Product Description
This is the definitive biography of this extraordinary and controversial superstar, encompassing his entire life, until his death on Christmas day, 2006. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Well written, and insightful
This is well written book about JB's life. The updated version includes narrative about the last days of his life, his death, and the aftermath of his death. Includes pictures, as well. This is a good read . . .

Very good, but actually a revised edition of a 10 year old book
This is a very good bio of James Brown, but it is being marketed in a slightly deceptive manner. This is actually a revised version of a 1996 book by Geoff Brown that was released under various titles (including "James Brown: Doin' it to Death").
But if you're a JB fan, this updated version is worth every penny, as it continues the story from 1995 up past the Godfather's death. And the "Warts and All" approach makes it a fine companion to Brown's 80s autobiography (also check out Fred Wesley's bio, "Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Sideman" for a good chunk of uncensored JB antics).

And even though the descripton on the back cover states that a "comprehensive discography" is included, this is not true. There is only a very minimal "Selective Discography." It is reprinted from the 1996 edition and is WAY out of date. Back in 96 it was meant to represent what was currently available, but many of the cd collections mentioned are long out of print (and quite expensive on Ebay). They would have done better to just leave the Discography out than to reprint one that is so useless.

Overall, however, an indispensible book for the true JB fan. ... Read more

Product Description
Nelson George and Alan Leeds have assembled the first comprehensive collection of writings about the late, great Godfather of Soul, creating a fascinating mosaic of the man and the musician. Known as the hardest-working man in show business, James Brown embodied rhythm and blues, funk and soul, and sensuality. His musical innovations in such indelible grooves as “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” “I Got You (I Feel Good),” and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” transformed American music.

To appreciate Brown’s immeasurable influence, to chronicle his professional and personal triumphs and struggles, and to capture his essence, writers from four decades weigh in on the legendary Soul Brother Number One. What emerges is a tribute to a trailblazer—one that no dedicated fan or music history buff will want to be without. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a glimpse of the god father at his peak
This compendium of interviews with Soul Brother number 1 illustrates why he transcended music at the peak of his popularity and became an icon for a generation. Here was a man who was self made, unapologetic and independant. In 2010 its fascinating to look back in time and realize that a brother who had sold 38 million records before he was 40 years old, owned 3 radio stations, a chain of restaurants,toured over 300 days a year for well over a decade , diffused riots by request, and whose music rose like a phoenix a generation later to provide the foundation for the golden age of hip hop was never really given his due by the country he loved so much . A man for the ages to be sure. Like watching Ali in his prime, these interviews offer a glimpse into what made the Godfather great. For those of us who love JB this book is a long lost love letter. for those of you who are just discovering the amazing mr. please please, the big boss with all the hot sauce , the hardest working man in show business...dig in , enjoy and consider yourselves blessed. Get on the good foot and keep it on the one!

For the JB reader....and listener
Five decades of JB's career are covered in rare (and long) interviews (one from the '70s with less than flattering comments from the entourage)and concert reviews (which, surprisingly, do not really address the joyous mass rapture evident on the live recordings); plus many photos this serious Brown fan has never seen before. I particularly enjoy the '67 to '75 period and was pleased to find alot of coverage of that great era of creativity, roughly from "Cold Sweat" to "Hustle!". The reader *today* will be astonished to learn that those cataclysmic concerts were something almost routine. Well, in entertainment, as in "real life" (though with James Brown, his public personae was always of the "open book" order), stuff happens, people change: that insistent, pulsating, inspirational aspect seemed to yield, slowly, to just another "greatest hits" revue.
A very helpful single, album, and elected CD section is provided, though I was disappointed by the lack of analysis of strong, later CD efforts like "Love Over Due", a solid effort from '91, and two from the late '90s, "I'm Back" (with "Funk On Ah Roll", "Break Away", and "Peace In The World"), "The Merry Christmas Album", a minor Classic - I say "minor" in that the production values were modest and it seemed to be available only online. George and Leeds could have expounded brilliantly on these lesser-known opuses.
A classy package all the way around by two very important names in publishing and music. ... Read more

Product Description
A man of many names: The hardest working man in show business,King of the one nighters, Soul Brother #1, the sex machine ... buteveryone knows who they mean. James Brown: The Godfather ofSoul. Since his first chart-topper in 1956, he’s outlived, outlasted,and outperformed all rivals. He is the funk-and-soul innovator andrap’s driving spirit. His dazzling stage shows are legendary. NowJames Brown tells his own story, just as he plays his music: loud,proud, and soulful. From his dirt-poor childhood in an Augusta brothelto wealth and world fame and his recent incarceration, James Browntakes a unique look behind the closed doors of poverty, segregation,politics, and the music industry. With photo inserts, brilliantanecdotes about Little Richard, Elvis, Tina Turner, Otis Redding,Tammi Terrell, Michael Jackson, and many others, plus a new updatedintroduction and epilogue and an exhaustive discography.Amazon.com Review
The autobiography Godfather of Soul was originallypublished before James Brown's late-'80s brushes with the law, sothose looking for the man's thoughts on his drug problems andsubsequent incarceration will walk away empty-handed. Seekers afterthe fine blend of social responsibility, cranked-up ego, andpronouncements on his own music and its place in the world, however,will be amply rewarded. Fascinating tidbits--from the claim that ElvisPresley once hoped to record with the JBs to the story of being ableto find only white and Asian kids in a last-minute recruiting effortfor the shout-along on "Say It Loud--I'm Black and I'mProud"--abound. But you probably guessed as much of the auteur of"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," Live at theApollo, and "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto."--Rickey Wright ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Get on the Good Foot Y'all!
James Brown was a true innovator.Nobody can take his genius away from him.He has passed on to occupy the ancestral realm.Remember the ancestors are always with us, you simply have to invoke their names.

I recommend this book for any James Brown fans or casual reader of history.

a very good read
RIP to the Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother #1, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. This been a great blow and to all of us James Brown fans here. This book was the one I needed to keep me focused. Just read it all the way through earlier this year. Very strong, uplifting and powerful. James Brown was the Hero, the Legend, the American Pioneer. He wasn't just an entertainer or a hit maker or an artist, he's a man that have overcome alot on what's happening in the world: going thru poverty, business, the Civil Rights Movement, the world, loss of jobs, politics, way of culture, way of living, and a way to express ourselves thru a meaning of religion, life, hunger, soul, pain, and suffering. The Man had it all. Boy I'mma miss him and his talent. His spirit always captures us thru this day. GOOD GOD!!!

Thanks for all the hardship and legacy you put us into, Brother James Brown.

Interesting From Start to Finish
I bought this book a couple of years ago, and once I began reading the first page I couldn't stop until I'd finished the whole book. The things that JB had to go through as a young boy, it's a wonder he didn't wind up on death row, or in an early grave. It's a good thing that he turned his attention to music, and put all he had into it. Even though he was never really raised by anyone, or had a real family life he was able to make his mark in life. I'm glad that he acknowledges the power of God, and he knows what God can do. I enjoyed reading this book. This is a must read for everyone.

It hooked me - An Amazing Read
What a life. What a personality. I have enjoyed this book enormously: You get the feeling that this is James Brown telling you his extraordinary story in a long and fascinating conversation. He talks about his music, his personal life and troubles, his philosophy, and, what I think is most thrilling, show business and stage performance.

My main goal in reading this book was resolving a personal doubt: Was he the genius behind his records, or was it Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley or his producers? After reading the book and listening to his records with lots of new insights, I have little doubt that the main driving force (although not the only one) in his records was himself. What Brown says about his music, where it came from, how it was made, what he intended to say, really made me discover many things in his records! For instance, if you have 'Live At The Apollo (1963)' (one of Brown's best albums) or have listened to it, DON'T MISS what he has to say about it -and play the LP again. I couldn't stop laughing for almost a quarter of an hour.

On another hand, I was also wondering: Is he a ruthless, egotistic and authoritarian character, as he is sometimes portrayed? In the book, JB openly and candidly talks about the discipline in his band, prison, guns, Black Power, and politics; and, paradoxically, in the end I finished with the impression of having received a lesson in confidence in man, tolerance, faith and spirituality. Soulful singers like him or BB King really have something to say about life-not only in their records.

