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Summary: Centenarian "Brother" Remembers a Century
Review: In 1993, sisters Sarah and Elizabeth Delany became overnight celebrities with the publication of their memoir, "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," written in collaboration with New York Times reporter Amy Hill Hearth. It became a national bestseller, was adapted into a highly successful stage play and TV movie, and led to two more books by the Delanys."Sweet Sadie" and "Queen Bess," as they called one other, have since passed on. But picking up the torch is 101-year-old George Dawson, the principal author of "Life Is So Good," co-written with Richard Glaubman. The book was done as an oral history, and deals primarily with life in the South. The volume is an excellent read -- instructive, insightful, emotionally moving and inspiring. And while it covers nearly the same historical period as the Delany sisters' work, it examines the time from very different perspectives. The Delanys were light-skinned, professional women with college degrees, who spent most of their careers in New York City. Dawson, on the hand, was not only uneducated, but illiterate, and never rose above blue-collar work. In addition, he was dark of complexion, which undoubtedly raised the bar for him. "Life Is So Good" is a page-turner, rushing forward like a well-written novel, and breathing with authenticity. The editor preserves Dawson's voice whenever possible, purposely not correcting the unschooled grammar. Because Dawson was not influenced by newspapers, books, or historical events as they happened, his story is his alone, and acts as a mirror to the times in which he lived. The book has a timeless quality that will make it good reading a century from now. It brings to mind two classics -- Alex Haley's "Roots" and Ralph Ellison's autobiographical novel, "The Invisible Man." Except for a structural flaw -- the unnecessary insertion of Glaubman himself into the body of the story, which disrupts the narrative flow -- this book could become a classic in its own right. Glaubman, an elementary school teacher in Washington state, was so moved by reading about Dawson in the newspaper that he traveled all the way to Dallas to meet him. Then, realizing the literary potential of Dawson's life story, he persuaded the older man to let him move into his house, so that he could record his story on tape. Glaubman deserves a great deal of credit for making the book possible, and editing it so well. But he would have done better to tell about his involvement in the project only in the introduction, and leave the rest of the book for Dawson. Perhaps he will consider doing this in a second edition. The book resembles "Roots" in its breathtaking detail about everyday life dating back to slavery. For this, Dawson relies on his own memory. He recalls the stories he heard directly from his grandmother, who was a slave during her childhood, and his great-grandmother, born in 1812, who was still alive during Dawson's early years. His account of their stories, like many parts of the book, is riveting. Like the main character in "Invisible Man," Dawson recounts his experiences in traveling from place to place, working at a great variety of jobs, while trying to maintain dignity in the face of overt racism. Many parts of "Life Is So Good" are as vivid as Ellison's great novel. But unlike Ellison's character, who was educated, Dawson had the burden of hiding his illiteracy from his employers, and even from his own children. It numbs the mind to think that "Invisible Man" was published 48 years ago, yet Dawson was actually born 16 years before Ellison. Such is the miracle of extreme old age. When I first read in an article that Dawson had learned to read at the age of 98, I didn't believe it. By the time I got to the end of his book, I believed it. Unfortunately, the book suffers from a common fault of autobiographies: it initially describes every event in microscopic detail, then gradually loses steam, so that the story peters out, and virtually ends by the 1950s. One is left wondering how many memorable incidents from the past 40 or 50 years could be included, if the author and his assistant had unlimited time and resources available. But this is only a minor fault. What did get into print was probably the most valuable part of the story -- an eyewitness account of an age that has been largely excluded from the history books, and exists only in the memories of a handful of African-American centenarians. ------- Max Millard is working on an oral history project about the West Coast's senior black journalist, 92-year-old Thomas Fleming, co-founder in 1944 of the Sun-Reporter, San Francisco's oldest weekly black newspaper.
Rating:
Summary: People Worry too much
Review: I was reading the local paper and came upon a review of Life is so Good. I am thankful that I stumbled upon such a great book. George Dawson reflects on his life in such a positive manner, despite the hardships that himself, his family had to deal with. I think that everyone, young and old should read this book, its that good. Mr. Dawson story should be and inspiration to us all..........he as lived through History in the making
Rating:
Summary: An exceptional read
Review: Life is So Good was so amazing. It truly helped me to see it is all about attitude, not about what happens to you. Very motivating.
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Summary: Will warm your heart for a long time, beautiful
Review: This book reminds me of Tuesdays with Morrie. It should be required reading for everyone. I hope that Mr. Glaubman will write more books, people who have lived so long are sure to have wisdom to share.
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Summary: Wonderful man, wonderful life, wonderful book
Review: This is a great book; I recommend it highly. I read my local library's copy, and I'm now buying my own to have and to lend to select friends.
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Summary: WOW!
Review: I have read many books. I have never so much wanted to meet a person or character. George Dawson's life is an example for everyone about how far the values of humility and acceptance will get you-- to a good life at 101 years of age. I will never forget George Dawson.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: You are never too old to learn that is the message I got from reading this book. Mr Dawson knew about having pride, making sacrifices, and maintaning a sense of dignity. I found all these things to be inspiring. George Dawson raised 7 children who all graduated from college. Without being able to read, he helped his children with their homework by having them read their homework out loud to him. George Dawson left home at age 12 to work on a white man's farm to help out his struggling family. He knew the meaning of sacrifice at a early age. He refused to eat a bowl of stew simply because it was placed on the porch where the dogs ate. He made it clear that he was a human being and deserved to be treated with respect. Anything is possible even learning to read at 98. This is a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I was inspired by this simple man's life. Despite that he had a lot of odds, he did the best that he could with his life. My favorite part in the book is when he works for a lady and she puts his food right out there with her dogs, and he refused to eat it, and told her why he didn't. In his own way, he made a contribution right there for civil rights. I also felt that he was elusive at times, but I respect a person's right to their privacy as well. This book should be read by the young and old alike and know that one is never too old too learn. No one can make that excuse by reading Mr.Dawson's book.
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Summary: An inspiration for everyone
Review: George Dawson is a man everyone should get to know. The fact that he lived the first 98 years of his life without being able to read is remarkable. What is even more impressive is the fact that he lived his life happily. While being able to read is important, George Dawson proves it is not the only thing necessary to lead a happy life. George Dawson leads a life we should all want to lead. Live one day at a time, make the best of that day, and work as hard as you can. George Dawson is a hero. To have lived his life and still say that it was a good life is incredible. Then to want to improve it even more by learning to read and write is an inspiration. George, keep up the good work. Maybe the rest of us will learn from you.
Rating:
Summary: Life Is So Good
Review: What a fabulous book. From the moment I opened the cover I was entranced by Mr. Dawson's life story - obviously one is never too old to learn. It was most interested to read about life in the South so many moons ago and how the human spirit can survive so many types of adversity. It made me laugh, it made me cry and I have already recommended it to several friends. Thank goodness Mr. Dawson had the tenacity to record his life story for posterity.
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