Junior's Leg: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Yippee! Another book in the Meely LaBauve trilogy

bawdy, engaging bayou reprobate reluctantly redeems himself

Funny and raw!

...

What a great read!

Junior's Leg: A Novel
Ken Wells
Manufacturer: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Logan's Storm: A Novel

Meely LaBauve

Water for Elephants: A Novel

ASIN: 0375760326
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Book Description

Fifteen years after he tormented fellow students at Catahoula Bayou School, Junior Guidry is broke, drunk, one-legged, and living in a wreck of a trailer on the edge of a snake-infested swamp. He's survived an oil-rig accident that would've killed most men but, with the help of a good lawyer, made him rich instead. But he's squandered his fortune on drink, blackjack, womanizing, and brawling, leaving a wake of wrecked cars and friendships, not to mention lost or stolen wooden legs. Then the mysterious Iris Mary Parfait enters his life. She's on the run from a tragic childhood and a bad, bad man. When news reaches Junior that a bar owner with Mob connections has posted a $100,000 bounty on Iris's head because she knows too much about him, Junior realizes he could regain his fortune—but at what cost?

Narrated in Junior's unvarnished voice, Junior's Leg takes the reader on a singular journey through the mind of a troubled man. It is at turns unsettling, ribald, sexy, and poignant—a bold stroke of storytelling that ultimately plumbs the possibilities of love and redemption, even for as unlikely a candidate as Junior.

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

"One of the most compelling voices in fiction of the last decade" (Los Angeles Times Book Review) takes readers back to the bayou in this darkly hilarious tale of a bully, his comeuppance, and his one last chance at redemption.

Customer Reviews:

Yippee! Another book in the Meely LaBauve trilogy.......2003-08-30

Junior Guidry, the creepy bully from Meely LaBauve (2000), takes the lead in this book, which takes place 15 after ML ended. Now sporting a wooden leg, Junior is more despicable than ever, a drunk who finds himself taken on as 'a cause' by Iris Mary Parfait. Herself on the run from the law after she killed a dude in self-defense, she starts trying to get Junior to mend his ways. When he discovers he can get some cash by turning her in - but realizes he might be falling in love with her - things get mighty complicated.
Full of Cajun dialect, humor, honest, and most of all compassion, Junior's Leg is a worthy step-brother book to Meely LaBauve.

bawdy, engaging bayou reprobate reluctantly redeems himself.......2003-02-07

In his debut novel "Meely LaBauve," Ken Wells established himself as an affectionate and wryly observant chronicler of life in bayou Louisiana. His sequel, "Junior's Leg" is nothing less than extraordinary. Capturing the essence of this distinctive culture through language and razor-sharp characterization, Wells not only creates a larger-than-life protagonist, but infuses his story with genuine compassion, grief and wisdom. His protagonist, a drunken, ill-educated, perpetually sexually aroused reprobate, Junior Guidry, grapples with issues of identity, purpose and love without even knowing it. Junior easily captures the heart of his audience; his rough-hewn sense of humor, his abject acceptance of all the crud life seems to throw at him, his utter shock at discovering his heart -- all his perilous, skewed attempts at understanding his predicaments reveal a bayou everyman.

Mr. Wells is wise enough to allow Junior to tell his own story in his own words, and Wells gracefully incorporates the patois of the spoken word, the incredibly rich idioms of the bayou, and the sharp, spicy tang that a storyteller utilizes to make events into fable. On the surface, "Junior's Leg" is an incredibly funny story, but, just below, where the gators and snakes live, resides a serious commentary about dissolution, despair and despondency. It is one of the delightful paradoxes of the novel that its protagonist, so thoroughly stupid and self-destructive, discovers the ability to redefine himself in spite of (or perhaps because of) alcoholism, lack of education and prejudice.