On a last note, I think the (co-)writer Bruce Tucker has structured the book very well, hooking you from the beginning until the last page. As usual, it is better to avoid beginning with the prefaces and forewords, and leave them for the end. Only a little information about musicians in the sessions would have been welcome -although it is true that it's not the scope of the book.

Definitely worth reading it if you are a James Brown fan, and also very commendable if you are interested in music in general.

The greatest entertainer in the world!!!
I'm 34 I had listened to some James Brown manly the hits.I had the oppertunity to see his show a couple of months ago.It was fantastic.I started getting some of his other albums like the big payback(my favorite) I must tell you I'm hooked I can't get enough of that sound.I finished this book today.It was awsome his takes on things are so down to earth.If you're down with Mr.Brown than you gotta read this. ... Read more

Product Description
We live in a world that all too often operates under the overriding template of self-promotion, embracing a "hooray for me" attitude, and which measures success in increasingly small timeframes dotted with markers of temporal value.

Millions of viewers know James Brown as a sports commentator and former athlete. With ROLE OF A LIFETIME, James reveals a different side of his character. Part memoir and part self-help, this book draws on James' lessons from his life experiences to guide readers to find fulfillment and significance. He offers values and encouragment to others of all generations, assisting them in their search for meaning in navigating a world that increasingly promotes transient values, if any at all. His message that shortcuts and gimmicks are counterproductive to a person's success provides hope that there is a God who cares about them and their futures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Role of a Lifetime


James Brown is a well-known athlete and sports commentator, but not everyone knows his personal story. In ROLE OF A LIFETIME, Mr. Brown shares his story of how he became a devout Christian, the disappointments he endured, and the people along the way that helped him become the man he became.

Mr. Brown says that this book is partially self-help and part memoir. To quote from the back cover, "The definition of success and what it takes to be successful has been warped and twisted. Self-promotion and self-importance have become the norms, and the individuals we're taught to look up to for guidance--the high-profile role models--are often looking for a guiding light themselves."

The premise of ROLE OF A LIFETIME is the belief that finding and living the role we were meant to play should be our focus. Mr. Brown shares the lessons he learned in his own life so that we can make the most of our roles.

ROLE OF A LIFETIME: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Significant Living, like I said is a memoir. I don't really enjoy reading these types of books, but Mr. Brown's style is very friendly, almost like he's sharing his story over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. I did enjoy this slant.

If you are a sports fan--or just enjoy reading memoirs--then you will appreciate reading ROLE OF A LIFETIME. Also an awesome gift for sports fans or for Father's Day.

JAMES BROWN ROLE OF A LIFTIME
THIS WAS VERY INTERESTING BOOK AND GAVE AN INSIGHT INTO THE LIFE OF A NOTED TV SPORTS ANNOUNCER.

Ordinary Fellow, With an Extraordinary Impact
I'm familiar with James Brown, through his roles as the host of some of my favorite football shows, over the years. He's always seemed like a respectable man, and when I heard about his book, it became a priority of mine to check it out. I like how he talks about family, how important it was to his growth, as well as his challenges with his faith. By his own admission, it wasn't easy for him to piece everything together for the book, and it led to times in the book that I had to make myself push through. However, I still feel like it's a solid read, and one you can find life lessons in.

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - Staying Strong In Spite Of Adversaries
I enjoy reading memoirs and learning how others have handled difficult events in their lives but still continued to find success. James Brown's life is no different. I have seen him on many occasions on television and at first glance, he seemed to have lived a good life. But as you read his story, you find everyone who looks good may have experienced some pain and strife to get that way.

ROLE OF A LIFETIME: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Significant Living is part inspirational and a memoir about the author's life. He shares stories about his ups and down, his failures, problems and successes. The title is true to the content inside of the book. Brown discusses finding the role in your life that God wants you to have. He talks about faith, his family, helping others and being an inspiration. Finally, he does the one thing that many people fail to do and that is to give credit to those who helped you along the way.

I enjoyed this book; learning how valuable faith is and reading what God expects out of you. I enjoyed the candid stories Brown shared that allowed us to know that often success does not come easy, but if you use your failures to become better, you can achieve anything with faith and God. I highly recommend this book to those who need inspiration and help in understanding their role in life.

Reviewed by RM Jackson
of The RAWSISTAZ (tm) Reviewers

Insightful Autobiography
This book is part autobiography and part testimonial to a Christian way of life.Maybe, in some ways, people could see it as a self-help book, but that's not exactly a good description of this work.

Here Brown talks about his life growing up in a modest Washington, D.C. neighborhood and being the first member of his family to go to college, and Harvard at that.He went on a basketball scholarship and had dreams of playing in the NBA.Once he got to the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks his dreams were soon dashed.

His strong family and values is what pulled him through a tough time and thrust him into the business world, where he was successful, but ultimately found himself staying in the sports world and calling games.He slowly climbed the ladder to where he is today, one of the most respected sports broadcasters.

There is quite a bit of advice on how to live life and maintain a strong value base, which helped Brown deal with many of the tough decisions in his life.They also helped him thrive in a tough profession.

While this may not be everyone's cup of tea, Brown has lead and interesting life and has some valuable insight into how a strong family (he especially extols his mother in this book) and good decisions based on firm values can lead to a happy and successful life.Nice guys don't always finish last.
... Read more

Product Description
In this unique rhythm section workbook, 23 James Brown classics have been transcribed, broken down into individual lessons, and meticulously recreated on two one-hour CDs. Featuring legendary grooves from the guitarists, bassists, and drummers who ignited the Godfather of Soul for over three decades (including Jabo Starks, Bernard Odum, Clyde Stubblefield, Bootsy Collins, Jimmy Nolen, Country Kellum, and more), this book will enlighten and challenge your soul. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Funky
Great resource material for learning the tunes.The CD is well organized with band, base, drums and guitar parts all recorded separately.Sometimes with alternate versions.Well worth the cost.I wish Tower of Power had a similar product.

HUH! Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Sumpin'!
Great book for any player. A good 101 of subdividing the funk riddim for both non solo players. These skills are adaptable to almost all other styles of music. Pick it up!

Can we Hit it and Quit it?
I've always wanted to understand how James Brown got that Funk sound.This book breaks it down for drums, bass, and guitar.It isolates each part so you can focus on finding the groove.The transcriptions are accurate, although some recordings may have variations depending on the player.The book also gives a brief history of the players behind the Godfather of Soul.Bootsy is a monster, and this book has his lines laid out for you.Worth it!

How a Rhythm Section Works
Really a great book. Has a bit of interesting history about James Brown.

Really breaks down the interplay between drums, guitars, and bass on JB's band. Also provides some insight into the different bassists during JB's career. Finally, really provides a good description of the rhythmic interaction between the drummer and bassist.

If you want the FUNK - start here.

Killer book for learning funk
As a guitarist, this book rules for expanding your chord base and learning new rhythms. The CD tracks are great to play along with on repeat until you nail 'em, and the historical text is a nice bonus. Quit dorking and buy this book, whether you are just beginning or an expert guitarist. It is a NO BRAINER! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

GREAT BOOK
I have several books about James Brown and various concert dvds as well as footage collected over the past 20+ years.I was glad to find out such little known facts such as JB,s mother was forced to leave in fear of her life as opposed to the wide belief that she abandoned her husband and son and that JB,s 2nd wife Deidre was responsible for finding his mother and connecting her with the son she had not seen in over 25 years.Great insight into the life of James Brown, who traveled the world; meeting kings, queens, presidents etc., but never forgot his roots or the people he grew up with. A sometimes tyrant, sometimes benevolent but complex person, who ruled his empire with an iron fist.A must read for any JB fan.Now all we need is a good biopic about Mr. Brown.

The Latter-Day JB
A very well-written and thoughtful tome, concentrating on the "Rocky IV"-era professional resurgence and personal downturn.
To my knowledge, this is the only James Brown reader to really get into the final decade of his life - when, in his late 60s, showed almost no will to slow down, despite the private traumas and disappointing record sales.
I would have appreciated more discussion of those excellent Monk-produced CDs and many more photographs from the "prime" years. This would have been consistent to the text, as well.
The addendum, a word-for-word transcript of a telephone interview with a mysterious lady (apparently first a fan who was a groupie for a day, then a constant companion), amounts to nothing, and actually deingrates the book.

