Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black
A memoir about a boy raised as white who discovers that he is Black.
Work Information
The color line turns unexpectedly inside a family story.
Although deeply personal, the memoir shows concretely how racial categories shape a life in the United States. Its quiet prose turns delay and discovery into a powerful arc of self-understanding.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Plume
- Published
- 1996-02-01
- Pages
- 304 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 13.5 x 2 x 20.3 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9780452275331
- ISBN-10
- 0452275334
- Price
- 1261 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/History/Americas/United States/State & Local
“Heartbreaking and uplifting… a searing book about race and prejudice in America… brims with insights that only someone who has lived on both sides of the racial divide could gain.”— Cleveland Plain Dealer “A triumph of storytelling as well as a triumph of spirit.”—Alex Kotlowitz, award-winning author of There Are No Children Here As a child in 1950s segregated Virginia, Gregory Howard Williams grew up believing he was white. But when the family business failed and his parents’ marriage fell apart, Williams discovered that his dark-skinned father, who had been passing as Italian-American, was half black. The family split up, and Greg, his younger brother, and their father moved to Muncie, Indiana, where the young boys learned the truth about their heritage. Overnight, Greg Williams became black. In this extraordinary and powerful memoir, Williams recounts his remarkable journey along the color line and illuminates the contrasts between the black and white worlds: one of privilege, opportunity and comfort, the other of deprivation, repression, and struggle. He tells of the hostility and prejudice he encountered all too often, from both blacks and whites, and the surprising moments of encouragement and acceptance he found from each. Life on the Color Line is a uniquely important book. It is a wonderfully inspiring testament of purpose, perseverance, and human triumph. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
Gregory Howard Williams is an attorney, law school professor, and the former President of the University of Cincinnati (2009–2012) and the City College of New York (2001–2009). He is the author of Life on the Color Line.
Reviews
-
Captivating
This book is just overwhelming. This insightful and hair-spinning story will make you laugh, cry, smile gasp, and sigh until the very end. It is so fulfilling. You will be doing yourself an advantage by reading this book. It says a lot that we have to learn from in our rapidly growing cosmopoilitan and multicural world.In the manner of DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE,THE COLOR OF WATER, this book captured the essence of life's meaning.
-
An amazing true story
This book had me laughing, crying and despairing of humanity only to be raised up in hope again by people's kindness. There is nothing further I can add to the other positive reviews given by others. This book is extremely well-written and you feel like you are there at the time the author was going through his experiences. A remarkable book and a keeper.
-
Big Shoulders!
I will forever treasure this book as so very few books stop me in my tracks and force me to take a step back. Prior to reading Life on the Color Line I thought it was impossible for anyone, particularly a white person, to understand the black experience if they were not black. Sympathize certainly, and empathize maybe, but actually know it... no way. Greg Williams is the first man who proved me wrong in this thought. This is a dynamic memoir. Each time I look at Greg's smiling face on the cover reduces me to tears. Makes me think, what if there were no people in the world like his father, and mother, and Miss Dora, and the many people of Muncie... would there be a drive to help others? Would it alter they way we compete? Extolling another demographic of social intolerance intrinsic to the individual and collective human need to feel worthy... be superior? Would it ever lead a man such as Mr. Williams to bring his experiences to positions of influence that inspire us to take that step back to see further from a deeper scope? Outside of appreciating the tremendously uplifting premise, I laughed the hardest about the rooster and that dang Buster kissing President Kennedy! Just as I did, Greg found a way to find humor in some of his father's embarrassments, which otherwise may have left him powerless to become the man he became. The greatest penchants however, were the numerous lessons he took from his father, and Miss Dora. There just aren't enough words to express what a spiritually grounded woman Miss Dora was. So much is contained in this book. No word is wasted. Every page rocks with raw emotion. Life on the Color Line is an absolute inspirational must read.
-
American Hero
Life on the Color Line is an inspirational account of an extraordinary life. I was drawn to the book when I learned my neighbor Sonny Sage, an outstanding quarterback for Richmond High School in Indiana, was mentioned in the story. Little did I know that I was about to read one of the best books of my life. The author details his journey from the most meager of beginnings in a manner that has all the drama of a novel; he possesses that essential tool of any successful lawyer---a memory that includes details of conversations, scenes and situations. His utter surprise when his father tells him that he and his brother are black; his gritty poverty; his refusal to give up or give in; his will to succeed; his love of his family despite their many flaws; his love of those who raised him and his recounting of their many selfless acts---gripping scenes that will move most readers from tears to joy. I recommend this story of an heroic individual to any reader who desires to experience a detailed and motivational review of one man who had every reason to fail, but decided instead to succeed beyond all expectations. This book should be required reading for today's teenagers; it will direct young readers toward success regardless of circumstance.
-
Triumph over prejudice and adversity - through choice and diligence.
This book is an amazing account of human nature, its prejudices, misfortunes and finally triumph through choices and hard work. I have found it enormously inspiring and am currently passing it on to any that might be so inspired and educated. A wonderful read!!
-
Five Stars
Item as described, No problems. Would buy from this vendor again.