Rating: 
Summary: A jumbled miss-mash
Review: After reading all of the glowing reviews by other readers, it feels somewhat embarrassing to write a review with such an opposing opinion. First, let me say that I had started reading the book over a year ago. I stopped reading it because I thought it was boring, and it really wasn't well written enough to hold my interest. But I made a promise to myself years ago to always finish a book - even if I don't like it - and boy - I didn't like this book. I majored in African-American Studies in college. As I was reading this book, I could tell that Mr. Johnson didn't do very much research into black history before writing it. Many of the incidences he writes about in the book are years off historically. He writes about using the telephone at a time when very few whites, not to mention probably no blacks, had telephones. The book is just not historically accurate. I also think he tried too hard to put everything in the book, the historical all-black mid-western towns, the New York Mob in New Orleans, (I thought this was completely ridiculous), the Klan, everything but the kitchen sink. His liberal use of terms and phrases including hip-hop slang) that were not even spoken in the 1920's was really stupid. Mistakes like those definitely took away from the magic of reading a book that's supposed to be somewhat of a historical novel. I don't think black folks called Los Angeles "LA," San Francisco "Frisco" or Oakland "Oaktown" in the 1920's or 1930's. His characters constant use of phrases that were out of line with the time was really disgusting and showed a lack of effort in his writing. After a while and couldn't wait to finish the book so that I could throw it in the trash. Moreover, It seems that as the book got further along, Mr. Johnson was just trying to hurry the story along and just threw the words on the page without any thought as to story development. You can see the characters words getting shorter and quicker as if Mr. Johnson is attempting to get the book over with. I know that he has written another book that relates to this one - if it's anything like this one, I think I'll pass on it. Finally, I thought the story was supposed to be about King Tremain. Mr. Johnson spends way too much time and ink on King's idiot wife Selena's side of the story. I must say that I really didn't like the book, and I feel bad because I really wanted to - I love reading the works of black male writers - Walter Moseley, Chester Himes, Langston Hughes, Colin Channer - heck - I even like Eric Jerome Dickey. But in my opinion this book was a sorry miss-mash of junk.
Rating: 
Summary: Wild Wild West
Review: Back in 2000 or 2001 I let the number of pages in this book intimidate me from reading it. When one of my local book club members nominated it for our January read I thought wow, can I do it. I must admit I am very glad I did, it is obvious the book is long, that goes without saying. What lines between the front and back jacket is an African American look at feuds, mob like family saga and a look at a mis-understood man.
The story opens with Leroi Tremain and his uncle Jake trying to raid the Dumont family terrain. In doing so Jake gets killed and Leroi kills two white deputies. At the advice of the family elder he if forced to leave everything he knows and love until "things cool down" as his family says. His departure takes him on a wild Wild West ride from Louisiana, Oklahoma, New York and San Francisco.
Standing at the Scratch Line tracks Leroi's life and revelations from being Leroi to King, from his early teens to his 40's. It forces the reader to examine the justice system then and now. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to its sequel.
Missy
Rating:
Summary: A LIFE ALTERING COMPOSITION
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Guy Johnson. He is one of the big inspirations in my writing career; and his book "Standing At The Scratch Line" changed my life. I can't imagine becoming as great an author as he is, but thanks to him I'm always striving to become a better author, as well as a better man. Guy Johnson, you are a hidden jewel, and I wish that those of us who DESERVE to read your work could keep your brilliance all to ourselves. Furthermore,anyone who has given this work less than 5-stars needs to have their head checked. Congratulations, Mr. Johnson on a most incredible novel, and I so look forward to reading more.
Rating: 
Summary: Standing at the Scratch Line
Review: I am usually not much of a fiction reader. I enjoy a whole lot of real life stories. This book was a real joy to read because it didn't seem like fiction. We have been reading about the struggle with Black Americans for years now and always end up feeling like history has tried to rob us at every turn. After seeing the Black Holocost exhibit, in a strange twist of emotions I find this book to be an uplifting vision from that same past. I know in my heart that there are more stories that tell the couragious and true stories of men and women that didn't always necessarily wait for triumph to make its way past racism. We'd like to hear them all.. fiction and non-fiction. Guy Johnson says that the books are loosely based on his grandfather. All I can say is .... I wish I knew him. Wonderful book... I really hope it turns out to be a movie with a really really good director and some brave new actor as King Tremain. Bravo Guy Johnson, Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: I Can't Wait To Read His New Book!