Good Tribute to Mr Brown
I came across this book at the library, on the shelf with books for sale.. I was so happy to find it. I grew up with Mr. Brown, and love him dearly.He said he wasn't white or black, just people. And people have no color. Well, I believe that is true, Mr Brown. This is a wonderful book, and I learned things I never knew about him. Every thanksgiving he helped give out free turkeys, and at Christmas, was always there to help give out the toys to the kids. It is the touching story of his life,ofa man we all love and miss and he will always be remembered.

Beautiful, just beautiful
Don Rhodes has written a very beautiful biography of one of the greatest entertainers of all time...James Brown.This book covers everything, from JB's humble beginnings, dancing in front of radio station WRDW, to his various musical achievements, personal tragedies, and ultimate renaissance.The book's description of Augusta streets and landmarks will make any tourist to this city feel familiar with Augusta's history and JB's life.This book is a great achievement and one can tell that Mr. Rhodes cherished his long-time friendship with the Godfather of Soul.Any music lover will enjoy this story, and anyone not familiar with James Brown will become an instant fan.This book is destined to become a music history classic.

The Most Amazing James Brown Story Ever Told
I've been a James Brown fan for forty years, I started as one just out of my diapers, when my parents took me to see him in the Atlanta staduim in the 60's. I've read many book on the Godfather of soul and this one is truely the deepest and best one I read. I waited all my life to meet James Brown in person, and after reading this I think I have finally done it. I visisted Augusta, Georgia in September 2005 and so I was familiar with a lot of the area referenced in the book.James Brown was a man's man in every respect, he was a prophet, a leader and a man ahead of his time in music and as well as life. You will find out before he was a singer, he was truely the hardest working man period trying to pull himself up out of poverty. As an African American who dad died when I was young, James Brown became my father figure. Thousands of African Americans had that same experience too. So he was more than a singer in that respect too. When Mr. Brown wore superbad outfits, we wore super bad outfits, when he walked with his head up, we walked with our head up, when he stood up, we stood up and when he would fall, it felt like a close relative falling. Mr Brown touched all races, looking on you tube, there is a Japanese tribute band that tries to copy the master and give it out like he did. They try to match him note for note, grunt for grunt, attitude to attitude and song for song. That is why Mr. Brown could play Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Reading all the stops he made year after year was mind blowing and the book only listed a small sample of them.I never really grieved over him yet but as I was on the last few pages I cried. I cried for truely the complex gifted man he was who had fought so hard to make a better life for all the under dogs in life. He could have easily retired and took it easy but this man was on a mission, he was the living breathing robin hood of our lifetime. This book has some suprising voices in it, like his first wife Velma who gives us the real man. The fans have been waiting for some real good stuff on him and we now have it at last. Don Rhodes got really close to our Godfather and knew him well. This is a masterpiece and the James Brown book that will become the one future James Brown books will be compared too. Really this book should be used for a movie about the soul legend...Spike Lee read this one. Soul Brother number one will never be forgotten. Say it Loud, indeed. ... Read more

Product Description
The story of the night James Brown kept the peace in the wake of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and delivered hope with an immortal performance

Since James Brown’s death in December 2006, the Godfather of Soul has received stirring tributes from coast to coast. Yet few have addressed his contribution in the darkest hour of the civil rights movement. Telling the untold story of his historic Boston Garden concert of 1968, The Hardest Working Man also captures the magnificent achievements that made Brown a revolutionary icon of American popular culture.

Acclaimed journalist James Sullivan begins his stirring account by depicting the racially charged climate of Boston in the hours after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death. Brown’s concert was slated for cancellation as police geared up for mass retaliation. After Brown butted heads with the mayor, the show was allowed to go on—and his emotional, electric performance was broadcast live on local television. Though rioting erupted in more than a hundred U.S. cities that night, Boston remained quiet. Not only bringing to life that transforming show, James Sullivan also charts Brown’s incredible rise from poverty to self-made millionaire and the pivotal voice behind the signature anthem “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud,” making The Hardest Working Man a tribute to an unforgettable concert and a rousing biography of a revolutionary musician. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Book About JB
This is a great book about the Hardest Working Man in show business.If you are into JB and haven't read any of his other biographies or autobiography, this is a must read for the story of his humble beginnings and inexorable climb to the top of the soul music mountain. For musicians, the book is great in that it details the development of the JB sound and his various bands over the years. I saw the JB & Famous Flames review in 1968 on Long Island - amazing.And about 30 yrs later in Aberdeen, Scotland - different band, but still amazing - there was never anybody like JB and probably never will be.If you were in or around the Boston area when MLK was shot, you also should read this book.

James Brown: The Living Legend Lives, and Will Never Die!
At last it has been told: the improbable rise from rags to riches of the Godfather of Soul aka Soul Brother #1, Mr. James Brown.

Thanks to his proven investigative, journalistic skills, accomplished author, James Sullivan, resurrected the soul of James Brown in his latest book "The Hardest Working Man--How James Brown Saved the Soul of America".In the process, Sullivan assured us that Brown still lives, and more importantly, will never die!

While tracing the daunting stubborn hurdles, James Brown had to mount early in his life just to avoid starvation.The author traces and shares how James gradually constructed an inner strength built on the premise: if I can conceive, and believe, I can achieve! And achieve he did!

From shining shoes for pennies both in Georgia and South Carolina, to stopping race riots in Boston after Dr. King's infamous assassination, Brown refused to let hope die.Quite the opposite, through enormous determination, self-reliance, profound creativity, and unrelenting focus, James Brown despite the lack of a High School education, braved pangs of hunger, vicious jealously, and excuse-making to will himself to sustainable world wide importance.Before his demise, his fame, fortune and success rose to the level that "Look Magazine" placed the photo of the legendary James Brown on its cover with a bold challenge to the American public to find any other African American more important than Soul Brother #1.

For more details of the intricate and cosmopolitan Living Legend, "The Hardest Working Man--How James Brown Saved the Soul of America" is a must read.

By Sultana AlMansour

What You Always Wanted To Know About James Brown
One of the advantages of traveling around the world on a continuous basis is that sooner or lter one meets many of thoe persons predestined for global greatness. Such was my first and the many subsequent meetings with James Brown aka " The Godfather of Soul ! "

My first meting with him was occasioned by the most dominant record and musical promoter in the San Francisco By Area, Raymond Dobard. Mr. Dobard was one of my first legal business clients after graduating from the University School of Law at Berkeley in the early 60's. In between practicing law, moderating a popular radio and television show and becoming a founding member of a group of African American professionals, college and high school students and lay men and women who were strongly united by our colletive commitment to impact our immediate communities, if not the nation, through the internalization o our collectie mantra: " Unity, Self Help, Education, and Dignity. " ( See " Vital Speeches " July 1, 1964.

After Ray Dobard bought James Brown to be interviewed on my radio show, " The Matchline ", I decided to engage James in an in depth discussion about the sustainable future of the Black Race in America. Before long I was reasonable impressed with his insights, committment to " Unity, Self Help, Education, and Diginity ", obsession to faithfully contribute to the constructive uplit of the race, as well as his committment to use his hypnotic musical talents to promote constructive change through his soulful, expresive music. Although, from my weekly media shows, I had come to to know many well known African American nusicians and entertainers,James was a special work in progress with unlimited committment. I soon concluded that part of his determination came from his his patently deprived early upbringing;part from his from the inspiring musical tours he had mde to Africa, part from a motivating sneek preview into Black Africa/African American history, and part remained a mystery of destiny.

In time the editors of " Look Magazine " became aware of the world significance of being Mr. James Brown and his insistence to be a progressive hman role model and raised the audacious question of one of their covers, " Had James Brown Become The Most Important Black Man In America ? " And despite some political jealousy and envy within political Black U.S. leadership, his popularity continued to soar from the U.S. WhiteHouse to the four corners of the earth.

Unfortunately, few biographies featuring James Brown took the time to capture the inner personality configuration of the Godfather. The primary exception was and is: " The Hardest Working Man " by talented author,James Sullivan. By any measure, Sullivan took the time to project the elusive, unique James Brown, from the inside-out! In the process he uniquely reveals and highlights the untold story behind the attempts James made to save America and the Black American through soul power and well composed and challenging, revolution message songs that include:" SAY IT LOUD; I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD ";"DON'T B A DROP OUT"; MONEY WON'T CHANGE ME !''; " I DON'T WANT NO ONE TO GIVE ME NOTHING---OPEN UP THE DOOR AND I WILL GET IT MYSELF."