In this sense, "Junior's Leg" joins hands with the greatest coming-of-age novels of our national experience. It doesn't matter that its protagonist has already reached, and long sense passed, the age of adulthood. The wreckage of Junior's life, movingly recounted in his own words, becomes the prelude to the pivotal event of the novel: his accidental encounter with an albino woman with a tattered, burdened past. The confluence of her virtue with his vinegar, her hope with his despair, her confidence with his fatalism result in a powerful, compelling story.

"Junior's Leg" affirms all that is noble about our American character. Its author, Ken Wells, writes with the best type of convictions: that common people may instruct us to great truths, that language can delight and elevate, that ironic humor and wry laughter may well be the best antidotes to sadness and loneliness.

Funny and raw!.......2002-11-01

Junior is a real (curse word) but I'll be darned if he isn't one of the funniest characters I've ever read. Written in Cajun drawal, Wells' book is a real feast. My only problem with it is, the ending seemed like it didn't know how it wanted to come together. Trying this, failing it - throwing that in, missing the mark - until finally, a culmination that just should have come earlier than it did. I understand that Junior appears in some other books written by Wells and I plan to check them out.

..........2002-10-24

Junior is the meanest person in the Bayou. Foul mouthed with a foul attitude, life can just about get swallowed by the shark who ate his leg as far as Junior is concerned. Until Iris Mary breaks into his trailer. She thinks it is abandoned until she sees Junior crumpled up in a drunken slup. She cleans up Junior and the trailer, throws up all the bottles of liquor and makes gumbo. She is on the run from the law, and Junior is on the run from life. When the law catches up to them, you will not be able to put this book down. I stayed up all night to see how it would turn out and I was not disappointed.
This book mad me laugh out loud in certain places. And I found myself holding my breath in suspense in others. If you don't read this book you will be sorry because it is well worth the read.

What a great read!.......2002-05-02

Ken Wells has done it again! Meely LaBauve was a good book, espcecially for someone originally from La. But Junior's Leg is even better. I've known lots of people like Junior, who never seem to be able to grow up. I've often wondered if life ever did make them mature. With this book, I've seen it happen. Poor Junior has had a rough life, but everything that happens is his own fault. The character is gross, but funny at the same time. Iris Mary is a little too good to be true, but she is exactly what Junior needs in his miserable life. This book had me laughing out loud, and brought back so many memories from my youth in Louisiana. At one point Junior describes a mobile home park as a "trailer court". That's a term that was very common back then, but that politically correct people no longer use.
If you want a book that is funny, thought-provoking, tough, and tender, read this one. You won't regret it!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

So much more than that.

horrible

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Armageddon Run (Endworld, No 7)
David Robbins
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Men's Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Spartan Run

Nevada Run/Miami Run (Endworld Double)

New York Run (Endworld, No 10)

Atlanta Run/Memphis Run (Endworld Double)

ASIN: 0843925272

Customer Reviews:

So much more than that........2003-07-30

What book did those two read? The ENDWORLD series
is rightfully considered a Scifi rollercoaster of thrills and chills that serves as window dressing to its underlying
examination of various human philosophies. The interaction of the characters are as fundamental as the action. Humor is another prime component. The initial eight books comprise an
arc that delves into so much more than mere 'killing', space does not permit a thorough examination. Suffice it to say that
if you like books that make you think, the ENDWORLD series is for you.

horrible.......1999-11-18

Mostly its killing. I like killing as much as the next man, but in this book it is so unrealistic that it isn't even exciting. Just boom!Dead.Boom!Dead.Boom!Dead.Boom!Dead.That's basically the whole book.

Kill! Kill! Kill!.......1998-08-24

If you like gory, senseless violence, like I do, read this book. More killing then a Chicago stockyard. The plot's not all that great -- basicly just a bunch of guys runnin' around killing everything that moves, but if you like that kind of stuff, this book is a must-have.

Average customer rating:

Product of a bygone age
A good "B" read. Not great literature, but fast paced.
Post-nuclear action galore!
Escapist fantasy, nothing more, nothing less
Poorly written but I find the subject thought provoking

Armageddon Run (The Guardians #5)
Richard Austin
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0515085987

Customer Reviews:

Product of a bygone age.......2001-11-06

This book was published back in the 1980's under the 'mens adventure' category. It is pretty light reading, but it provides a good source of entertainment about an interesting scenario (post nuclear world).

