The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written -- And Very Touching
Review: This cleverly written book is in effect a dual-autobiography, presenting two clear and unique voices. Alternating between the words of Ruth McBride Jordan and her son James in every other chapter, the imagery of the primary and supporting players in these two people's experiences brings life to the stories. By alternating these viewpoints, James McBride underscores the similarities and contrasts the differences in their two separate experiences. He chronicles his discovery of himself and the discovery of who his mother really was. A woman, who was secretive about her life and history, but instilled incredible values and heaped immeasurable quantities of love on her children. I recommend this book highly! Also recommended: Lovely Bones by Sebold, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez

Rating:
Summary: A Touching Multi- Racial Biography
Review: This is a powerful story about the hardships of a white woman who is rejected by her own clan, but who marries a black man and tries to fit in with the Black culture. Everyone is flawed, but the emotional connections run ever so deep because of that. An inspirational story that serves as a reminder that we all share the human condition.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I grew up until I was 7 as a minority---as a white girl in Gary, IN. I not only loved the story, but the title and saying from his mother when he was asked what color he was/is really was touching. Highly recommend this book for parents---for passing on to their kids! Must read for young adults who don't have the privelige or eduction of growing up in diverse communities.

Rating:
Summary: no great expectations
Review: It's an easily read book, but nothing more. The subject and the strusture are offering nothing new. The strong point is the narration being vivid, but nothing more than that.

Rating:
Summary: Just GREAT!
Review: McBride's loving tribute to his mother shows a deep respect, appreciation and compassion for a young, frightened outcast Jewish girl who found comfort, religious fulfillment, love and acceptance in New York City's black population, and at a time when it took great courage to do so. Feisty Ruth considered herself 'born' again when she moved to New York. She eventually received her own college degree, with all of her successful children attending. Readers can be grateful for McBride's curiosity and persistence in getting his intensely private, mysterious mother to finally share her remarkable story with both her children, and the world. Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez

Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: This book is one of the finest, inpirational books I have ever read. A combination of two profound stories, the Color of Water was very engaging. I can't help but strongly reccomend this tremendous work.

Rating:
Summary: An Inspirational Story of Love, Hope & Determination
Review: I've read this book several times over the last five years and recommended it to many. The story and triumph of James McBride and his family is truly awesome, not as a slang term but awesome as in remarkable and amazing. His detailed research into his mother's background (a Jewish woman raised in the south) who falls in love with a black man gives such wonderful insight into that era. His mother is uncooperative about divulging information about her family but James uncovers it slowly but surely. I cry every time I read about the accomplishments he and his siblings have achieved under her constant vigilance and tough love. This is a tribute not just to James McBrides mother but all those mothers who face incredible odds of poverty, racism, ignorance and yet somehow contribute amazing people to our society. God Bless them all.

Rating:
Summary: a book about understanding
Review: As I read along, I realized that something odd was happening. McBride was writing about his mother after he had come to peace with her. It was an odd feeling. His book is honest--his mother is not sugar-coated or idealized. But her failings are described with an understanding humor, and while he makes it clear that he himself had trouble along his way, the trouble is not what the book is about. Maybe I couldn't have noticed this if I were younger. The story itself is moving and well written, the character of his mother highly believeable, but what touched me the most is that this is what a relationship looks like after you have battled, self-destructed, loved, hurt, and all the rest, through to understanding and acceptance.

Rating:
Summary: Summer Reading
Review: This book was on my list for summer reading, I picked it up and thought why not? I'll read it. Little did I know how well this book was written. It's one of those books where you get into it on the first page. The story is sad and yes I cried a lot but this is one of the best books I have ever read. Read this book even if you are not a big reader--you'll like it.

Rating:
Summary: we are our mother's work of art
Review: Praise to James McBride's mother. She made sure her children were educated she found a way. Her childhood story was hartbreaking. She had known true love. for that she was very lucky. Her children's success are her reward for all the tough times she experienced, and her own mother's too.