By Dr. Khalid Al-Mansour

... Read more

Product Description
In this remarkable book, Douglas Wolk brings to life an October evening in 1962, at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem: an evening at the height of Cold War tensions. In great detail, Wolk pieces together what took place (and what was recorded) that night, and illustrates beautifully the enduring power of one of James Brown’s – and popular music’s – defining moments: Live at the Apollo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An "on the good foot" storytelling of a classic live recording
A simple but effective running of the history, with comments on the individual recordings, of the songs that appear on James Browns first major album hit, "Live at the Apollo" recorded in October 1962 alongside the then occurring critical world event of the Cuban Missile Crisis, makes for an effective time capsule telling by Douglas Wolk of the making of this classic recording.

While the author veers towards the over stated at times (did the 1,500 in the audience based on the limited public news released really behave as they did based on the belief they could die in a week!) he does a much better job of nailing the history of James Brown. These include how he got to make this recording against his record company's indifference; his on balance limited hit record success to date offset by his constant touring of an all action performance, but most of all that what was on show here was one man's personal and stylistic interpretations of a suite of songs that covered black music across the 20s to the early 60s. Some songs had undergone numerous adaptations and recordings by others plus JB before the versions done here (the ripping of of other peoples songs seems almost to have been a lifelong JB hallmark). What was really being performed was an exercise where songs could only last for less than a minute to over ten minutes as JB backed by his ever tight band riding on their leaders moods and his reading of the audience emotions laid down one of the truly original live recordings made.

The fact that the LP was in popular demand for many months after to be played in full on R&B radio stations at a time when single hits were paramount was testament that something unique that connected with the black audiences of 1962/1963 had occurred and it was to be some time before JB reconnected in such a way again (and certainly never again with another live album, despite several attempts).

Wolk also does a very good expose of Brown's ego and resulting mis-treatment of all around him plus how the recording was not a true full recording from having to be adapted and edited from the true JB live revue show, which while visually spectacular would not have translated into such an effective audio format.

A story telling which is certainly "on the good foot" throughout.

Inspiring, but the detours were heavy-handed
A great short read about the live recording sessions that led to the creation of one of the seminal R&B albums. The writing is punchy, respectful, and never overwrought -- except for the glaring and jarring detours into the Cuban missile crisis. The episode is clearly relevant to the story, because the concert in question took place in roughly the same 24-hour time span that the crisis was unfolding, but while everyone in the Apollo that night may have had the crisis on their minds, the digressions into what the fighter planes and the decision makers were doing at exactly the same time that James Brown was wiping sweat off his brow as he switched gears and tore into another song are distracting and ultimately tell us little about why the crisis made the night charged. Wolk should have stuck to the performances and the music or else found a better way of weaving the crisis into the book.

Recommended pick for any avid fan of Brown
Fans of James Brown will find Douglas Wolk's slim but hard-hitting classic, Live At The Apollo: 33 1/3, brings to life Brown's performance in 1962, piecing together what took place, what was recorded that night, and Brown's musical heritage and contributions as a whole. Live At The Apollo recommended pick for any avid fan of Brown and a welcome contribution to 20th Century American Music History collections.

it's a history lesson you can dance to
the cuban missile crisis almost brought an end to life on earth as we know it. who saved the day? maybe it was j.f.k.... or maybe it was the number one soul brother james brown. douglass wolk makes a good case for the godfather of soul in this well-researched, compelling, funky good time book.

Yeeeeoooow!Hott.
Given a book-length space to fill, many magazine writers do what comes naturally: they write a book-length magazine article.Wolk, however, approaches his narrative from the top down, treating the long form with the reverence and intricate attention of a clockmaker god.His story moves chronologically in an evening's frame, but it's also shot through with a series of gears and patterns, nibble-sized pieces, and odd bits of synchronicity that align in unexpected choruses.Gliding across it all, of course, is the electric, eccentric energy of James Brown.Scrapbookers, beware: this is more than simple homage.It's a work that stands independently, with one hell of a soundtrack to boot! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

A little too"cosmetic"
The book is clear in it's explanations for the lay person, but we were looking for some basic brown fat biochemistry and it was not in there.

flushing yellow fat
Saw the doctor on a T:V:show and got interested. We have to make an effort to be healthy. I have been on this program for a few days and I feel great It is not to hard to follow.

There are better weight loss books available...
Having read quite a few weight loss books, I found this book to be one of the least useful. I have successfully lost weight and have maintained my loss. But was intrigued by the promise of the book to provide information on elusive brown fat.

Very little information is provided about "brown fat" and no real support is provided to show that the proposed diet leads to more brown fat. The author is a plastic surgeon and states that she has seen itit during operations, but if she has more knowledge about it then that, she does not provide it.

The diet outlined in the book is more structured and restrictive than most. It involves a reduced calorie diet that alternates days that are mostly carbs with days that are mostly protein. If you are able to follow the diet, you will lose weight. But I would have a very difficult time following the diet for very long.There are better diets out there. And again, no real support is provided showing that this diet (just by itself or in comparison to other diets) will cause you to gain brown fat.

Also, this book is written solely for a female audience, although there is nothing indicating this is the case in the cover or sales blurb. The exercise program provided (a significant portion of the book) is not very suitable for me. But I'm not deducting stars for this. If the book had delivered on its "brown fat" promises, I would have gladly given it 5 stars.

Finally, the book places a lot more emphasis on looks rather than health. This may be due to the author's background as a plastic surgeon.

Rather then buy this book, I recommend one of the following: Break Through Your Set Point, You on a Diet, or The Mayo Clinic Diet. Any one of those is, in my opinion, much better than this book.

Edit:

It is almost unbelievable how much bad information this book contains. Let me provide some examples:

-- p.53 "The word "carbohydrate" itselfdefines these important molecules:"carbo" = carbon and "hydrate" = water. Why are these so important? Because these are the molecules that hold water in tissues; without them, tissues shrivel like a raisin. Water in tissues = volume. And volume, as you already know, is what defines a youthful face and shape. This makes carbohydrates the key to any successful diet."

Anyone who has any knowledge of basic biology will see this as utter nonsense.

-- p.55 "Another problem is that protein does not contain any fiber"

Obviously, protein is (by definition) not dietary fiber. But this overlooks that some foods that contain protein also contain fiber.

-- p. 81 "Veggies can NEVER (in italics) make you fat"

That's not true. You can get just as fat eating high-calorie veggies (such as potatoes) as you can eating anything else.

-- p. 82 "Green apples. These are an ideal snack food, as they contain almost no sugar and are difficult to digest. They're considered to be a negative-calorie food, since it takes more calories to digest (100) than the apple contains (80) (Other negative-calorie foods are fresh apricots, cantaloupe, figs, grapefruit, mango, and oranges.)

This is complete nonsense. The most common type of green apple, the granny smith, contains the same number of calories and fiber as the most common red apple, the red delicious. Most of the other foods listed are not negative calorie either.

The Revolution Has Not Formally Taken Place
I'm only giving this book two stars because Lyons doesn't seem to say anything that can seriously hurt you, which places it above a depressingly large portion of health books.He recommends a weird food combining program (which should be the first hint that he doesn't know what he's talking about) based on the ability of brown fat to burn white fat.He backs this up with no biochemical explanation or historical exposition on the evidence, and there is a good reason why.Nutritionists are on the verge of finding certain supplements that can indeed convert white fat into brown fat, but until these findings are finalized there is nothing we can do to alter our brown fat deposits relative to white fat, other than, of course, avoid the pernicious low-fat diet scams.The book is a lot of hand-waving amidst dubious science and misleading claims. Steer clear.

Not groundbreaking but workable
The diet and exercise plans will work and are healthful whether the author's claims about "brown fat" are solid fact or no.

The diet emphasizes water, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, plus reasonable portions of meat/poultry/seafood, dairy, and nuts. Small meals often keep blood sugar levels stable. Meal prep is simple enough-- even non-cooks can manage with a weekly grocery shopping trip.