In short, something to read and enjoy and not take too seriously.

If you like books about war that you don't have to take too seriously then scout one of these aging paperbacks out.

A good "B" read. Not great literature, but fast paced........1999-07-31

Its not in the class of Clancey or Bond, but this is a good read in the "B" category (like OK B or direct to vid movies). I read a lot of military and techno thrillers, and this one has enough of a "feel" of reality and fast enough pace with a sci-fi flavour to have me hunting the others in the series.

Post-nuclear action galore!.......1999-07-27

This is for the people who love good old action/adventure with great characters. The small group of guardians are formed after WWIII breaks out and it is a fun read, and pretty damn believable.

Escapist fantasy, nothing more, nothing less.......1998-08-29

I have read every book in the series, a number of times. It is not high literature, it isn't meant to be. It is a fast paced series with gratuitous amounts of violence and a fair amount of sex. If you like books that don't require a lot of thought, then give it a try.

Poorly written but I find the subject thought provoking.......1998-08-13

I have read 6 of the 8 in the series, the author does a very good job of bringing the books and characters together. To a normal HS Educated reader that has served any time as a Grunt they will be slow but enjoyable. To the Elite it will be jibberish.

ENDWORLD: The River Falls Run; The Fox Run; Twin Cities Run; The Kalispell Run; Dakota Run; Citadel Run; Armageddon Run; Denver Run; Capital Run; New York Run; Liberty Run; Houston Run; Anaheim Run; Seattle Run; Nevada Run; Miami Run; Atlanta Run; Memphis

Average customer rating:

ENDWORLD: The River Falls Run; The Fox Run; Twin Cities Run; The Kalispell Run; Dakota Run; Citadel Run; Armageddon Run; Denver Run; Capital Run; New York Run; Liberty Run; Houston Run; Anaheim Run; Seattle Run; Nevada Run; Miami Run; Atlanta Run; Memphis
David (David L. Robbins) Robbins
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRZ08W

First 13 Titles in ENDWORLD Series (1-13): The River Falls Run- The Fox Run - Twin Cities Run - The Kalispell Run - Dakota Run - Citadel Run - Armageddon Run - Denver Run - Capital Run - New York Run - Liberty Run - Houston Run- Anaheim Run

Average customer rating:

First 13 Titles in ENDWORLD Series (1-13): The River Falls Run- The Fox Run - Twin Cities Run - The Kalispell Run - Dakota Run - Citadel Run - Armageddon Run - Denver Run - Capital Run - New York Run - Liberty Run - Houston Run- Anaheim Run
David L. Robbins
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000SQS5CQ

Product Description

Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.

Average customer rating:

Informative

great help

Unsophisticated

Very Good Introduction to Kitchen Lore. Not Best Science

The New Kitchen Science: A Guide to Know the Hows and Whys for Fun and Success in the Kitchen
Howard Hillman
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Reference | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
Cooking, Food & Wine | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained

Culinary Fundamentals

The Science of Cooking

The Making of a Chef: Mastering Heat at the Culinary Institute

ASIN: 061824963X

Book Description

In this revised and updated edition of the book that thousands of cooks have turned to when they have a question, the science authority Howard Hillman provides the latest findings about everything from cooking methods, equipment, and food storage to nutrition and health concerns.

Customer Reviews:

Informative.......2007-03-17

This book is a cyclopedia of how stuff works in the kitchen. It is written in question-and-answer format, addressing numerous kitchen topic, like "Which is better, rock or sea salt?" and "What's wrong with farmed fishes?". The book is divided into chapters addressing cooking equipment, cooking methods, meats, seafood, dairy products, eggs, fruits and vegetables, sauces and thickeners, seasonings, oils and fats, baking, beverages, food storage, health and nutrition, and diets. It includes a list of references for further reading, and index. It is clearly not a cookbook, but there are a few recipes for basic home cooking scattered here and there for illustration of principles.

