The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life (Paperback)

by Kevin Powell (Author), Hill Harper (Foreword)
Key Phrases: mental wellness, The Black Male Handbook, Redefining Black Manhood, Moving Toward Mental Wellness (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Black Male Handbook is a collection of essays for Black males on surviving, living, and winning. Kevin Powell taps into the social and political climate rising in the Black community, particularly as it relates to Black males. This is a must-have book, not only for Black male readers, but the women who befriend, parent, partner, and love them.

The Black Male Handbook answers a collective hunger for new direction, fresh solutions to old problems, and a different kind of conversation -- man-to-man and with Black male voices, all of the hiphop generation. The book tackles issues related to political, practical, cultural, and spiritual matters, and ending violence against women and girls.

The book also features an appendix filled with useful readings, advice, andresources. The Black Male Handbook is a blueprint for those aspiring to thrive against the odds in America today.

About the Author
Kevin Powell is a writer, educator, and political activist. He is the author of eight books, including the essay collections Who's Gonna Take The Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America and Someday We'll All Be Free, and the poetry volume, No Sleep Till Brooklyn. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Newsweek, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, Ebony, Esquire, Essence, and Vibe, where he served as a senior writer, interviewing and profiling, among many others, Colin Powell, and the late Tupac Shakur. He has been a part of numerous think tanks, studies, seminars, symposiums created with the purpose of discussing the challenges Black males face. He is a 2008 Democratic candidate for the United States Congress in Brooklyn, New York.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Atria (September 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416592245
• ISBN-13: 978-1416592242
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,967 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Great Advice For Black Males To Help Themselves.", April 20, 2009

By	John Hinds "www.thefreewatereport.org" (Newark, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kevin Powell's book, The Black Male Handbook is a collection of essays that provide insight and instruction on how black males can transform their lives from mediocrity and turmoil to success and peace of mind.

I like the fact that the book covers areas such as spirituality, health, finances, mental health, political awarness and relationships. Presenting the information in the form of essays made it an effective and user friendly book.

There were many concepts and recommendations that resonated with me. First, I liked the fact that the first essay talked about establishing a spiritual foundation because that's the key to transforming your life in all other areas. Loved the following quote in the book,

"Spirituality is the manifestation of this divine connection in one's daily life."

Unfortunately too many people don't practice what they preach and I love the fact that this book is focused on changing nonproductive behaviors into life-enhancing ones.

Secondly, I was glad to see that the book discussed redefining black man hood where black men are encouraged to ask for help and to express their feelings. Contrary to popular opinion, getting help is strength, not weakness. More black males need to recognize that.

Further, I was impressed that the contributing authors were men enough to talk about their past mistakes and use them as opportunities to grow.
Kevin Powell's essay was particularly moving. I admire his courage to discuss his story of domestic violence and how he was able to learn from it and to become a better man.

Lastly, I am glad that the book embraces the philosophy of 'each one teach one' and also embraces the attitude of collectively moving forward as a Black Community and being accountable to each other.

This handbook serves as a great guide to helping black men from all walks of life realize their inherent greatness and to walk the Earth as the Kings that they are.

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, Some Solutions are Proposed, May 26, 2009

By	Linda D. Alexander (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this age of "It's all about me", it's great to read a body of work that communicates the cost of "overcoming" for people of color in America. In pursuit of the American dream, something got lost along the way and Kevin Powell has the audacity to "call it out." What got lost was dignity and respect by and for both males and females. What really disappeared was a sense of "community" - that unspoken commradery of being from the same place in the same time, of sharing a season with neighbors, relatives and friends. What got lost was a sense of belonging. This compilation of essays by different men of color from different perspectives and backgrounds speaks to the urgency of the problem. More importantly, practical solutions are offered that have a probability of success. I applaud Mr. Powell for the effort and the desire to be an ambassador of "what should be" and not "what has been".

Linda Alexander