The exercise plan focuses on strength training, including some standard floor exercises and work with resistance-bands and hand-weights. The plan is time-efficient and balanced.

Although the book itself may not be "revolutionary", the plan will promote productive weight loss and overall health for those who follow it.

As someone who likes to cook, I think the meals lack pizazz. I don't think food has to be quite that simple, bland, or repetitive for weight loss to occur. Over time I'm sure I'll work out some creative alternatives that are more to my liking. On the other hand, the Pina Colada Smoothie was delicious.

I also think the practical parts of the book could have been organized in friendlier fashion so it would have been easier to see at a glance how it all works and to refer back to certain parts.

Despite my quibbles, I intend to buy a copy. (I borrowed it from my local library first.) ... Read more

Product Description
20 classics, including: Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine, Pt. 1 * I Got You (I Feel Good) * Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Pt. 1 * Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud), Pt. 1 * and more. Also includes a biography, discography, and photos! ... Read more

Product Description

On September 1, 1894, two forest fires converged on the town of Hinckley, Minnesota, trapping more than two thousand people. The fire created its own weather, including hurricane-strength winds, bubbles of plasma-like glowing gas, and 200-foot-tall flames. As temperatures reached 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, the firestorm knocked down buildings and carried flaming debris high into the sky. Two trains—one with every single car on fire—became the only means of escape. In all, more than four hundred people would die, leading to a revolution in forestry management and the birth of federal agencies that monitor and fight wildfires.

Customer Reviews (26)

Under A Flaming Sky...FANTASTIC READ!
This book was fantastic. Anybody out there who fights fire or have any interest at all, YOU SHOULD READ THIS ONE! The author is very descriptive and was very thorough in his research. Informative, educational and written very well so its a great read. Gives first hand accounts of the devistating fire that ripped through thousands of acres and killed hundreds of people in a matter of a few hours. Very clear details of the fire behavior and weather and even clearer detailed accounts exactly as survivors describe them, along with stories of heroism and very graphic details on the horrible deaths suffered by victims. I cant get over how well written this book turned out to be. Stories like this are seldom told to effectivly capture the reality of the event, but the author of Under A Flaming sky wrote with absolute greatness and did not miss a single detail. He puts the reader nearly at the scene and leaves you emotionaly connected to the victims as well as survivors of the horrible tragedy. HIGHLY RECOMMENEDED!

Under a Flaming Sky
THis was a very well written, exciting true account of a mass fire.I highly recommend it.

Terrifying and very well written story
Highest praise for this book, and I'm a hard sell.Excellent research coupled with a compelling narative.I can't speak highly enough of this terrifying story.Only fault I can find is not enough done with exploring the high possibility that Boston Colbert, the man who shot John Wilkes Booth, perished in the fire. Otherwise darn near perfect yarn.

An excellent account of fearsome disaster
The author's great-grandfather died in the fearsome fire which swept Pine County, Minnesota on Sept 1, 1894.This book does a good job of telling of that disaster, even though it is gruesome to read about what so many went through.In the Epilogue the author tells of his 2004 visit to Hinckley, and that part of the book is an effectual capstone to the account.

An Engrossing Read
I found this book to be a really good read. Even though he's recounting history it doesn't drag in any way. There is plenty of dialog which leaves me wondering how much is accurate, but it does help keep it interesting. To help the reader get a sense of the intensity and scope of the fire the author spends a page or two at various points explaining what was taking place scientifically. These passages are not too hard to grasp for the layman and help the reader understand better.

In all, I recommend this book to anyone that finds the description appealing. I definitely found it to be well-written and entertaining. ... Read more

Product Description
Establish processes that ensure the success of your project managers - andincrease the profitability of your products and services With The Handbook ofProgram Management, you'll obtain the skills to incorporate new technology andpeople into your processes while delivering improved products and services thatcontinually outpace your competition.In light of the Project ManagementInstitute's new certification program for program managers, (PgMPSM) it'scrucial that you have the understanding and processes necessary to deliverprojects on schedule, within target costs, and that meet customerexpectations.Program and project management authority Dr. James Brown helps youcreate the necessary culture that will ensure the success of your projectmanagers and teams by providing the must have insights you would only get from atrusted mentor, including:  The price of delayed decision-making Howcalculated failure can drive organizational change. Why your best people oftenmake the biggest mistakes. What the customer really needs to know (and notknow). The essence of successful execution ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Wow! Simply Astounding
Mr Brown manages, in epic form, to translate a part of his vast knowledge into 239ish pages of jam packed information for the program manager. Also every page has something powerful on it and this is a book I will reread over and over again as I make my way into the PM world.

What sets this book apart is that you can feel Mr. Brown's experience on every page. While there are many great lessons in this book (the part on meetings and buy-in are worth the price of admission) the big theme of the book is simple. Listen. Always listen. Don't let tools or second hand knowledge rule you. Get down and talk to people. Understand your organization, understand what makes your co-workers tick. From this, all his other points take off.

And what an amazing amounts of points. He doesn't dig too deep; you may need a primer on product management (or, if you've been in the trenches as long as me, you may have gathered this knowledge via osmosis). From dealing with your stakeholder, to software, to Agile, to building teams, to work load; Mr Brown runs the gamut.

If you are a program manager, or want to be one, or want to know what they do - this is an excellent place to look.

This is a must have book for all who are managing a Program, be it the first time or be they seasoned
As someone who is relative newbie when it comes to Program Management, until I came across this book, most of my colleagues and I were fumbling to describe what the role of Program Management was. The funny thing is that not only did my colleagues not know this but even our manager had no practical advice - well other thenbuild relationships. In fact this would be funny here in silicon valley if it weren't a serious problem.

Dr Brown has obviously laid out the scope for a Program Manager from his experience into 10 chapters that are easy to read and understand. You can jump into any chapter to quickly gain knowledge for area of your greatest weakness or highest priority, there after turn the knowledge into practice that fits your environment and situation. The book is a fast read and doesn't overwhelm you with jargon that is otherwise least memorable. This book greatly serves Project Managers who are taking an over the horizon, long term view of how their skills shape up to the more challenging role of managing a Program. It also educates those who are for ever confused by the organization blur created within their own company in identifying the role of a Project manager vs. a Program Manager. I have witnessed in environments that rather bank the title inflation this blurring is perpetuated by the vested powers, often untrained in the art of Project Management or Program Management, who have little interest other then forming a power pyramid and a hierarchy. In such environments have this book by your work station and then do a lunch and learn sessions with your colleagues to better shape the art of Program Management to attain highest value right where you are.

This is a must read for program managers.
I just received Mr. Brown's book and I could not put it down. This book is definitely a must read for program managers or anyone trying to bring change to an organizational culture. I marked the book up and plan to share this book with my colleagues. Mr. Brown finally put into words some of the challenges facing the program manager and the organization. I was so impressed that I had to check out his company web site and subscribed to the newsletter. I am looking forward to more books and insight from Mr. Brown.

he is talking to me
A true eye-opener. By stating what is obvious James T. Brown challenges the assumptions of daily chaotic project culture and opens up new paths for improvement. I'll quote this book quite frequently in my daily work.

Well written and accessible
(caveat- my copy of the book was a gift)
As a (contract) project manager working for mega-banks, I wanted to get a picture of what my various program/portfolio managers had to deal with, so that I could do a better job for them.

I expected, from attending one of his PMI presentations, that Dr. Brown's approach would likely be filled with common-sense, practical, reality-based information on the topic, and he happily met my expectations. This is definitely not one of those pedantic abstract doorstops that have bored me to tears as I've worked to expand my professional knowledge.

This book is very well written and well organized, with tips and anecdotal scenarios to drive important points home. Dr. Brown has done an excellent job of distilling the wisdom from his PM and related consulting career. It has a good logical flow for the reader. I could easily relate to the examples and situations described. Every chapter ends in a keystone list to remind you of the main ideas covered. I also appreciated the glossary and index provided. So many business books skip these basic courtesies to the reader. These features made it easy to return to the passages I liked and wanted to re-read.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone working in, or setting up a PMO environment. (I also recommend catching Dr. Brown the next time he's speaking at a PMI gathering near you.)