This book would make a handy kitchen reference. Want to know the different cooking and nutritional properties of various oils? Check the tables found in this book. Trying to choose some new cookware for your kitchen? Read this book, and you'll learn why professional chefs prefer stainless steel pots with copper bottoms for many kitchen tasks. A few topics are covered superficially, such as vegetarian diets, where the author notes that vegetarians can get all essential amino acids through combining different foods at meals, but he doesn't note that getting enough vitamin B12 while avoiding animal products requires extra effort. While most of the information is up-to-date, perhaps a few articles could do with some revisions, such as the entry on taste buds, in which Hillman describes the old theory on the zone distribution of taste buds, which recent research has put into question.

great help.......2006-11-10

Full of a lot of good information for the home cook or chef. Helps to explain why things happan like they do. Helps know some things you may want to change to get the results you want.

Unsophisticated.......2005-04-12

Every book has an intended audience, and if you have a college education - or just enjoyed high school science, and read pop science magazines - then you're probably not in the target group this author aims at.

Despite the glowing reviews it receives from some others, I felt the book dealt with the topics on a high-school "Mr. Science" level, when I was hoping for someone with at least Alton Brown's intelligence.

Very Good Introduction to Kitchen Lore. Not Best Science.......2005-01-08

`The New Kitchen Science' by culinary journalist Howard Hillman is a new edition of a 20 year old book which uses the question and answer format common to a lot of cooking advice books. One small problem is that this format is not the best approach to presenting `science' in that science is a body of theories and explained phenomena the understanding of which facilitates applying knowledge to understanding new situations. So, if a book just answers questions, the ability to extend the answers to new situations may not be as good as other expository approaches. That said, I have to say that like Robert L. Wolke's `What Einstein told His Chef', this book may be more accessible to many readers than other conventional writers on the subject such as Harold McGee's works and `The Science of Cooking' by Bristol University (UK) don Peter Barham.

One thing a widely read foodie may want to consider is that they may have already seen most of the material in this book in the volumes cited above. This is not to say this book does not contain some new material, but a devoted reader of Shirley Corriher and Alton Brown may find this new material a bit sparse.

For the reader with little experience with food science reading, I caution you that there are some statements in this book, which are scientifically incorrect. This may be a small point, since the errors are not likely to interfere with your practical cooking, but they may interfere with your ability to extend your knowledge to new situations, which is the whole point of the scientific inquiry in the first place. The first error I noticed is the statement that when a water / alcohol mixture is boiled, the alcohol will all boil off, leaving just water. One of the first things a freshman chemistry student learns is that this is not true. It is true that more alcohol will evaporate than water, until the alcohol and water attain equilibrium. Admittedly, the alcohol will be reduced to a very small level, but it is still there. This is important if someone has physical or religious problems with any alcohol. The second error I noticed is the use of the term `dissolved' when referring to the mixing of flour with water. The proper term here is `suspension', not `solution'. In some ways, this is a more serious error, as suspensions behave much differently than solutions, and the two states are pervasive in cooking techniques, so it is important to know the differences in behavior between the two states.

After all that nit picking, I can still recommend this as a really worthwhile source of information whereby one can improve your cooking, especially for the reasonable paperback price. One especially valuable feature of this book is the excellent bibliography which gives references for all the authors and works mentioned above except for Alton Brown, and a whole lot more.

If you really need to have fun with your reading about food science, I recommend `The Cook Book Decoder or Culinary Alchemy Explained' by retired Canadian professor of Chemistry, Arthur E. Grosser. This book has the added virtue of being great to pass food knowledge on to kids.

The claim to `science' in this book's title is a bit tarnished, but if you are new to foodie science, this book will give you lots of useful information and tell you how to avoid a lot of kitchen pitfalls.

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The best poodle book I've purchased

Good book if you are in the UK

The first and best poodle book you should read!