Review: I just purchased Mr. Johnson's new novel. I so excited about owning it but I haven't starting reading it ...yet. I'm saving that thrill for my vacation at the end of the month. After reading "Standing At The Stratch Line" last year,I was so impressed that I passed it on to five of my friends and my husband...believe me I had trouble getting it back from my friends. My husband couldn't put down. He doesn't read as much as I do but this was one time he couldn't stop! This book will always be in my collection. What a ride it was! It is the "BEST" novel I have ever read! Really.... please don't miss it! I
can just see Denzel Washington on the screen strutting his stuff. Has anyone heard of this book making it to the "big
screen"?
Thank you so much Guy Johnson.
Rating: 
Summary: A powerful new voice in black literature........
Review: I mainly picked up this book because it was written by the talented Maya Angelou's son. As the saying goes, the apple did not fall far from the tree. Guy Johnson definitely has his mothers gift of prose.
LeRoi 'King' Tremain was one of the most realistic characters created in a novel. He had anger, strength of will, love of family, his own set of morals/rules and a strong sense of justice. From the time he was growing up to his days as a grandfather, there is always a sense of honor involved in his life. He will not stand for disrespect nor to be called the n-word. He battles enemy soldiers, the Klan, hoodlums, etc and always comes out on top. There is a sense of pathos in his life as well because of the search for his older son who was left at an orphanage by an enemy. And the wife who betrays his trust even after risking all to save his life. I sure hope Guy writes another novel with his larger than life creation.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Facinating
Review: I too purchased "Standing at the Scratch Line" and didn't pick it up for a while (actually read several books in between) because the number of pages seemed daunting. I was also leery of not liking the book--the story, writing, etc., etc.Well I was pleasantly surprised. I became totally riveted in the story in the first few pages. In some of the reviews I read the central character, "King Tramain," was described as an "antihero." What a misnomer! If anything he is an archetypical, larger-than-life hero of the kind many of us have not been introduced to within the historical context of Jim Crow, Northern racism and inter-group self hate and prejudice. I cheered this man at each stage of this story and liked him more and more as his story unfolded. Was he violent? Yes. Was his approach to the world necessary? Absolutely! Could a black man at the dawn of the 20th century survive and hold on to his wealth without standing up for himself, using violence, when necessary? I agree with the premise the author eventually sets forth in one of his later chapters-absolutely not. This is a sweeping epic, powerfully told with panache by a good, solid writer. It is a great read, providing glimpses back into a world that had to be a living nightmare for our ancestors, and speaks anew about the survival of a race of people who had to endure extraordinarily vile, hostile and wanton violence at every turn. A must read. Kudos and congrats, Mr. Johnson. Very well done!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating, engrossing and interesting.
Review: I was both curious,(I was sure that the book had been published ONLY because the author was Maya Angelou's son)and, I was desperate for a GOOD book to read, when I happened upon "Standing at the Scratch Line" by Guy Johnson. It is December, and I was told not to expect it until January. I'd heard from a from a friend, who'd read an advance copy that it was good. What an understatement! The book is great! History and social studies teachers, take heed.This book should be used as a way to teach a segment of America's history, in a way that would hold students' attention. As it did mine. From line one, the story grabs you, and doesn't let go until the end. Congratulations to Mr. Johnson for conjuring up such a compelling story and for not writing just another "so-so," "ho-hum," "just change the name and location type of book,that too many publishers think all Black people want to read, and to Random House for recognizing quality and talent, and publishing it. I am not related to Guy Johnson, nor affiliated with Random House or its employees in any way. I am a vociferous reader who is always in search of a book that is WELL WRITTEN. "Standing at the Scratch Line" is it. Too often, publishers, anxious to publish books written by Black authors, accept sacrifice quality. Again, congratulations to the editors at Random House for recognizing a book that needed to be published.
Rating:
Summary: a book i could not put down
Review: one of the best books i have ever read,oprah needed to put this in her book club,but since guy johnson is not white i guess he did not rate.but the book is truly a keeper,does any body know where i can get a hard copy?i have the soft back but would love the hard copy.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: This book is GREAT, always keeps you on edge....I truly enjoyed reading this book...we need more characters like this. All the characters were well developed...
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