... Read more

Product Description
In this exploration of the funk groove and its unique sounds, author Anne Danielsen takes an in-depth look at this under-explored genre. Danielsen concentrates on the golden age of funk in the late 1960s and the 1970s, focusing on two of the era's artists who made a substantial impact on the landscape of popular music: James Brown and George Clinton/Parliament. Aiming to understand funk not only as objectified musical meaning but also as lived experience, she begins with the musical events themselves and draws on her experiences as both a fan and a scholar to capture how their particular organization creates the funk listener's pleasure. Danielsen further examines issues surrounding race in the construction and consumption of this music, focusing her study with how white listeners responded to funk in the 1970s, and arguing that African American music has remained a means of catharsis and of dealing with pleasures of the body. Funk's crossover to international success among listeners of pop and rock music affected both the music itself and audiences' understanding of it.Presence and Pleasure shows us how. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

academic
Very informative but difficult reading. I don't know if Funk music can be understood or "felt" when looked at from an academic or scientific point of view. My suggestion is buy the music, listen, then dance "your butt off"!! ... Read more

Product Description
James Brown has always been a fascinating, controversial figure. From his humble childhood in Georgia, he went on to change the face of American music with hit after hit on the R&B charts. And while he was a courageous public figure in a time of national strife and adversity, his personal life took many destructive turns,leaving a long and difficult path of redemption ahead of him. For the first time in well over a decade, he speaks candidly and at length about his tumultuous, incredible journey.

James Brown moves beyond his music and his much-publicized legal troubles to delve deeply into the highs and lows of his life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

ok
Not too short and not too long. detailed and specific. it makes sense, informative, and entertaining.

Mr. Brown, the one and only
A bit unpolished, but that was James Brown. He was a classy, clean, strong, raw genius. This book gets down to the real nitty gritty of "Brown." Highly recommend this book if you want to get the James Brown story in his words and his vernacular.

A Memoir Told by Mr. Brown As Only He Could Tell It...
I have read several memoirs of famous people and this one has been the best!Marc Eliot provides an awesome 37 page introduction that covers Mr. Brown's life and career.It is obvious that Marc Eliot has much admiration and respect for this complex, yet extra talented "Man's Man" (a term that Mr. Brown uses in the book that was meant to be a compliment).

I have always been a fan of James Brown, but had never known much about his personal life.Once the disconsolate news of his death hit the media on December 25, 2006, the television and papers were chock-full of positive and negative things about Mr. Brown.His fourth wife or companion rushed pell-mell to the media upon his death and caused an embarrassing blitz which has happened to him before and in this book, Mr. Brown provides a logical and probably factual explanation for the previous incidents.

Mr. Brown was the first singer to own his personal private jet and record a live album with no separation of tracks.Life's lessons taught him that the one in power is the one who makes the money and that is usually one who works for himself.The lesson learned is "power" not "rich".James Brown states in the book that Elvis got 75% of his style from him (p. 50).Little Richard discovered James Brown and his Famous Flames and is also responsible for his success.

This memoir contains so much personal and professional information.Mr. Brown gives the reader an inside look into "the good, bad, and ugly" of the music business.The indept overview of the music business that kept most artist broke, the payola scandal, and his radio station ownership experience.Things that he discussed in this book was probably quotidian for his inner circle.However, he did not have to reveal as much about his thoughts, feelings, and life to the public.That is why this is a memoir told as only he could tell it and I appreciate him leaving this book behind for generations to come.

He discussed his affiliations with the United States President and the struggles that ensued to get approved to perform in Vietnam.Not only does the reader get political and business info from The Godfather of Soul, but then he flips to the lighter side of loving cowboys and the western movie channel.Mr. Brown has Apache American Indian in his bloodline (p. 54).The details about his relationship with his birth mother was another sad chapter in his life, but he rose above it all.

Reading this book gave me the feeling that Mr. Brown was actually talking to me, sharing his wisdom, philosophy on life.My dad and James Brown both said, "At threescore and ten and counting, I have lived all the years that God allotted me" (p. 259).Mr. Brown lived his life to the fullest, he kept his pride and integrity no matter what adversity he encountered on his life's journey.The only thing this book left me hanging on was expecting his comments on the singer Lynn Collins and more details on the black movie soundtrack from the 1970s.

In summary, if you are looking for a book about James Brown that is apropos... this is it.

By:
Pam Jarmon-Wade

A Well-Deserved Honor Long Delayed.
It's about time James Brown "feels good."In his hometown, he has been forgiven and made icon status which he should have had all the time.Born in Augusta, Georgia, he achieved fame with his style of music and his talent; however, his strict discipline at home (a Southern thing, all men in the South acted that way) got him bad press and as a result he had to do some jail time.Many people turned their backs on him and the right people did not come to his defense.

We had a James Brown in a small town where I lived in lower Middle Tennessee.He told me how he could get into the echelons of the music world when he made the appointment using his own name.He was a music producer, he said, but they were expecting the larger-than-life singer.When a young genius moved to the country near that town, he wrote a letter to the editor asking why we don't even acknowledge the birthplace of the "Godfather of Soul."Those of us who knew the local James Brown had a good laugh, so I called the young fellow and told him that our James Brown was never a criminal, had actually run for Mayor two or three times; he said that the singer's hometown was listed in the Guiness Book of Records as being where we lived.I checked and he was right!So I wrote to that publication to let them know they were using the address of the wrong person.They replied to me that every year they sent out mail asking if he still lived at that address.He did!He was James Brown, but he was not THE James Brown.I wonder how many others have done the same.

Now, finally, he is getting the treatment from Augusta he deserved forty years ago, a statue, a music festival, and a street named after him.To top it off, the arena there will be named after their favorite local resident.It's time to give him back his pride.What he did is what most Southern men did and got away with.Being a celebrity, he had to pay the price for being born in the South.

I'm a big JB fan....but.....
I am a GIGANTIC James Brown fan, I have 100 albums, 130 singles, I've met him 5 times, seen him live over 100 times since 1971, had lunch with him in NYC, and I am the 'Paul' in the JB section of Gerri Hirshey's nice history of soul music NOWHERE TO RUN, but if this book was written by James Brown or if he even had much to tell the writer, I'll eat my refrigerator. It is so full of errors that it is laughable. One of the most glaring errors was when Mr. Brown 'supposedly' said, "SAY IT LOUD was where funk started" or something to that effect. That is so ridiculous. James Brown would NEVER say such a thing! Any student of funk knows that COLD SWEAT was the quintessentional funk piece and it is not even mentioned in the book!!! The style of Mr. Brown's sentences that are attributed to him sound NOTHING like him. I have no idea why this was put out. The other 'autobiography' written over a decade ago was more relevent and much better written, THE GODFATHER OF SOUL by JB and Bruce Tucker. Someone, (Alan Leeds?) needs to write a 600 page comprehensive biography of Mr. Brown with much more detail.
... Read more

Product Description
Many people were elated when Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in May 1954, the ruling that struck down state-sponsored racial segregation in America's public schools.Thurgood Marshall, chief attorney for the black families that launched the litigation, exclaimed later, "I was so happy, I was numb."The novelist Ralph Ellison wrote, "another battle of the Civil War has been won.The rest is up to us and I'm very glad. What a wonderful world of possibilities are unfolded for the children!"
Here, in a concise, compelling narrative, Bancroft Prize-winning historian James T. Patterson takes readers through the dramatic case and its fifty-year aftermath.A wide range of characters animates the story, from the little-known African-Americans who dared to challenge Jim Crow with lawsuits (at great personal cost); to Thurgood Marshall, who later became a Justice himself; to Earl Warren, who shepherded a fractured Court to a unanimous decision.Others include segregationist politicians like Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas; Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon; and controversial Supreme Court justices such as William Rehnquist and Clarence Thomas.
Most Americans still see Brown as a triumph--but was it?Patterson shrewdly explores the provocative questions that still swirl around the case.Could the Court--or President Eisenhower--have done more to ensure compliance with Brown?Did the decision touch off the modern civil rights movement?How useful are court-ordered busing and affirmative action against racial segregation?To what extent has racial mixing affected the academic achievement of black children? Where indeed do we go from here to realize the expectations of Marshall, Ellison, and others in 1954?Amazon.com Review
In one of the most explosive legal decisions of the century, Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that racial segregation in America's public schools was unconstitutional. The chief attorney for the African American families who initiated the legal challenge was Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first black person to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. In this brief, detailed book, historian James Patterson reconstructs the complex history of the watershed 1954 case, from its legal precursors to its troubling legacy. "To be sure, Brown called for changes that the Court itself could not enforce," he writes. "In time, however, some of those changes came to pass, even in schools, those most highly sensitive of institutions."