Introduced To A Poodle? Buy This Book

The Complete Standard Poodle

The Complete Standard Poodle
Eileen Geeson
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Breeds | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books
Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference (Howell Reference Books)

Poodles (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

The Everything Poodle Book: A complete guide to raising, training, and caring for your poodle (Everything Series)

How to Train Your Poodle (How To...(T.F.H. Publications))

The Essential Poodle (Essential (Howell))

ASIN: 0876056028

Book Description

For the first time, the Standard Poodlethe largest of the three poodle varietieshas a book to itself, concentrating on its history and development, and describing the Standard Poodles charming character and working ability. The Poodles ancient origins are traced, focusing on its role as a waterretriever, and its appeal as one of the most successful of show dogs. There is also valuable advice on puppy training, exercise, coat care and nutrition as well as tips for the first time poodle owner. This wonderful book is illustrated with top-quality color and black and white photographs.Eileen Geeson has been actively involved with Standard Poodles for over thirty years, and has enjoyed considerable success with her Janavons prefix. Ms. Geeson is an international Championship Show judge and is vice chair of the Standard Poodle Club.

Customer Reviews:

The best poodle book I've purchased.......2005-11-15

Gorgeous book! Beautiful color pictures on almost every page. 20 pages dedicated to grooming including a variety of hair styles and all major topics are covered such as health and training. Of all the poodle books I've purchased this is by far my favorite.

Good book if you are in the UK.......2003-09-12

This book is full of wonderful pictures and a complete history of the standard poodle. However, the author is a former show judge in the UK and spends a considerable amount of the book discussing British standards for show. The recommended diet (raw human food) is contrary to what most American vets prescibe. The information on grooming the standard poodle is quite informative and includes pictures of finished cuts. However, it does not include enough information for a novice like me to attempt the trims.

The first and best poodle book you should read!.......2003-03-27

Eileen Geeson does a fabulous job of giving background information pertinent to standard poodle owners. She touches on a broad range of topics, from our emotional attachments to our furkids to puppy-raising information and everything in between. One of the most helpful sections gives warning signs of injuries and diseases prone to standard poodles. The pictures in the book are precious, and Geeson's book is a fluent read.

Introduced To A Poodle? Buy This Book.......2003-01-12

What a wonderful book! I bought my first Poodle and this book was a treasure!

The Complete Standard Poodle.......2002-01-05

An excellent overview of the Standard Poodle that addresses the versatility of the breed from the hunting fields, to the show ring, to work as a therapy dog. It provides excellent tips on responsible ownership and care. Accompanied by beautiful photographs of the many colors available; it is visually pleasing to the eye as well as educational to the mind.

Customer Reviews:

Great Indian Point Reference.......2007-02-09

This is a very helpful reference book to Indian Points. This is a detailed work on how the points were made, what designs were from what region, and dating. This book is recomended for beginners and the experienced collector and a good companion book to "Overstreets Indian Projectile Point Price Guide".

Thought it was great if you want to learn some basic info.......2005-12-13

People who only want to collect artifacts might not like this book since it is not a complete identification guide and does not put monetary values on projectile points. However, if you wish to learn the basic information about what scientific archaeologists have discovered this is a well-written introduction.

Not much here...........2002-04-19

This is a very short read. Not including the preface, introduction and appendices in the back (most of which is a list of museums in various states with collections or information you can look at), the content of the book barely takes up 59 pages. And the information is very, very general. She describes the major periods of North American Indian occupation from Paleo to Archaic, Mississipian, Woodland, etc. Each description takes up about 5-8 pages and includes hand-drawn images of a few projectile points, pottery styles, drills, or axe heads associated with that time frame. Frankly, I found the information to be at the level of a freshman 100 level Archaeology research paper. It's good information for a beginner level but hardly worth paying full book price for. It could benefit from maps showing locations of known archaeological sites representative of the times discussed, sketches of dig sites that might show how burial sites were arranged, housing styles and locations and discuss one or two major archaelogical digs for each time period. As it is, I found the information too general and would suggest that someone interested check out your local library for a book that provides more information (and is free). Or continue your search on Amazon!

