Finding The Good

Rating:
Summary: exploring your inner Fred
Review:
This was definitely a different kind of book for me. Part biography part cathartic journey for both the writer AND the reader.

I'm the grandson of a sharecropper and I enjoyed the glimpse into the similar lifestyle that I'm sure were aspects of my grandfather's life. That life was tough enough for him without the additional struggles of 20th century racial injustices that Fred Montgomery had to deal with.

I'm glad that invoking the memory of Alex Haley was not overly done, because Fred Montgomery's story deserved the attention that was given here. Fred was "coincidentally" a contemporary of Haley's. Haley was wise enough to recognize the "every-man" quality of Montgomery AND the Providential actions in Fred's life.

The spiritual side of Fred's story at times seemed Job-like but with shades of justice ala Dickens' "Great Expectations".

That generation's faith is sadly hard to find in my own.

Now the literary device used by Johnson (let me be honest here...I work with him) to insert his own journey at the end of each chapter was interesting...because it had the effect of causing me to compare my own life with Fred's accomplishments.

That was a mistake, Fred's pretty accomplished, most folks would come off pretty poor as I did. (Successful Farmer, Hunter, Husband, Father, Plumber, Mayor, & Museum Curator)

A nice legacy for Fred Montgomery would be putting this book into the hands of a young 12 or 13 year old at risk kid, IF you can't make the drive to Henning and talk to the man yourself.



Rating:
Summary: Unabashedly optimistic and inspiring
Review: I picked up this volume thinking it wasn't really "my kind of book," but I was pleasantly surprised by the author's genuine account of Fred Montgomery, the son of a sharecropper, who went on to become mayor of Henning, Tennessee. Along the way he also inserts vignettes from his own life. The parallels are effective in helping the book appeal to readers of several generations.

In Montgomery's days, a big challenge was overcoming the oppression of racism. He also went through the pain of losing a child, and some other relatives through a couple of accidents. He battled depression for a time and even attempted suicide twice. Gen-X Johnson had to deal with a rough neighborhood, where drugs and crime were commonplace. He also describes a college pregnancy scare and the substance abuse rampant in his own family.

At times, the writing borders on the cusp of preachy, with frequent Bible quotes, but because the author is so forthcoming, direct, and unabashedly optimistic, he largely avoids that fate. Montgomery, who was a contemporary of Roots author Alex Haley, has a universal and inspiring life story. Besides, it's hard to come up with too much criticism of a book called Finding the Good.

Rating:
Summary: Nostalgia!!
Review: Brought me back to the old days of when my great-gradmother told stories about Mason, TN. No one could believe the hardships she faced, such as Fred Montgomery did in Henning,TN. She was definitely viewed as the "griot" of our family who held the knowledge of the village in her head and feared no one. People like my grandmother and Mr. Montgomery rekindles your faith, allows you to appreciate EVERYTHING GOD has given us, and never lets you take anything for granted. This book will absolutely make you a better person. While reading this story, I could only think of one word......POWERFUL!

Rating:
Summary: Finding the Great!
Review: I appreciated the biography of Malcolm X. I believe Finding the Good to be of importance to not only Alex Haley fans, but to anyone who has a sense of passion for making this world a better place. I loved Finding the Good simply because it is genuine; nothing is fake or contrived. Lucas Johnson's writing flows, and through his art, there shouts spirituality and love. I am neither religious nor Black, yet Mr. Johnson's book succeeds because I came to care warts and all about Fred Montgomery, a "twentieth-century slave" and childhood friend of Mr. Haley; I felt Mr. Montgomery's pain, anger, and joy. I'd like to think that I am better for having read Finding the Good. Kudos, Mr. Johnson.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Amazing, and Astounding
Review: What can I say but that this work is magnificant. Mr. Johnson not only writes candidly and truthfully, but compassionatly/passionately about the relationship shared with Mr. Montgomery. Readers can not help but be wrapped up in the warmth and tenderness of his words and sentiment. Not only does Mr. Johnson tell us of a story about the transforming power of faith and love, but he tells us a story rich with history and culture. Bravo to you Mr. Johnson. I look forward to reading your next powerful and motivating novel.