of Power" while looking for the autobiography of the much more recognized Angela Davis. The book was incredible to say the least. Though only a small segment of the book discussed sexism in the party, the message was overwhelming. Male chauvinistic attitudes, to a large extent, destroyed the party. Elaine, though seemingly strong-minded, also struggles with the self-worth issues that are so common amongst black women. She tried hard to fit into the schema of black womanhood that others (whites, her mother, black men) had created for her. She moves quickly through the ranks of the party, experiencing a taste of power, but in the end she wonders if she lost herself. READ IT!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Biographical Read
Review: I enjoyed Elaine Brown's book "A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's story was by far the most engaging read in terms of an autobiography that I have ever encountered. I was totally drawn in by the author's life experiences and strength. She gained in grace as one gains in the hardships of life.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Biographical Read
Review: I enjoyed Elaine Brown's book "A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's story was by far the most engaging read in terms of an autobiography that I have ever encountered. I was totally drawn in by the author's life experiences and strength. She gained in grace as one gains in the hardships of life.
Rating:
Summary: Elaine Brown - The Forgotten Comrade
Review: I had to read this book for a Women's History Class, and I am so glad. I now have a better understanding of what the Black Panther Party was all about, the in's and out's. Another reader commented that Elaine "slept her way to the top" but I don't agree. Yes, she had many lovers, but you have to look at the reason why: Where was her dad? She has alot of misplaced "love" and searches everywhere for it. But that is not the purpose of the book. Part of being a female Panther was to "oblige" the male Panthers that were doing what they were supposed to. Also, during the time the book speaks of, the sexual values we have today did not exist. The struggle for racial AND gender equality is not over. She was one of the few people who actually FOUGHT for it. Elaine: Wherever you are - I commend you.
Rating: 
Summary: A woman's life in the Black Panther movement
Review: I liked this book. Elaine Brown was incredibly honest in her writing, especially when she wrote about her sexuality. Most of us would have omitted certain incidents that she included--getting lots of money after a night with a rich donor, getting beat up by a lover, sleeping with her friend's husband--yet it makes her story very human because it expresses the complexity of human interactions. Her mistakes helped me to identify with her, though I am not African American. She was very vulnerable in her relationships with men, even though she was the head of the Black Panther Party. The Party gave Brown the opportunity to work toward correcting social injustices. But the environment was filled with guns and violence directed both inward and outward, as well as much sexual exploitation. At the end, I was happy when she flew away from her Panther life because she eventually feared for her life and she had begun to incorporate some of the violence of the male Panthers in her actions. Yet she also accomplished much good through her association. Elaine Brown has many talents to give the world and I hope that she is continuing to work towards the goals that attracted her to the Panthers in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration to all women who have struggled
Review: I originally read this book in my senior year of high school and i became hooked. I still read it today for strenth and inspriation. Elaine Brown has opened her mouth and told us her experience of this institution, and let me tell you, it is so refreshing to hear a different,female approach to the Panther Revolution, not the "we-shall-overcome-no-matter-what" side, but the ugly, scary,emotional, real side of the lessons she learned from being a major part of this party, and also what she had to endure to get there. I will give no secrets away from this book, all I will say is that there are strong women and there are women of strength. She may not have started out as either one, but by the end, she, and many others became and helped define what it is to be a strong woman and be a woman of strentgth. This book will shock you, and inspire you to do your best in this world at whatever it is you choose to do durring your existence.
Rating:
Summary: AN INCREDIBLE READ
Review: I read Huey P. Newton's autobiography- Revolutionary Suicide- and Elaine's autobiography really completes the picture of what the Black Panthers were all about. It's pros and pitfalls and most importantly a well- encompassing picture of her struggle as well as the struggle of the Black Panthers. I recommend this book to any and every one. It is really amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading but ended up not being able to put it down
Review: I started reading Elaine Brown's, "A Taste of Power" for my African American politics class. I had no desire to do any reading what so ever. The day the reading was do I started reading it and from then until I was finished every free momment I had was indulged in this book. My roomates got tired of me talking about what was going on and so did friends in my other classes. It is a must read if you are from philly or know anything about it this book puts you right there with her and also you feel like you are there when some of the panthers are being killed or beaten or harrased by police.
Rating: 
Summary: A Pretty Good Book
Review: I thought that this book was okay... it is a bit slow in the begenning and takes awhile to get you turning the pages. i think that she basically slept her way to the top of the Party. I would recomend reading "Assata", "Morning Breaks" or Angela Davis's biography, they are better.
Rating: 
Summary: You Won't Find the Truth in This Book
Review: If you want the truth about the Panthers and Elaine Brown you won't find it here. Ask her about Betty Van Patter and all the cops who bit the dust from Panther bullets. It's nice to see someone who cared so much for the people as a true marxist score a big pay day. Same as it ever was.
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