Book Description

“Quite appropriate for a novice basketmaker as well as a history buff. The book is timeless, as are the baskets.”—Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot

Every one of these baskets transcends simple usefulness and becomes an object of beauty in its own right. Expert basketmaker and historian John McGuire carefully guides crafters through the process of making seven complete projects, from the recognizable Cat Head Basket to the practical Personal Carrier. The eye-opening manual offers easy-to-follow instructions, with all the basic tools and techniques covered; more than 300 close-up photos; and 24 pages of full-color examples. In addition, it presents an insightful look at the Shaker philosophy, religion, and industries that produced some of the most beautiful handiwork in America. The author lives in Geneva, NY.

Book Description

Medieval churchmen typically defended religious art as a form of "book" to teach the unlettered laity their faith, but in late medieval England, Lollard accusations of idolatry stimulated renewed debate over image worship. Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages places this dispute within the context of the religious beliefs and devotional practices of lay people, showing how they used and responded to holy images in their parish churches, at shrines, and in prayer books. Far more than substitutes for texts, holy images presented a junction of the material and spiritual, offering an increasingly literate laity access to the supernatural through the visual power of "beholding."

Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review) : An article from: Church History

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Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review) : An article from: Church History
Joseph P. Byrne
Manufacturer: American Society of Church History
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Church History, published by American Society of Church History on December 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1150 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review)
Author: Joseph P. Byrne
Publication: Church History (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 2004
Publisher: American Society of Church History
Volume: 73 Issue: 4 Page: 851(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review) : An article from: The Historian

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Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review) : An article from: The Historian
Robert C. Figueira
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2004. The length of the article is 704 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Popular Piety and Art in the Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England, 1350-1500.(Book Review)
Author: Robert C. Figueira
Publication: The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Page: 626(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Popular Piety And Art In The Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England 1350-1500

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Popular Piety And Art In The Late Middle Ages: Image Worship and Idolatry in England 1350-1500
Kathleen Kamerick
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTACUK

Amazon.com

With his bicultural heritage, journalist Philippe Wamba--born of an African American mother and Congolese father and reared in California, Boston, Tanzania, and the Congo--offers an evenhanded and encyclopedic examination of the facts and fictions that have grown on both sides of the Atlantic. "My Blackness has been the bridge that has linked my two identities," he writes, "the commonality that my split selves share." In this exceptional book, Wamba recounts the long history of the African image among black Americans, from the 18th-century Senegal-born slave poet Phyllis Wheatley to Marcus Garvey, the fiery back-to-Africa "race man" of the early 1900s. Across the water, Wamba tells how Africans waited for Afro-Americans to liberate them from colonialism, and how their leaders like Haile Selassie, Kwame Nkrumah, and Patrice Lumumba interacted with their transatlantic brethren. Wamba also recalls how he was treated as a foreigner in Tanzania, the ambivalence his mother received from his paternal relatives, and the idealism that U.S. blacks have of the continent, which at times has led to uncritical support of corrupt dictators like the former Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko (who once imprisoned Wamba's activist father). As he relates how Michael Jackson sneaks Swahili words in his songs while African kids incorporate hip-hop slang into their vocabulary, Wamba lays out the past perils and, ultimately, the future promise of transcontinental black unity. "I have discovered that African Americans and Africans are culturally distinct," he says. "But through the evidence of history and my own personal experience, I have learned that Africans and Black Americans can move beyond their real and perceived differences to celebrate and build on what they share." --Eugene Holley Jr.

Book Description

"A celebratory, affirmative vision of pan-African unity . . . will have broad relevance and personal meaning for every student of the African diaspora."--Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

In this deeply felt, bridge-building book, Philippe Wamba, the son of an African American mother and a Congolese father, uses his fascinating personal background as a lens through which to view three centuries of shared history between Africans and African Americans. It is at once a vividly detailed memoir and a richly researched work of scholarship that deftly weaves accounts of Wamba's multinational childhood in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with enlightening analyses of history, music, literature, religion, and politics.