Patterson outlines the stories of several influential pre-Brown cases and details the thinking and exploits of the legal minds involved with Brown, including Marshall and Chief Justice Earl Warren. He also follows the various responses to the decision by those most affected by it, including bigoted Arkansas governor Orval Faubus as well as President Dwight Eisenhower. More than a simple chronology, Brown v. Board of Education raises many questions about America's unfinished business of truly democratizing its educational system once and for all. Both instructive and disturbing, this book calls for us to question whether we will turn back the clock or demand movement forward. --Eugene Holley Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A great start to understanding the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education
James Patterson adds an excellent addition to the Pivotal moments in American history series with Brown v. Board of Education. This book explores the results of Brown and how it shaped civil rights in the post Brown era. While of course focusing primarily on schools, Patterson also takes a look at how Brown emboldened groups like the NAACP, caused the rise of the more militant civil rights group by the failure to implement Brown and shows how Brown changed the views of those who went through it.The book does not just end with Brown II but goes on to look at the busing cases and the efforts of several legislatures to implement plans to uphold school desegregation.It examines the tactics of extremist white southerners to keep schools segregated and posits some interesting ideas about how Brown changed urbanization and may (at least in the south) have encouraged a second wave of white migration to the suburbs.Overall though it is a thorough analysis of the post actions that the Brown decision derived.

My one complaint about this book and the reason for the four stars is that it says very little about the actual arguments of the case. While providing a background of the key players in the case there is little information about the oral and written arguments presented to the Supreme Court.That being said given that the series tries to give the most amount of information in the shortest number of pages possible I would bump it to 4.5 stars.

Fast Shipping and great book!!
Book arrived in great condition and arrived quickly. I recommend this book to anyone interested in race or the Brown v. Board of Education Case.

A terrific and thorough review of Brown et al.
James T. Patterson's Brown v. Board of Education is an exceedingly well researched historical work on the pivotal cases faced on all judicial levels in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s regarding segregation in our nation's schools.Professor Patterson masterfully writes on not just the legal implications of the landmark decision(s) in Brown but also in regard to their social impact.He puts into a greater racial and societal context not only the meaning of Brown but also the strategies of Thurgood Marshall and his associates in deciding to bring before the Court when many other challenges to Jim Crow could have been argued with much legal and moral merit.

Patterson tirelessly, but interestingly, cites case after case and puts each before the reader in the context of a broader societal consequence.He dispassionately argues the merit and challenges of desegregation as society was changing at a precipitous rate with "white flight" from our urban centers to affluence and the ability to "avoid" integration with the availability of private schools obviously not covered by Brown or the 14th Amendment.A theme seemingly in most, if not all, of Patterson's writings on the American 20th Century is the effect of expectations of the populous.Indeed his wonderful contribution to the Oxford Series of United States History is entitled "Grand Expectations".It is interesting how he weaves that theme into this much more specific narrative."This is another way of reiterating an essential truth about Brown: so many larger postwar forces- rising expectations and restlessness among blacks; slowly changing white attitudes about racial segregation; the Cold War, which left Jim Crow America vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy when it claimed to lead the Free World - were impelling the nation townard liberalization of its racial practices.

This is a great book and is part of the Oxford Series of Pivotal Moments in American History.To state the utter obvious, the reader should be aware that this "moment" is still very much ongoing and, as such, this book is much broader, out of intellectual necessity, than one, or really two, Supreme Court decisions.

Desegregation and Brown v. Board - worth the read
This is really a must read book for anyone interested in the issues surround desegregation and the efforts by Thurgood Marshall and others to end such practices in America's schools.It also is a very vivid reminder that courts and lawsuits can only go so far, and in the end it is people and their institutions that must be changed as well.Did Brown achieve all that it was hoped that it would - the author argues that it didn't, but that it did lay the foundation for tremendous change in racial relations during the last century. The author also helps to place the decision of Brown in context with other legal and political events that help the reader understand what was the source of resistence in various parts of the US to school desegregation and subsequent busing endeavors.Well worth reading and keeping on your shelves.

America's Second Revolution
Patterson succeeds in writing a very different book than Kruger's unequaled "Simple Justice."While Simple Justice told the story of how Brown v. Board of Education came to be, Paterson asks whether Brown should have been.

After giving a brief history of Brown (covering, in summary fashion, much of the ground covered by Kruger), Patterson examines the aftermath of Brown.The question Patterson addresses throughout the book is whether Brown marked a step forward in civil rights.

Patterson successfully debunks the argument that Brown was a step backwards.As he says, anyone who thinks that the country was better off before Brown had better buy a two way ticket if he wants to go back in time, because he will want to turn right around and come back.Before Brown, most black children were educated in tarpaper shacks, by grossly underpaid teachers, with no supplies, and even less respect.

Did Brown solve all problems?Of course not.As Patterson notes, what Brown does do is prove that there are limits to the power of the courts to accomplish social change.However, the Supreme Court did set an unequivocal moral tone, which set the stage for the civil rights movement, which (building on the constitutional foundation built by Brown) changed the world we all live in.

Has racism ended?No.But no one should expect any Supreme Court decision (or even a series of decisions spanning less than 25 years) to undo the racial history of this country which had taken 400 years to build.The real shame is that beginning in the late 70's, the courts, Congress, and the President have all worked to reverse the moral tone set in Brown.Unfortunately, they have succeeded all too well.But one can not fairly blame that on the Supreme Court's decision in Brown.

A thought provoking book which should be read by anyone who is interested in the history of race relations in the second half of the 20th Century. ... Read more

Product Description
Prototype, James Brown (White)'s first novel, is the story of Murphy and J who, released from high school, are stranded in limbo between childhood and middle age.In a collage of moments and memories, the narrative charts each course of escape. Murphy becomes an accidental revolutionary. J works in an office. Sometimes important stuff happens in the suburbs too.This is the split second when failure and ascension are equally probable. This is what happens between photographs. This is the story that happens to all of us.Prototype is published under ReWrit's Parallel Publishing license. Just as stories of old evolved with each telling, readers are invited to supplement and modify the story as they see fit. Such edits will be included in successive editions of the narrative. ... Read more

Product Description
During the past 60 years, the number of chemical disasters worldwide from military, occupational, and environmental sources has risen at an alarming rate. The profound controversy surrounding many chemicals makes objective analysis nearly impossible. Yet now more than ever—with the daily exposure to a wide range of chemicals and the increased threat of chemical terrorism—it is critical that we understand the role of chemicals in causing psychiatric illness.

Unlike related books, this remarkable reference is intended specifically for psychiatric applications and is thus the definitive sourcebook for the many professionals called on to respond to these events.

This work stands alone as the first on this topic to be written by a psychiatrist and the first to bring together the military, occupational, and environmental exposures causing psychiatric illness, including multiple chemical sensitivities, mass hysteria, radiation exposures, community stress reactions, and Gulf War and other syndromes.

Unique highlights include

• A summary of the reported psychiatric symptoms attributed to each chemical class (chemical weapons, pesticides, fumigants, metals, solvents, gases, PCBs, Agent Orange, and other miscellaneous chemicals) in tables for easy reference. We use personal care products, take prescription drugs, pump gasoline, drink alcohol, and spray insecticides as part of our everyday lives. Yet rarely do we realize that significant exposures to the chemicals described in this book—many of which we are exposed to in daily activities—can damage the central nervous system, causing psychiatric illness.
• A comprehensive bibliography, in every chapter, of all the important material in English-language medical journals and books that has appeared on this subject since the late 19th century. These bibliographies cover everything from the first published reports of the dangers of carbon disulfide in the French rubber industry—dangers that American medicine ignored for years—through more recent large-scale chemical exposures that have serious long-term consequences. (e.g., Love Canal).
• The latest information about terrorist and military uses of chemical weapons—of critical relevance in psychiatry today—from World War I combatants exposed to chlorine, phosgene, mustard gas, arsenic, and cyanide to the first organophosphate, or nerve, gases (such as tabun and sarin) developed by the Germans before and during World War II (and used by Iraq in the Gulf War and by a religious cult in the terrorist subway attacks in Tokyo and Matsumoto, Japan).