Whether writing about his dissident father's imprisonment by Zaire's dictator Mobutu Sese Seko or discussing Martin Luther King, Jr., and Michael Jackson, Wamba examines the complexity of relationships within the international black community and tackles misperceptions on both sides of the ocean.

"Wamba writes with the perception of a psychologist and the perspective of an historian . . . persuasive."--Mark Mathabane, The Washington Post Book World

Customer Reviews:

A Truly Controversial Issue!!!.......2005-05-10

I am currently a high school student attending a public school in California. I was born in Senegal west Africa came here when I was nine years old, and believe me I was surprised. In Senegal, the average citizens image of North America is paradise. In reality is it? NO. In America the average Americans image of Africa is a jungle. In reality is it really? NO. So you see, -Kinship- is a book that I would recommend to anyone who refuses to continue growing up being ignorant of an important part of history. Some of the misconceptions Americans have on Africa are really heart-breaking, and those of Africans about Black Americans are also very misunderstood and to help prevent further ignorance I encourage all parents of African/ African-American Children to make it their job to educate their children about the opposite culture, because I believe it is the only tool we have to help us unite as one culture which is "Black or African" just like all white people call themselves "European". Let us not rely on the Discovery Channel and National Geographics because like Malcolm X said: The media has the power to make the guilty innocent and the innocent guilty.

Splendid work.......2005-01-28

It is indeed a superb work by Phillipe. I find this book filled with enlightening facts and ideas, that in one way or another will [or has] help strengthen the black diaspora relations in recent decades. I Was really looking forward reading more work by Mr. P Wamba. May the Lord rest his Soul in Peace.

A book ahead of its time.......2003-08-30

Philippe Wamba's book is a must read for all interested in humanity. Mr. Wamba records history that has been ignored by the world community in an interesting storytelling style. The book is ahead of its time. The author digs deep into the untold stories to examine the cause of division among people, from a global prospective.

Mr. Wamba's rich observation is enhanced by his knowledge of history and a humble way of looking at his personal experiences across continents. In addition, he engages readers with an exemplary family and a coming of age story. The writer parallels his family tale with world history and current events. In the process, he neatly packages information that is not readily available. The book will make you laugh with pleasant stories and cry with cruel tales.

It is a shame how we humans continue to ignore ideas that unite and enlighten us in favor of the old dividing ones, as we keep losing forward thinking leaders before their time - such as Philippe Wamba. The book shows us what type of history we create when we function in this world based on suspicion and ignorance among each other.

How Refreshing! How Thought provoking.......2001-04-07

This book has enlightened me on so many issues affecting the Africans and the African-American communities. As an african living on the american soil, it has opened my eyes to some peplexing complicated behaviours which I observed among our extended family folk for which I lack the history to verbalise it and understand it. Phillipe was placed in unique position to dig deeper into both worlds and find the answers he needed in order to maintain a healthy balance of his dual heritage.What amazes me is the fact that he became properly assimilated into the Tanzanian community its cultures and values, while on the other hand reverse assimilation on his african-american side proved to be a challange "He was still the African cousin"? Its a wonderful book and a job well done.. We will be looking for more literary works from you Phillipe... and be assured in knowing that I am going to recommended this book to every Mwalimu I know.. we will pad your pockets alright!!

Could have been better........2001-04-02

While it was overall a good read I feel the author could have done more with the book than he did. I felt as if I was left hanging. Mr. Wamba, for the most part, only focused on his and other Africans' negative experiences with African-Americans while barely touching on their positive encounters (which I'm sure there are many) outside of the impression African-American pop-culture has made on African youths. Mr. Wamba fails to fully explain the reasons for the hostility African-Americans and African people have for each other. He only mentions it and gives no intelligent explanation or solution. The author gave us little hope that the gap between African and African-American people will ever be bridged. But it's a great book if you want to learn more about African culture.

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