Quite simply, this book is a "must have" for psychiatric and medical professionals everywhere, with extended appeal among laypersons such as environmental/consumer advocates, attorneys, insurance professionals, industrial hygienists, disaster planners, and medical librarians. ... Read more

Product Description
An account of Fourth World peoples within a First World nation, Tribal Government Today, Revised Edition, is a critical analysis of the contemporary progress of Indian tribes toward self-government and economic sufficiency. Focusing on seven reservations in Montana representing the diverse opportunities and problems facing Indian tribes in the West, this book approaches tribal government from the twin perspectives of reservation politics and the legal context within which reservation conflicts must be solved.

Unlike previous studies of Indian politics, Tribal Government Today is neither a critique of American Indian policy over the years nor an analysis of federal, state, and tribal jurisdictional ambiguities. The authors – a political scientist, a lawyer, and a historian – focus instead on the distinctive political culture that has evolved on each reservation in terms of the reservation settings, governmental structures and procedures, and a particular brand of politics. The critical inquiry is how far the reservations are from genuine self-determination and whether that goal is impossibility for some. The authors conclude with suggestions for reforming tribal government within three main areas: the separation of powers, the role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and tribal acceptance of the concept of fundamental law.

The contents include: The Contours of Reservations Politics, Indian Law and Tribal Government, The Blackfeet: Their Own Government to Help Them, The Crow: A Politics of Rick, The Northern Cheyenne: A Politics of Values, The Fort Peck Reservation: The Factor of Leadership, The Fort Belknap Reservation: The Reality of Poverty, The Rocky Boy’s Reservation: A Struggle for Government, The Flathead Reservation: A Struggle for Government, The Flathead Reservation: From Enclave to Self-Government, and Reflection on Tribal Government.

There has been surprisingly little writing about the condition of contemporary tribal government. Library shelves are filled with works on other American and foreign governments, but an inquirer must learn about tribal government incidentally and in piecemeal fashion. This state of scholarship is regrettable because of the importance of the modern Indian self-determination movement. Reservation politics certainly affect the quality of life in Indian communities, and the outlook for Indian self-determination cannot be assessed without an understanding of tribal government. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easily the best source on tribal governments
This is a model of how to write about tribal politics today.It is sympathetic yet balanced, and devoid of ideological posturing.The authors are a political scientist, a historian, and a lawyer, and they bring their combined backgrounds to the study of government on Montana's seven Indian reservations.

They find success stories such as Fort Peck and Flathead, and failures of governance coexisting with potential wealth, such as the Crow.Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap represent the all-too-common depressing story of a community trapped in a cycle of poverty.The Northern Cheyenne case is particularly interesting because they argue that politics reflects a choice between two values (economic development versus traditional values), and the tribe has legitimately decided against development.

The focus throughout the book is squarely on politics on the reservation.Outsiders-- whether natural resources corporations, the State of Montana, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs-appear in the book when they interfere in reservation affairs, but the authors emphasize the choices that Native Americans make (or fail to make) for themselves.Though they do not say so directly, the authors' guiding light is really the Federalist Papers: constitutionalism, a separation of powers, legitimacy and effective leadership are all important in governance. One might criticize this stance as a form of intellectual imperialism, though when one sees the failures of the Crow reservation in particular, it's clear that a greater concern for these institutional rules would be useful regardless of culture.

The reservations have 2000-7000 resident members each, making them the size of small towns in population terms. One might ask whether the conventional categories of municipal government (mayor and council, town administrator, etc.) would be useful models for revised tribal constitutions, making due allowance for tribal sovereignty and cultural distinctiveness.

Great book on a largely unexplored topic
In the study of contemporary Aboriginal peoples, this book is a breath of fresh air. I am a second year Native Studies and Canadian Studies double-major at Trent University in Canada. Most books dealing with tribal government and modern native people talk about Native conflicts with the European colonizers and the US government. While this is certainly a worthy topic and one that needs to be brought to attention of far more people throughout the world, this book answers a question that has been left untouched: "Do these tribal governments promote soverignty and do they respresent their people in a positive way?" I find this book, which focused specifically on the Montana Reservations, invaluable for three reasons. The first is that it makes important distinctions between the different tribes and forms of government, thus dispelling the myth that all Native tribes and people think alike and/or face the same circumstances. Second, the book talks about the phenomenon of conflict within tribes, as well as conflict between tribal governments and their members. It does not ignore the effect that outside policies and peoples have had on tribal governments, but it is not the main focus of the text. This has largely been ignored in academic scholarship, and this reveals how complex contemporary Native society is and also a good starting point for other explorations, such as Native activism that deals specifically with their tribal governments. Finally, the book is humble in its demeanor, which is unfortunately, becoming more uncommon in academic scholarship today(i.e. Ward Churchill). The authors are non-Native, and admit that they are NOT trying to provide a definitive answer or conclusion for tribes, but are simply trying to provoke further examination and discussion on the topic. They never claim to hold an academic or intellectual monopoly or superiority over others. Overall, this book a refreshing view of Native peoples, their contemporary governments, and the issues that plague Indian Country. It is also interesting for myself in seeing what the future might hold for Canadian Native tribes, who are still struggling to obtain soverignty and self-government.

A much-needed addition.
This compilation provides students and professionals with a fine overview of 20th century politics in Montana.Recommended for upper-level undergrads, graduate students, and those seeking a deeper understanding ofa legacy of injustice.A must! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Preteen Friendly
Very kid friendly tells a stork without adding unecessary content that would be a deterant for parents.Great Job

Good, readable book for young boys
My son had to do a book report on a favorite character. He loves R and B so he picked Chris Brown. I was happy that this book was descent and did not talk about all of the materialism that Rap and Hip Hop seems to be into. When I asked if he still wanted the book after the report was over he gave me an enthusiastic, "YES!!" Chris Brown seems to be an upstanding role model and for my nine year old boy in this crazy world, I am good with that!

So, you wanna get middle grade students to read???
I happened to be visiting the school from where I retired and saw kids scrambling to check out some new books.I asked the media specialist why where they all so excited.She informed me that ever since she got the set in the kids have been arguing over who would read the most in the series.

The 25-book set, including a 26th one exploring the history of hip-hop, gives biographies of some of the most popular artists, past and present, in the musical genre.

Browsing the Chris Brown title, I found the book to be informative, challenging, and most entertaining as it profiles the young singer, one of the hottest acts on the contemporary scene.Profusely illustrated with photographs of Brown and associates, family, and friends, the book also has highlighted vocabulary with an explanatory glossary in the book's appendix.

Never condescending to the young reader, the book treats the reader with respect and has text that is engaging and informative.The book also shows the artist in a most positive light.

Each book is written in the same manner and should be a mainstay in schools across the country.

Others in the series profile the following:
50 Cent, Ashanti, Beyonce', Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, Eminem, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J, Ludacris, Nelly, Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, Reverend Run (Run-D.M.C.), Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Usher, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and the aforementioned "Hip-Hop: A Short History." ... Read more

Product Description
This volume showcases the uniquely thorough and simple guidance of James Beard and Helen Evans Brown on how to take the best of the kitchen and dining room to the great outdoors. The book features recipes and techniques for barbecuing and grilling and offers ideas for picnics and cooking on camping trips. "As complete a book on outdoor cookery as one can find."--Chicago Tribune. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Classic but never bettered
Years ago I purchased a paperback edition of this book and it taught me how to lift my steaks and chicken breasts to a higher level plus it has salads and other accompaniments that also stand out a bit.This was where I learned to force an herbed butter under the skin of a chicken breast to maximize flavor and where I found that blue cheese and fresh rosemary lifted a good steak even higher on the ladder of tasty grilled cuisine.I just had to purchase an original hard cover to preserve my access to these recipes.The original binding on my copy stood up well but I do not see signs that it was used all that much.Contemporary grilling books are only different; not better and this book bears republishing.

Good butnot great
If you all ready Have Beard on Barbeque or Cook It Out Dors ther is very little new here.I collect all James Beard books I can find and this one is well writen, with several great recipes but since he wrote so much about out door cooking very little here is not in other books. ... Read more